Ethical Question

imgentertainment@mac

imgentertainment@mac

The Reverend
Well I came into an ethical question today, and I wanted to get your guys opinions. I have been working on, and producing a documentary for the past year and a half. I can't really tell you what it is about yet, but will have a trailer up by the end of the month. But what I can tell you is that we are shooting in some high tension situations, with very interesting people. So part of the film and probably the main event that will carry the film from the climax to the end and bare all our conclusions is a fourth of July BBQ with the people we have been following throughout the Doc. So the ethics come into play as everything we have shot up to now has been what has happened in real life, nothing has been added or recreated. We have been shooting what is happening and only scheduling interviews as needed. So we have been totally 100% objectionable and journalistic. This is our intent; to petray the situation as it is happening and not influence it in any way. Now you can argue that by just having us there and with a big bad camera we are influencing the situation. And this is true. But we try not to as much as possible. So now we have this 4th of July BBQ. Now the people we have been shooting are very patriotic and very family oriented. So they are planning to have a get together with every body. But these people are very simple. So it will just be a BBQ with maybe a couple of sparklers for the kids, and one American flag. So here is my question. If we help by doing a little production design, by bringing a couple of flags, some red white and blue ribbons, and center peaces for the tables and some small flags for the kids. Have we changed the situation? Have we influenced the way these people would have celebrated? Are we making them look more patriotic then they really are? Have we now crossed the line of being objectionable? And now are whole goal to have a true journalistic peace of work is thrown out the window because we decided to make it a little better celebration and a little move visually stimulating to shoot? So is this unethical? Dose by bringing props that would maybe not be there normally just to enhance what they are already doing make it a false as a journalistic documentary, and now it is a work of fiction? I know we could argue both opinions of this into the ground and I have the last two days, But I want to know what you guys think.

Thanks Don:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
I would say that if your goal is to portray these as real people, truthfully and even-handedly, then yes, any production design beyond "let's move that ugly chair out of the shot" is sacrificing what you're trying to achieve. If I'm watching your movie, I'm going to look at all those American flags and think, "Wow, those people sure are patriotic!" when in fact you've manufactured that image. I'll never know, and I'm sure it happens all the time, but yes, it would be fundamentally dishonest and manipulative.
 
I agree. Keep it real. If you want to show them as patrotic then get some extra shots of the small decorations they do have or some good shots of the look in their eyes.

Good luck!
 
I totaly agree with dougspice and PK. Personally I thing certain elements of the population have tried their damnedest to make patriotism bad and that ticks me off however, as you are making a documentary you do not want to do anything to influence what is going on in front of the camera nor do you want to selectively edit to create a video that is not true to what is really happening. In other words, you should not want your work to be perceived as setup and fiction like a certain other person that calls his work documentaries. Documentaries should only show what is going on, not try to form someones opinion.
 
Could it be, if these people are very patriotic, that the patriotic centerpieces and other items intended to improve the visuals might also have the effect of making these people alter their behavior in some way, e.g. become more emotional?
 
imgentertainment@mac said:
But these people are very simple. So it will just be a BBQ with maybe a couple of sparklers for the kids, and one American flag.
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Then this is also saying who they are. Why would you want to change that?
 
If you want to stay truly objective and 100% journalistic, then bringing extra flags and such to their picnic is a "no no" Let them be and enjoy the day
JD
 
I think it'd be ok to introduce as many firecrackers as you'd want into the scenario though. Fireworks Rule!
 
I'm with the rest. Adding the background will effect the viewers depictions, as well as the subject. Show who they are. Use what you have to portray the image. If there is one flag up, well find a very unique way of portraying that flag and your subjects. It will feel more real to you and the viewer, and not give the subjects any reason to act up because you went to all this trouble to change things. If you have gone this far, follow through to the end. You will be happy you did. Use what you have, but use it well.
 
PK Gillock said:
I agree. Keep it real. If you want to show them as patrotic then get some extra shots of the small decorations they do have or some good shots of the look in their eyes.

Good luck!
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Awesome advice! Show us why THEY are patriotic.
 
For a really interesting technique, why not bring guns and explosives to the mix? Also, do a really condesending cut of the the doc so far and show it to them AFTER you pass out the guns and explosives. NOW THAT WOULD BE A HELL'UVA ENDING!!!


Notice: Above is TOTALLY irony!
 
Thanks guys. I have been going back and forth on this. I don't want to change anything about these people or how they choces to celebrate. If anything it more wanted to enhance the atmosphere for them. But I totally 100% agree and it is always best just to be a fly on the wall.
 
I'm almost as patriotic as they come, but I have agree with the majority of the opinions here. To introduce any props will subconsciously compromise the integrity of what you are shooting.
 
imgentertainment@mac said:
. . . If we help by doing a little production design, by bringing a couple of flags, some red white and blue ribbons, and center peaces for the tables and some small flags for the kids. Have we changed the situation? Have we influenced the way these people would have celebrated? Are we making them look more patriotic then they really are? Have we now crossed the line of being objectionable? And now are whole goal to have a true journalistic peace of work is thrown out the window because we decided to make it a little better celebration and a little move visually stimulating to shoot? So is this unethical? . . . But I want to know what you guys think.
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Don,

For what it's worth, you're shooting a documentary. This isn't a Michael Moore-style satire, is it? If you're truly shooting a documentary and capturing reality with as little interference as possible, then don't interfere. Let your subjects be. :)
 
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