Participant Care

When you are making a film with a goal of social impact, participants’ involvement can include active participation in the impact campaign. The same ethical considerations that applied during production apply to the campaign: do your best to avoid harm.

Peace is Loud has created a series of free resources — developed through consultation with film participants — to support you to prioritize the health and well-being of the participants in your film. They have identified 8 “key strategies” to employ, which apply to the impact campaign as well.

Transparency regarding your intentions for the campaign
Consent that is ongoing and informed through your transparency
Care that is reflected in your respect, sensitivity, and willingness to adjust to meet participants’ needs
Support for participants’ emotional well-being
Intentionality regarding representation
Accessibility so participants can engage fully
Potential compensation for participants’ time and other contributions
Ongoing support

There may be times when your film’s participants may be expected to retell their story. When that story includes experiencing or witnessing trauma it can be triggering. Sometimes, audiences expect participants to be vulnerable or they feel entitled to ask questions that push participants outside of their comfort zone. Participants should be encouraged and supported to maintain boundaries, refusing to answer questions or engage in exchanges that are uncomfortable for them, without apology.

Of course, there are limits to what you can do to safeguard participants against harm. But you can do your best by empowering them with the truth and, as a team, planning ahead.