Video for Change: A Guide for Advocacy and Activism Paperback – January 1, 2006

A well-written and useful guide that offers practical ideas and asks the right questions for producing and distributing videos that have the goal of contributing to social change. I use it in my class at Duke University.

This is a serious book for emerging documentary professionals who want to work on social justice issues. The book is closely tied to the organization Witness, and their pioneering work training and partnering with front-line NGOs around the world documenting human rights abuses. I used the book in my human rights and media class last spring and it provided much needed practical advice on grassroots video advocacy, all aspects of production, the use of video as legal evidence, the role of narrative in documentary films, safety issues while in the field, how to work distribution channels, and how to use video for making changes in the world. Video for Change is very much a "how to" kind of book with great appendices containing sample release forms, action plans, checklists, etc. As a human rights educator I wish there was more on the importance of packaging documentary video with educational materials, informative websites, and radical outreach. Perhaps a bit more too on the politics of representation. Hopefully this will come in a followup guide. But at this point, Video for Change is the best study out there. And as more documentary media workers move into the human rights field, this is a must read.

Video for Change combines creative inspiration with practical advice as it guides us through the process of using video to advocate for social justice. It proves not only that video can be an incredibly effective tool for promoting change, but also that this course of action is accessible to all of us - video buffs, human rights activists and novices alike.Sprinkled with real-life experiences from successful video activists, this book motivates the reader to action, while never forgetting the risks involved. Essential information on safety and security, on ethical issues and legal restrictions ensures that the book remains grounded in reality as an indispensable guide.Whether you're an experienced filmmaker or you've yet to own a Handicam, the book will guide you from the technical basics to those precious finer details, ensuring that your video skills will do justice to the human rights story being told. Useful tips on identifying your audience, conceptualizing storylines and accounting for the emotional elements of video merge the technological know-how with the vital human element.Video for Change then goes beyond the confines of the filmmaking process and explores effective strategies for distributing your video to ensure that it lands in the right hands. Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of public or private screenings facilitates an accurate assessment of the tactical distribution possibilities for each individual film.A great tool for those interested in human rights and/or filmmaking.