tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post2348040158528789632..comments2023-09-26T11:13:44.207-04:00Comments on SpringBoardMedia: FFF - What we can learn from social issue docsBNewmanSBoardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804966250954053044noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-396551145337863692010-04-05T12:08:37.353-04:002010-04-05T12:08:37.353-04:00Ok, now that it's not FFF anymore, I can admit...Ok, now that it's not FFF anymore, I can admit I agree with Dempsey on these two things completely - <br />1. It's frustrating that people only want to fund social issue docs. I've argued elsewhere on this blog that almost any format film can have just as much impact, even if obliquely (and perhaps because of this) than a social issue doc. I don't see this changing soon, so that's why I suggest learning what we can from them for other genres and styles.<br />2. We need to pull away from the social issue doc mindset, aesthetically. I see this all the time - great docs that are judged in terms of social issue doc aesthetics, to their detriment (fests rejecting more experimental docs, or more "fun" docs). I also see many, but not all, docs that aren't aesthetically interesting, but they play the fest circuit (and sometimes get broadcast) just because of the issues. <br />Anyway, good to hear from you Dempsey.BNewmanSBoardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804966250954053044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20539850.post-53434747977706351782010-04-02T12:24:46.409-04:002010-04-02T12:24:46.409-04:00Everything you've said is great Brian... once ...Everything you've said is great Brian... once again! As you know, I'm a doc filmmaker who has made a social issue doc (www.daughterofsuicide.com), but I have to say that I am frustrated by the fact that the only docs people want to fund are social issue docs. It's so much harder to get anyone to pay attention to a story that isn't going to change the world, but that has value and creativity. (www.forgetmenotsdocumentary.com)<br /><br />I don't want to be totally sour grapes, but I do want to know how documentary can pull away from the social issue format some and explore ideas/tell stories for the sake of those stories! <br /><br />Would Grey Gardens get made now?? Maybe, but it would have an entire social issue campaign built around it that focuses on mental illness, caring for the elderly, aging in place, mother/daughter relationships, wealth and family ties... it wouldn't be made just because it is a crazy compelling story!Dempsey Ricehttp://www.dempseyrice.comnoreply@blogger.com