Transcript Documentary Film Production

Tutoring Session with e-GLO Graduates
and Earth Charter Representatives
Journalism, propaganda, ethics,
documentary, and interview
techniques
Douglas F. Williamson
Earth Charter Global
Learning Opportunity 3
November 23, 2010
Ethics
 We have the moral obligation to
report and present information and
news fairly
 SPJ - Code of Ethics
Journalism vs. Propaganda
 Journalism is publishing what
someone doesn't want us to know,
the rest is propaganda. -Horacio
Verbitsky, journalist (b. 1942)
 Advocacy
 Presenting opinion based
information
Interviewing - pre-interview
 Getting the information you want in the
way that you want it
 Thinking about final products before
beginning interviews
 Preparing questions and follow-up
questions before the interview
 Preparing releases and getting rights
 Know your equipment/media for
recording
The interview
 Establishing trust and creating a cordial
interview environment
 Setting up your recording equipment
and getting best quality
 Helping interviewees answer how you
want and need them to answer
 Asking for repetition and rephrasing
 Third-person interviews and the
advantages of perceived impartiality
Making a point with your
material
 Using interview material to support
an argument, selective use
 Promoting a specific social agenda
with interview material
 Being fair to interviewees
 Editing, polishing, branding,
marketing, distribution
Examples
 Feather Project, 1st person
 A couple of interviews of mine, 3rd
person
Thanks!
e-GLO people, you rule!