Conceiving the DATA-PSST! Documentary
Dyfrig Jones
Bangor University
Over almost
two years, we have discussed a huge range of issues related to privacy and the
use of data, bringing together a broad sweep of theoretical perspectives. As we
approach the end of the DATA-PSST! series, the production of a short
documentary film presents a number of challenges. Simply reflecting the
opinions expressed during the seminars would, I suspect, be a relatively easy
task. Interviews would be arranged with key participants, sound-bites elicited,
and the whole thing could be tied together with shots of us deep in discussion.
Such a film would do little more than tick a box, however. It would be a vanity
piece, a mirror in which we could see ourselves at our cleverest and most
interesting – but of little interest to anyone else.
From the outset,
DATA-PSST has sought to engage with non-academics who have an interest in this
field. The aim of the film is to expand this circle further, not only drawing
in policy-makers and opinion formers, but also the general public.
Co-ordinating the work, and taking it from concept to screen is my
responsibility, but the film should be a collective endeavour. To try and steer
me in the right direction, I would appreciate it if we could, during this final
seminar, briefly discuss some of the following questions:
· What are the key ideas that need to be
expressed? How do we distil five days of discussion into ten minutes of film,
without being (overly) reductive?
· How can these ideas be turned into
narratives? Good documentaries usually show, rather than tell. Think about the real-world implications of
your ideas, and how these can be put on screen.
· How will this work visually? We need to avoid
being overly reliant on interviews; this should be more than series of position
statements in video form.
· How do we appeal to the general public? What
will make people share this video with their friends?
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