REPRESENTATION, DRAMATIZATION, AND RELATIONSHIPS: A CASE
STUDY AS IT PERTAINS TO COMMON THEMES IN DOCUMENTARY
FILMMAKING
Quito, Ecuador
ETHICAL REPRESENTATION
Representation plays a key role in the message that is delivered to audiences, and also depicts the lives of participants in the film.
RQ1: Was the participant in the film portrayed in an ethical manner? | Survey Analysis
Findings: It was determined that the director acted responsibly in representing Silvia and that Silvia was represented in an ethical manner.
DRAMATIZATION
Documentary filmmakers have one main target in mind: to engage the audience. By presenting the truth in more ways than pure documentation,
documentaries allow viewers to have brand new experiences.
RQ2: What was the perceived impact of the dramatization used in the film? | Survey Analysis
Findings: 89 percent of viewers believed the film had a positive impact on the film, 81 percent believed the dramatization was used in a proper
manner.
RELATIONSHIPS
There are two main things that determine the nature of a filmmaker-participant relationship: power and trust
RQ3: What elements influenced the filmmaker-participant relationship the most? | Survey Interview
Findings: The crewmembers stated that trust was one of the major influencing factors while filming the documentary. Also, it was clear early on
in the production process that there was a power struggle between the filmmakers and the organization’s management.
CONCLUSIONS
1.  Though the field of documentary filmmaking may seem like a simple one, it is very much complex, with numerous layers. Because
of its nonfictional culture, it is set apart from the rest of the film industry. It has its own set of rules, perspectives, and practices.
2.  Each of the three themes plays a significant role in reaching the audience. Every theme discussed in this thesis can be related back to
the viewers. The topics of ethics, dramatization, and relationships all have an impact on the film and its audience.
3.  Perhaps the most effective way to understand the practice of documentary filmmaking is to practice it. Applying the rules and
common actions to a real-world scenario is an effective way to learn about the industry
Author: Kaila Taylor, M.S. TV Management