To Pitch or to Pee: Say What? Re-learning how to Speak “Documentary”

Language can be a confusing animal. Many, many words have different meanings in different contexts, and the definitions or specific uses are unique to the place you are in or the people you are speaking with. While this shows just how versatile and complex language is, it can also present a sizable barrier to communication.

Why are we talking about this here? Because it can become an issue within community organizing and activism, when we use words and shorthand within a group whose deeper meanings are not readily available to an outsider. This can alienate the very people we are trying to reach.

How these many nuances of language can play a role in documentary film-making is something that Fernanda Rossi explores in her article “Say What? Re-learning How to Speak ‘Documentary’”. Fernanda is a creative force in the documentary field, and was a big support to me while I was finishing “The Line.” Go ahead and give her wonderful article a read!

Tags: activism, documentary, Fernanda Rossi, film making, language