If I Talk The People Stop To Talk

If I Talk The People Stop to Talk

My friend Andrew and the chief Techie for HoboTraveler.com was chatting a comment, he said,

"You should explain as you film the people."
I said,
"I cannot or they will stop to talk."

If I am a long distance away from a group of people say here in Togo, West Africa, then I could start to talk to the camera, and it would mix the sounds I am hearing and what I am saying relatively well.

However, if I am making a video up close within range of the people listening, I need to not talk, otherwise they will stop and answer what they perceive is a question, and the activity I am filming ends.

There are various debates on taking photos, one is to take the photo and ask later, the other is to ask, then take the photo. unfortunately the only way that truly makes an authentic real video is to film first, then pay later, or ask afterwards. I do not want to talk normally with the people, I want to make a video of what they are doing, afterwards I can ask questions.

I believe most documentaries are staged, not authentic.

Andy in Atakpame, Togo West Africa July 2007

If I Talk The People Stop to Talk