2 Ways To Make Sure You’re Not Exploiting a Story

I decided to address a topic that has been on my heart a long time and recently has come up with a new project I'm working on with a local nonprofit: 

EXPLOITING STORIES

When I say exploiting a story, what comes to mind?

For me it’s nonprofit stories that make you feel pity for the person who has no food, or is in dire situations. It has images of sad people accompanied by somber music.

Kind of like the dog rescue commercials showing those sad puppy dog faces while a Celine Dion song is playing… it’s manipulative to make you feel bad or guilty so you’ll take action.

I’ve seen a lot of stories being done this way, especially in the nonprofit world, and it’s put a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. It’s especially hurtfulfor the ones who’s stories are being exploited; they see that video where they’re made to look helpless and pathetic and it kills their self-esteem.

It's not a new thing, but it is something that's hurtful and not okay to do, even if your intentions are the best.  It actually can be an easy trap to fall into if you're not careful. 

So these are the 2 things I do to make sure I'm not being unintentionally exploitive: 

1. Making the character relatable (seeing them at eye-level)

Instead of representing our interviewee or character as someone who is pitiful or helpless, I make sure they are represented as relatable human beings. Even if their circumstances and situation is very different, the viewers can still relate to their feelings about their struggles. 
We want to make sure we're seeing the character on the same level, not looking down on them like we're the heroes that should save them. 

2. Being super intentional in all the pre-pro and story development

Mainly lots of clear communication with the whole team. The nonprofit I'm working with for this project I mentioned know the interviewee much better than I do. They have developed a personal relationship with that person. So I make sure I learn from them, and communicate my ideas clearly so that we're 100% sure the interviewee isn't going to be misrepresented. 
The more intentional you are in the planning, the less surprises at the end. ;) 


And that's it! I apply these 2 principles and I can feel confident that I'm not being exploitive in my storytelling, while also not being afraid to show the conflict and hard parts of the story. Because shying away from conflict isn't the solution either. 

Hope that's helpful!! :)