by Mikael Opstrup

In fiction film we write the characters, in documentary film we read them. Or rather: We read people and create characters.

What people do during the years we film them is totally beyond our control and yet we are supposed to create a coherent and engaging story. Based on the unpredictable chaos aka Life. What characteristics are we looking for? therefore seems to be a key question when we decide who to film.

Transforming the people we film into the characters that the audience meet on the screen is solely based on our artistic decisions.
A second important question therefore seems to be: What are our artistic options when we transform events into stories?

Based on his book  ‘THE UNCERTAINTY – A book about developing Character driven Documentary’ and through visual examples, Mikael Opstrup will share insights drawn from years of reflecting on the art of crafting protagonists.

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> Mikael Opstrup