"Directing" your subjects

C

custerc

Well-known member
...for those of you working on documentaries, to what extent do you do this, or feel it's appropriate? Obviously it can depend on the film and the subject, but for example, would you....

  • Ask a subject to say something you want them to say?
  • Ask a subject to repeat or rephrase something they said (NOT in an interview)?
  • Ask a subject to do something they aren't naturally doing at the moment so you can get a shot of it?
  • If the subject is facing a choice in their own life that also affects your film, offer them advice?
  • Ask subjects to reenact something pivotal that happened that you didn't get on tape, or that you want from another angle?

In my film so far, I've been taking a very hands-off approach, and trying my best to basically be a fly on the wall. But I'm wondering if that isn't sort of pointless. Still, I'd feel uncomfortable doing a couple of the things in the list above. How do you all feel about it, and why?
 
custerc said:
  • Ask a subject to say something you want them to say?
  • Ask a subject to repeat or rephrase something they said (NOT in an interview)?
  • Ask a subject to do something they aren't naturally doing at the moment so you can get a shot of it?
  • If the subject is facing a choice in their own life that also affects your film, offer them advice?
  • Ask subjects to reenact something pivotal that happened that you didn't get on tape, or that you want from another angle?

In my film so far, I've been taking a very hands-off approach, and trying my best to basically be a fly on the wall. But I'm wondering if that isn't sort of pointless. Still, I'd feel uncomfortable doing a couple of the things in the list above. How do you all feel about it, and why?
Click to expand...

One of the most important things in documentary, content-wise, is asking the right questions. to address your specific points here...
#1 - ideally you dont WANT them the say anything other than their own truth
#2 - nothing wrong with this . i will often say something like 'ealrier we were talking about xyz, can you tell us a little more about that?'
#3 - i would wait for the moment when they ARE doing it so I could get a shot of it, but if a subject is there because they are cooperating with you, most would be willing to help you get a shot of anything you need, so like if you know they typically do something in the course of their day and it didnt happen today, you can ask them to show you how they do it.
#4 - This is the trickiest one. obviously you are not there to CHANGE the story, but on the other hand if you engage them in a discussion about an issue that is important to them you will elicit a better understanding of their choice.
#5 - this goes back to number 3. Again, if they are cooperating with you, most people will be more than happy to give you what you need. They want it to look good too.


A lot of this depends on the specifics of the project.Overall I would say, remember the Prime Directive from Star Trek, which is basically to not interfere. But that never stopped them from getting INVOLVED.
 
I actually think this could be a nice debate. I'm about to do my first little documentary about a local attraction. Just a short one 5-10 min. or so. But already the ideas are flowing through my head. The ones that I'm most concerned with at the moment is how to ask the right questions to get the "story" rather than just some yes, no and rambling answers.

I remember from basic interviewing techniques ( very very very basic...) that I should always try to start my questions with "wh-" words like which, what, why, when, where, because that forces the subject to give more in-depth answers.
However, what is the next step from this. How does one get under the skin of the subject and make them feel comfortable enough to open up and share what they really feel? This is for me where the magic happens. When you see someone talking about something they not only like doing, but also are comfortable sharing with others, and indeed to a camera....

Would love to hear you experienced guys input on this :)
 
For all the time on these boards spent on gear discussion, THIS is really the magic of making a documentary. I'd love to hear everyone's techniques on eliciting emotional and powerful responses while in front of a camera.

IMO, if you have this technique perfected, gear doesn't matter a whole lot.
 
I agree... and I think that the challenges I have with achieving this ability has also been the cause of my obsession with gear in the past.

I think I can share a third party story that might offer somewhat of an idea.

My colleague at my full-time photography job has for the last few months being going to an institution for criminally insane people. People who are basically confined for life because they are too dangerous to keep outside. He said that it took a few trips down there before he was able to take some photos that mattered. At first he would be walking around with a chaperone, but that didn't quite get him close to the "inmates". Then he walked around alone with an alarm attached to his belt, but still no effect.
It wasn't till he let go, and just came as he was...
What I deduct from that, is that to achieve the initial trust from a subject, you have to align yourself with them. When I think about how my own reaction would be if some smart ass photographer came up to me and wanted to ask me questions or use me in a film /documentary, I would be withdrawn, but if he was down to earth, played down the seriousness of the shoot, and try to talk to me in my tone of voice, speed and listen to me, I would be more inclined to stick with the program.

However, even though this might be true, I feel I really need some people skills to improve on this. It's damn hard in my opinion and I really envy those who can just walk up to someone and start talking about this and that :)
 
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