A discussion of ethics in documentary making is a bi-annual tradition at the Australian International Documentary Conference. ScreenHub’s Andrew Einspruch reports on the session chaired by ScreenHub Editor, David Tiley.
Documentary is a hands-on affair. The filmmaker goes into a situation, observes, harvests the story, then moves on. In some cases, like a constructed reality show, participants are put in situations that cause them to undergo a change – or not. In any case, people’s lives are affected, for good or ill. And the documentary maker is faces with responsibilities both before and after their work goes to air.
