Making a doc without direct interviews?

[TwistedLincoln]

How would one go about making a documenatry exposing the bad activities of a company or industry, without being able to get any direct interviews?

For a (totally made up) example:

Let's say that a local store intentionally failed to fully train its sales people about the products they sell, so that those sales people could "honestly" provide incorrect information to customers and thus sell more product for the company. The sales people refuse to be interviewed, and deny they are misleading customers.

How would one make a documentary about this? The first logical thing that comes to mind would be to pose as a customer with a hidden camera, and expose the sales people telling lies. But would simply blurring their faces and changing their voices be enough to cover oneself from liabiltiy?

Assuming that the company in this example isn't doing anything illegal (just unhethical), what kinds of ways could one create such a documentary without getting themselves into legal hot water?

Yes, I know, talk to a lawyer. Any suggestions besides that? The idea I have is in its very early stages, so it doesn't make sense to pay a lawyer if the idea isn't going anywhere anyway.

 

[Zak Forsman]

maybe seek out a legitimate customer who has been affected by these practices and tell their story?

 

[mburgh]

How would one go about making a documenatry exposing the bad activities of a company or industry, without being able to get any direct interviews?

For a (totally made up) example:

Let's say that a local store intentionally failed to fully train its sales people about the products they sell, so that those sales people could "honestly" provide incorrect information to customers and thus sell more product for the company. The sales people refuse to be interviewed, and deny they are misleading customers.

How would one make a documentary about this? The first logical thing that comes to mind would be to pose as a customer with a hidden camera, and expose the sales people telling lies. But would simply blurring their faces and changing their voices be enough to cover oneself from liabiltiy?

Assuming that the company in this example isn't doing anything illegal (just unhethical), what kinds of ways could one create such a documentary without getting themselves into legal hot water?

Yes, I know, talk to a lawyer. Any suggestions besides that? The idea I have is in its very early stages, so it doesn't make sense to pay a lawyer if the idea isn't going anywhere anyway.

I would urge to see Michael Moore's "Roger and Me," which is mainly about his inability to get interviews, but is a great portrait of Flint Michigan, which demonstrates his point better than talking heads could.