Documentary Manifesto: Laura Wagner
Faculty in the Diederich College of Communication are committed to providing high quality assignments that are applicable to the professional goals of students.
Professor Dinesh Sabu’s documentary filmmaking class recently submitted their documentary manifestos that will help guide their work as future filmmakers:
“A documentary is a theory of the world wrapped into a film. We want to know your theory of documentary, your theory of the world. What makes a compelling, ethical, engaged work of documentary? What kinds of documentaries do you want to make, and how do you want to be in the world with them? Based on the examples discussed in class, write your own manifesto.”
Senior Laura Wagner shared her manifesto:
- Don’t make content just for the sake of making something. Every project you work on should stem from a seed of inspiration and passion. Simply making things because you feel like you must, will only lead to burn out and disillusionment.
2. Be weird. No idea is a bad idea if thoroughly thought out.
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3. Make content that moves people, starts conversations, and enacts change. Entertainment has the ability to reach audiences in a way that no other form of communication can. Utilize it.
4. That being said: do not use the trauma of others as content. A story can speak on the issue, but exploitation should never be the basis of anything you do.
5. On the other hand, the exploitation of yourself is almost inevitable. You will most likely put all of yourself into what you make. You must be ready to be vulnerable emotionally, mentally, and physically.
6. Do not wait around for an idea, crew, or opportunity to come to you. Go out there.
7. Industry standards and norms should be acknowledged; however, they are not the end all be all. If you don’t like the way that things are normally done, change it. Forge your own path.
8. Knowing and engaging with your subject is infinitely more important than having the highest quality gear. If the audience can’t get into and relate to what you are making, the fact that it’s shot in 4K won’t matter. Something shot on your phone with a compelling subject will definitely mean more to your audience (unless they’re snobs).
9. Don’t fear failing…which is easier said than done. If an idea doesn’t work out? Well now you know what not to do next time. Unfortunately, this business is all about failure.
10. Have fun. If you aren’t enjoying what you are doing or the people you are making things with, then what’s the point?
