Of Special Interest: Producers

“The most immediate benefit of community-based outreach is that you see the impact your film can have. You see other people moved by, inspired by, bothered by something you made. Usually when your film’s on TV, you don’t get to see that. Secondly—these documentaries actually can make a big difference. But often they don’t because they’re seen in such a dispersed, unmanaged, unfacilitated way. Individuals don’t ordinarily have the opportunity to process, in a facilitated dialogue, what they’re seeing. Outreach can make that happen.” Macky Alston, independent documentary filmmaker
Macky Alston, independent documentary filmmaker

If the purpose of making documentaries is, as Macky Alston suggests to “move, inspire, and bother” audiences about important social issues, then outreach is what coordinates audience response- allowing viewers to process what they’ve seen, and when appropriate, take action in their communities. Making Television Matter shows how sophisticated outreach plans ensure that films make a difference in the lives of individual viewers and communities on a national scale. It also shows that for an outreach plan to succeed, filmmakers must take an active role in alliances with non-profit organizations, broadcasters and funders.

We recommend that filmmakers and producers read the following chapters (if they don’t have time to review the entire site):

“Outreach at the community level, it’s like the best of both possible worlds. You get to make a film and then you get to see reaction to it. In community groups or schools or prisons, for example, you can see what is working for them, and what is not. It’s very valuable. It doesn’t necessarily change your opinion about the choices you’ve made, but it does influence your choices for future films.” Judy Richardson, independent filmmaker and educational trainer
Judy Richardson, independent filmmaker and educational trainer



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				“The most immediate benefit of community-based outreach is that you see the impact your film can have. You see other people moved by, inspired by, bothered by something you made. Usually when your film’s on TV, you don’t get to see that. Secondly—these documentaries actually can make a big difference. But often they don’t because they’re seen in such a dispersed, unmanaged, unfacilitated way. Individuals don’t ordinarily have the opportunity to process, in a facilitated dialogue, what they’re seeing. Outreach can make that happen.” Macky Alston, independent documentary filmmaker If the purpose of making documentaries is, as Macky Alston suggests to “move, inspire, and bother” audiences about important social issues, then outreach is what coordinates audience response- allowing viewers to process what they’ve seen, and when appropriate, take action in their communities. Making Television Matter shows how sophisticated outreach plans ensure that films make a difference in the lives of individual viewers and communities on a national scale. It also shows that for an outreach plan to succeed, filmmakers must take an active role in alliances with non-profit organizations, broadcasters and funders. We recommend that filmmakers and producers read the following chapters (if they don’t have time to review the entire site): Introduction Chapter 1: A High Impact Television First The Getting to the Heart of the Matter Campaign Chapter 2: The Television Race Initiative Sparking Dialogue That Can Lead to Action Chapter 4: Positive: Life with HIV When a Film Doesn't Receive National PBS Broadcast Chapter 5: Filmmakers with Purpose An Interview with the Producers of The Heart of the Matter Case Studies “Outreach at the community level, it’s like the best of both possible worlds. You get to make a film and then you get to see reaction to it. In community groups or schools or prisons, for example, you can see what is working for them, and what is not. It’s very valuable. It doesn’t necessarily change your opinion about the choices you’ve made, but it does influence your choices for future films.” Judy Richardson, independent filmmaker and educational trainer