Character and Casting
The gift of being entrusted with someone's story, even after their death.
Hi friends,
In documentary films, we sometimes use the word “character” to describe the people featured in the movie. It’s a technique borrowed from fiction, where somebody who wants something propels the narrative arc of many films. In nonfiction, “character” can sound a little manipulative, as though the people at the heart of the film are little more than stereotypes. In general, I prefer the term “participant,” which is a more appropriate description of the role of individuals in a documentary. “Participant” is an egalitarian word that gives agency to the people who have agreed to be filmed, a choice that captures them forever in a particular present moment.