Subjectify doc
subjects & filmmakers
2. to interpret in terms of subjective experience.
3. to consider the conditions of personal views, experience, or background on the internal experience of another.
I know what it's like.
As a documentary filmmaker and subject on a major series, I've experienced being on both sides of the camera firsthand and I understand the complexities involved.
Using ethical practices a foundation for my work, I act as a support system for the relationship between a documentary film's production team and its subjects, especially around sensitive issues and narratives rooted in trauma.
My work is to protect and support the well-being of film participants at every stage of a documentary's life cycle, and I work closely with productions to create the healthiest and most supportive partnership possible.
Here are some of the things I've worked on.
Explain explain explain.
More explaining.
What does a subject consultant do ?
Working directly with production teams, consultants can act as on-call advisors at any stage of a film's life cycle.
Documentaries vary widely in scope (from story structure, length, budget, creative goals, market aspirations, sensitive topics addressed, etc) but coordinators can serve as partners in navigating the complexities of subject relationship management no matter the circumstance.
Subject consultants help explore all of the options available to filmmakers to support their subjects: from crafting actionable goals, mapping ethical guidelines for teams, designing a clear roadmap of important conversations to have, crafting communication with subjects to elicit needs and boundaries, to even setting realistic expectations for subjects' involvement in the storytelling process.
In this scenario, a consultant never even have to communicate with the subjects themselves, acting instead with the team to make sure their actions are in line with their stated goals.
Subject consultants can work as a necessary bridge between production teams and subjects so that filmmakers can focus on what they do best: storytelling. Rather than putting extra pressure on producers to caretake, educate, and facilitate resources for subjects, subject consultants fill in the gaps to keep subjects informed & connected.
Acting as intermediaries between subjects, producers, therapists and legal, consultants can help elicit and communicate the needs of a subject with a variety of teams to make sure they are supported through each chapter of production.
Additionally, consultants can work as educators: preemptively walking subjects through any questions that might arise about the larger production process (from how releases work to crew roles to production timelines) so that directors and producers can focus more fully on their jobs.
While it's not a production's job to teach subjects how things work, having a consultant present to offer insights into the process and connect subjects to valuable resources can go a long way to building trust in the process.
Subjects who are in vulnerable positions or complex legal situations may require special attention, and a coordinator can step in to support them as allies at any stage of the filmmaking process. If they have had a challenging time advocating for themselves to filmmakers or are anticipating the need to negotiate unique terms, consultants work as representatives on their behalf.
Oftentimes, things don't work exactly as planned and communication breaks down between a subject and a production team. When this happens, subjects are particularly at risk of being left with nothing (save for re-traumatization and resentment) should a production fail to support them. Rather than having to turn to prohibitively expensive legal action or exposing themselves through the media to find justice, subjects can find solace in the support of a consultant who can negotiate with production teams to reach a more a desirable outcome.
In this case, subjects can work with consultants directly to explore their options, handle communication with different teams, and help design solutions that will be acceptable to all parties. Consultants then work as a mediator on behalf of the subject, serving as a representative for negotiations so that a subject can get their needs met.
Illustrations.
.svg){kind=icon}
When do I need a consultant?
Before production even begins, there are a variety of considerations to explore with each subject:
- Subject compensation for their time: monetary compensation, production and/or licensing fees, media exchanges, and other barters
- Presence of a therapist: on or offsite support for conversations that could bring up painful memories
- Establishing boundaries and expectations: what participation in the film looks like, collaboration, rough timeline for filming, topic area sensitivity, safe words, contingency plans should something go wrong in an interview or vérite scene
- Long term support: partnering with networks and organizations that work with / provide support for a similar demographic, to gain insights into collaboration and/or help subjects connect with a larger community for long-term support
- Gaining informed consent: navigating talent releases, subjects rights & legal issues
Most often, these considerations fall on the shoulders of directors and producers who don’t have the time, bandwidth, energy, pay-grade, or emotional capacity to outline a plan for supporting a subject through the early chapters in a documentary’s life cycle.
At best, the consequences of carelessness can lead to overall lack of clarity and increase in stress in the lives of both subjects and filmmakers. At worst, subjects are re-traumatized and filmmakers face losing key characters in their films.
Once shooting has commenced, there's a host of concerns that need to be addressed to support a healthy and trusting dynamic between teams and their story partners.
- Clarifying their agency in affecting how their story is portrayed
- Establishing a point person or hotline to call if issues arise while shooting
- Setting aside safe(r) spaces away from shooting areas for subjects to rest and recuperate separate from cameras and/or crews
- Contingencies for subjects in dangerous situations (where shooting might put them in harm’s way)
- Establishing & communicating boundaries of the production team with subjects
While a film principle shooting is underway, filmmakers can feel less motivated to have those awkward-but-necessary discussions with subjects simply out of fear of their subjects reactions.
Instead of avoiding these critical points until they create a problem, a subject consultant can help preemptively facilitate conversations so that each party comes to an agreement on the terms of engagement & leaves feeling heard -- minimizing long term risk & avoiding unhappy surprises down the line.
When editing is underway and a story is in the process of being cut together, it is critical to keep communication active and deepen trust with subjects without the comfort of consistently meetings.
A plan should be made about how you:
- Communicate subjects' roles within the larger film
- Schedule and communicate the rough timing of pre-screenings to subjects (how early, how often, how much input or feedback are they offered)
- Offer support for the pre-screening experience (establishing expectations ahead of time, offering privacy, having close family or friends present)
- Offer subjects realistic opportunity to have input and/or feedback on how their story is portrayed in the edit
- Communicate with production & post-production crew around the impact they have on subjects lives in how they talk about these subjects outside of work, etc.
After principle filming is done, it's easy to lose touch and forget to keep subjects informed of how their story is unfolding. Even if a story is in flux, it's critical to keep them updated, or fears and anxieties around representation and neglect can easily arise, creating potentially hazardous roadblocks for filmmakers.
Of course, every subject will have different needs and desires around communication, but subject consultants can help subjects feel connected to the process, whether or not they're actively being filmed.
When the film is locked and spooled onto the big screen (be it physical or virtual), there is a lot for a subject to process. It's important to understand the challenges that someone might experience when their private lives are displayed to several hundreds (if not millions) of people, and help them talk about their experiences after screenings.
It's vital to:
- Design support systems for whatever emotions might come up (fear, anxiety, overwhelm, excitement, etc)
- Share how you deal with negative press or publicity concerns
- Prepare your subjects to travel to & speak at festivals or screening events
- Address concerns about subjects' communities having access to the film
- Communicate next steps should monetary compensation or endorsement deals come into the picture
Filmmakers have an infinite variety of stressors during the screening, marketing and distribution process, without having to consider the emotional rollercoaster for a subject whose private life is now on public display.
From film festival screenings to large scale distribution, a consultant can help you navigate those confusing conversations around representation.
This is a larger conversation about how you want to be involved in the life of your subject in the long term. Once a film’s life is over, it’s important to communicate how communication will change and the relationship will be much less involved. Filmmakers often never have this conversation, leaving subjects blindsided by the lack of care or interaction after the intensity of a film has come to an end. Consultants can help you make a plan to have these conversations, so that everyone feels like they’re on the same page.
My Clients say.
“Etiam viverra blandit pretium. Ut cursus mauris sit amet odio pharetra, non cursus massa tincidunt.”
“Etiam viverra blandit pretium. Ut cursus mauris sit amet odio pharetra, non cursus massa tincidunt.”
“Etiam viverra blandit pretium. Ut cursus mauris sit amet odio pharetra, non cursus massa tincidunt.”
“Etiam viverra blandit pretium. Ut cursus mauris sit amet odio pharetra, non cursus massa tincidunt.”
“Etiam viverra blandit pretium. Ut cursus mauris sit amet odio pharetra, non cursus massa tincidunt.”
“Etiam viverra blandit pretium. Ut cursus mauris sit amet odio pharetra, non cursus massa tincidunt.”