Thursday, March 28, 2013

Reflective: Notes on interacting with the community


Recently, we were assigned to read a paper by Seth Kahn, titled "Putting Ethnographic Writing in Context." His article has some very good points that our group should follow or put to use when dealing with the community we are filming.

First of all is to establish a good trusting relationship between us and the community we are studying. This not only makes the filming process go smoothly but also ensures that their answers and actions would be more natural as they will be comfortable with us around.

Secondly, we should be considerate and protect the identity of the people we interview at all times. The people we interview does have a right to choose which information about themselves they wish to disclose. This why it is very important to include them in the process of making the documentary to avoid accidentally exposing private information and also not misrepresent participants in the documentary.

Lastly, we should also avoid the colonial problem which is filming them for the sake of getting good grades then "leaving the cultures in the same conditions we found them". Participants should receive some reciprocity in return for helping us with our project which could be publicity. Hopefully once our documentary is open to the public, the club will be exposed to potential members who are also passionate about playing LOL and will join the club.

These points are all very basic but at the same time very important as well and must be followed at all times when filming them.  Can't wait for the day to meet them in person! :D

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