Documentary filmmaking carries a unique emotional weight. Unlike scripted narratives, real people and real stories are at the center of the process, often involving trauma, vulnerability, and complex power dynamics. This 90-minute workshop explores how filmmakers can approach their craft with both artistry and care, ensuring that participants, crews, and storytellers are supported throughout the production cycle. Participants will gain tools for managing their own wellbeing while navigating challenging subject matter, and frameworks for engaging with contributors in ways that minimize harm and prioritize consent. Through real-world case examples, we will examine the invisible toll of long-term vérité projects, the emotional aftermath of screenings, and the secondary trauma often experienced by editors and field teams.

Attendees will leave with a Participant Care Planning worksheet, a Risk vs. Containment chart, and a Wellness Timeline for production phases that can be adapted to their own projects.

This session is ideal for independent filmmakers, producers, directors, editors, and students working in nonfiction storytelling who are committed to balancing truth-telling with care.

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