Beyond the frame: researching documentary ethics

Abstract

Questions of ethics remain central to documentary practice and scholarship. In spite ofthe growth of literature dealing with the subject, documentary ethics remains a fieldcharacterised by a focus on crises and the application of multiple ethical theories andconcepts. This discussion considers the empirical study of documentary practice as afoundation for ethical discussion. Give the changing nature of documentary it issuggested that a notion of good practice can best be developed by considering theexperiences of those involved.Beyond the Frame is an ongoing research project that seeks to understand theexperience of documentary participants and the relationship they develop withdocumentary filmmakers. As more filmmakers embrace interactive modes ofdocumentary the relationship they develop with participants becomes critical to ethicaldiscussion. This paper will present the results of studies completed to date and outlinesome future directions.