Behind the Lens: Why Participant Care Must Be the Pillar of Documentary Filmmaking

Jessie Buttafuoco, MA Media Psychology, Jessiebuttafuoco.com

Every documentary filmmaker knows the power of a good story, but too often, we forget that real lives sit behind those stories. In the pursuit of “raw emotion” or “authentic moments,” filmmakers may unintentionally re-traumatize or exploit their participants. Peace is Loud’s Participant Care initiative calls for a re-imagining of documentary ethics... one that treats participants not as “subjects,” but as partners whose wellbeing matters as much as the final cut.

“Participant care isn’t charity — it’s accountability.” — Peace is Loud, 2024

Why Participant Care Matters

Documentaries shape how the world sees people. When participants open their lives, they risk stigma, exposure, or emotional harm. True participant care protects that vulnerability.

• Respect and dignity: People are not story material; they are co-authors of their own narratives.

• Power dynamics: Filmmakers have institutional and creative power — participants often don’t. Ethical filmmaking seeks to level that field.

• Emotional impact: Reliving trauma can be destabilizing. Filmmakers have a responsibility to prepare, check in, and follow up.

• Trust and integrity: A filmmaker’s credibility rests on how they treat the people behind their stories.

How the Industry Falls Short

Many documentaries and docu-series, especially in the true crime and reality genres, prioritize drama over dignity. Peace is Loud’s research found widespread gaps in care:

• Consent as a checkbox — signed once, never revisited.

• After-care ignored — participants are left unsupported once cameras stop rolling.

• Exploitation of trauma — emotional pain is treated as entertainment.

• Power imbalance — participants have no editorial voice, often learning about narrative framing only at release.

Building a Duty of Care Plan

Peace is Loud’s Participant Care Guide outlines a concrete framework all filmmakers can follow. Think of it as a “safety net” ... not just for participants, but for the entire production team.

a. Before Filming

• Conduct an emotional risk assessment.

• Discuss expectations openly — time, topics, distribution, and potential audience reach.

• Offer participants a clear opt-out process.

• Integrate participant care into the budget — therapy sessions, breaks, or liaison support aren’t “extras.”

b. During Filming

• Schedule check-ins with participants throughout production.

• Allow pauses or scene refusals without penalty.

• Maintain transparency about how footage will be used.

• Provide access to a trauma-informed care advocate on set.

c. After Filming

• Offer a debrief session — emotionally and informationally.

• Share updates about release and audience response.

• Provide referrals to mental health resources or peer-support networks.

• Respect requests for anonymity, redaction, or limited release.

Get your Duty of Care Plan Template Here

Shared Authority in Storytelling

Ethical filmmaking reframes the participant not as a subject of study but as a partner in meaning-making.

• Invite participants to review footage of themselves.

• Ask for input on tone and representation.

• Offer credit and compensation.

• Include them in post-release screenings or community events.

The Impact Beyond the Edit

Participant care doesn’t end when the film wraps, it continues through release and public reception. Consider:

• Will the participant face online harassment or re-traumatization?

• Can they access support when the film premieres?

• Are they celebrated, not sensationalized?

How Audiences Can Help

Viewers also shape the ecosystem. Ask:

• Does this film honor participants’ agency?

• Are they treated as full humans or as story devices?

• Do I support filmmakers who model ethical practice?

Care Is Creativity

Participant care is not a limitation; it’s liberation. It deepens trust, enriches storytelling, and ensures the filmmaking process heals instead of harms. As Peace is Loud reminds us, care must be as intentional as the camera angle. The next era of documentary filmmaking won’t just show truth; it will honor those who live it.

** This blog is inspired by "Shine a Light: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Creating a Duty of Care Plan"

Co-created by Margie Ratliff and Stephanie Palumbo., this resource guides filmmakers through the process of establishing a Duty of Care Plan with documentary film participants. This offering is in response to a growing need from the filmmaking community and the people at the heart of their stories to imagine safer and more equitable relationships with one another