During Step 1: Secure Informed Consent on Camera FILMING “Informed consent” refers to the filmer’s responsibility to ensure the interviewee knows and fully understands the potential implications to their safety and well-being that may result from agreeing to an interview — especially an interview on camera — and from the future use of that interview. For example, if you are interviewing someone in a remote village in northern Russia where literacy rates are low and access to the Internet is limited, you must do your best to explain how the video will be used, who will see it, and the potential risks the interviewee may face if the video is posted online or becomes publicly available. The internationally accepted rule is that, when conducting interviews — both on or off camera — with victims and witnesses of human rights abuses, the interviewee’s informed consent must be obtained. Understandably, however, some frontline documenters will find it impossible to secure informed consent in the midst or the immediate aftermath of a human rights incident. Part V explores the challenges around informed consent and what to do if you can’t secure it. Step 2: Framing, Lighting, and Sound Capturing footage with good framing, lighting, and audio increases the chance of its being used in investigations, in the media, or for advocacy purposes, and/or preserved for historical memory. However, it is important to recognize that it can be difficult to focus on these technical aspects while you are filming at the scene of a human rights incident. Make your best attempt to capture clear images and audio so reviewers can easily identify the speaker and location and understand what they are saying. But keep in mind that capturing relevant and useful content is more important than capturing footage that is technically perfect. Even technically imperfect footage may still be valuable for its content. GOOD SET-UP BAD SET-UP FOR MORE INFORMATION To learn more about camera, sound and lighting techniques, visit library.witness. org. Step 3: Add Objective On-Camera Narration Whenever possible, verbally record the following information on camera prior to conducting the interview: • your name; • your contact information; • the date, time, and location of the interview; • a one- or two-sentence objective summary describing the incident you are about to discuss with the witness; and • a one- or two-sentence objective summary describing why you are interviewing this particular person. 154 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: FILMING PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS V 1.0