Have you participated in a documentary? Did you regret it?

[takenitall]

I'm thinking about participating in a documentary and wanted to know your thoughts. Have you done it and regretted it? Were you represented accurately?

Yes, for quite a long time. It was tough at times and there was harsh editing to fit with their agenda/narrative. However, as it was a long term project, after the first few programmes we were allowed to veto anything we particularly objected to ( career threatening stuff, not just vanity) which we used very little, but was reassuring.

I don't regret it but I'm not sure I'd do it again in the social media age, I think the comments would hurt me too much.

I haven’t but I think it would depend very much on the type of documentary it was.

What was the documentary about or do you feel uncomfortable to say?
Yes I am concerned as well about being represented not very well.
This would be for a one off documentary on something to do with medication.
I have some pretty unusual circumstances and I wanted to share my thoughts on something that means a lot to me.

I was on a long term fly on the wall documentary, rather not be more specific. So cameras followed me and a number off other people, on and off, for years.

I think just a short interview on something factual would be ok. I've been interviewed on other things and had no problems.

I have or channel 4. It was about pregnancy In the over 40’s. I was represented fairly. Would do it again if I had enough say over how it was shown.

Things I'd think about before deciding would be. What's the story the director will be trying to tell, and where do you fit in with it? How high profile will the programme be? What other stuff have the director/production company done- does it seem sensationalist? Would you like the programme to be made and to pass on your experiences for the benefit of others? Are you happy and comfortable about being on TV?

It's for ITV tonight
I am comfortable to be on TV and I honestly feel my message is worth sharing
It's about pain killers and their epidemic

I have been on a BBC year long study into employment in the age of austerity, it was OK and for me wasn't a huge commitment, and I was represented as I wanted to be. We had the chance to provide written updates so that producers could choose who to focus on for an update, and luckily I only featured once as an interview (I hate public speaking). I was involved in the accompanying website more heavily.

I'll speak to the producer and get more of a feel for it

This information is all really helpful thank you everyone

I have, it was for a documentary on a subject I specialise on at work

It was for BBC1 so a lot nicer / more serious than reality type tv channels. I was represented fairly but I did want to be quote checked for specific tbings and I still wasn’t 100% happy in how I came across - I think you’d always want to edit more if it was you

This was about 4 years ago and the nice thing is that sometimes clips / quotes are used again and it’s lovely to have people recognise you!

Good luck!!!

What did you decide?