1. What does the author mean by documentaries of "wish fulfillment" and "social representation"? How are they similar? Different?
The author refers to fictional films by "wish fulfillment" and non-fictional films by "social representation." Both tell a certain truth about life and society, but the truth in fictional films is constructed and made believable by the story of the film. Non-fictional films also contain truth, but it is told through real accounts and real people. By the non-fiction label, people are more inclined to take the message seriously. These two are similar in that they both convey a message about society, but they are different in that one contains a script with paid actors and the other with people who are not actors and no script, just real life.
2. With regards to an on-camera subject, what is the difference between performing in a fictional role and being a part of a non-fictional film? Can the lines between actor and subject blur? In what way?
An actor is a person that is paid to act as the director wishes them to, while a subject is not supposed to act in a specific way, but just be their normal selves. This line can blur however, because the subject may "act" differently in front of a camera.
3. What are some of the social/ethical responsibilities documentary filmmakers need to consider with regards to their subjects?
The filmmaker needs to consider how their film is going to cause the subject to be viewed by other people. They need to be aware of anything that could incriminate or just embarrass the subject and warn them accordingly.
4. With regards to the "I Speak about Them to You" dynamic, what role can the director play with regards to the documentary? For example, objective versus subject?
The director can play the role of "I", being the speaker, the one making the film to tell others about a subject, or they can also be the subject themselves, telling the audience in an autobiographical manner. Or, the director can be detached altogether and tell the audience about the subject, but it's not them directly who is doing the telling (by use of narrator, etc.).
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