WEEK 2

In a documentary filmmaking situation, what might a filmmaker do that would change them from a “fly on the wall” to a “hornet that stings”?

In documentaries often a less involved approach is better, just following the action letting it happen as the filming is done. This often means that the documentary shows a more realistic version of the subject. Seeing the honest work as it naturally happens, however changing that approach also may enable the filmmakers to get the most out of the subject. For example asking them questions may force the subject to go deeper into the topic or explore something further than they would have done.

I think that both approaches are very helpful when documenting people and what they are doing. A less invasive approach helps as the audience can see the truth and see without interference on what the subject should or shouldn’t say.

A more invasive approach is helpful to get information that the subject otherwise wouldn’t give if they were left to say what they wanted. This means that the filmmaker can ask pressing questions to get deeper answers.