Nichols Ch 2 (p 29-47: Whole Chapter)

I find documentary ethics endlessly interesting. Not because the ethics are grey, but because the execution of ones ethics is incredibly intricate and varies in different circumstances. How to properly inform a subject of the consequences of a documentary while maintaining the authenticity of the environment one is filming in can be incredibly complicated. Further complicating this circumstance, the documentarian does not know how the documentary will be received or how it will change the subjects life. Thus, giving broad but honest assessments of what is within the power of the documentarian and what they can expect from different success rates is crucial.

How do different documentarians set expectations with their subjects?

How do the expectations and conversations alter between different modes of documentary?

How have the courts favored recently in documentary cases?

What are examples of documentarians who have been dishonest?

How can we overcome skepticism and concern from subjects?