Therapeutic Interventions in Documentary

Have you weighed the passion and integrity you hold for your documentary making against your own emotional and financial stability, asking yourself, will it all be worth it in the end? Little research has been carried out into the impact of documentary making on our mental health, yet voices are beginning to emerge that are recognizing that the emotional risks involved may be significant. Drawn to universal stories of epic proportions, we are looking to transform the way we see the world and to make positive change, but we are often exposed to trauma, suffering and pain in the process. The fragile nature of the varying types of relationships we maintain throughout the cycle of filmmaking is rarely discussed and filmmakers and producers may often feel that they are playing the role of a part-time therapist, friend or agent to those who open and expose their lives to us. Our reward for this work is the feeling of making a difference and of giving a voice to the voiceless; yet rarely does it sustain us in making our own living and it often comes at varying degrees of personal cost.

This frank and intimate panel will present a mix of personal experiences from producers and directors within the industry, chaired by documentary producer and psychotherapist, Rebecca Day. Participation from the audience is welcome.

Sponsored by ITVS

No Press.