Being Quote by Kevin Macdonald
“In some ways, making documentaries is like being a journalist. You interview people and then use the bits you want to use as opposed to the bits they want you to use.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Documentary Filmmaking Insights, 2010
Documentary work mirrors journalism: interviewing subjects and selectively shaping material to tell a story, often contrary to participants’ preferences.
In simple terms: Documentaries involve interviewing and editing to craft a narrative.
Key Takeaway
Edit interviews to serve your story.
Themes
journalism
storytelling
ethics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
creative
ethical
When to use this quote
- film production
- news reporting
- content curation
- creative editing
Key Concepts
media studies
narrative construction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance truth and narrative?
- What ethical lines are crossed in editing?
A Different Perspective
Selective editing can misrepresent subjects’ truths.
