Introduction

Around the world, reports of the suicides and suffering of media contributors have led to a growing perception of unscripted filmmaking as predatory and morally dubious, prompting regulatory changes in several countries, including the UK. The ordinary people who take part in documentaries are often portrayed as victims or dupes, but these claims lack theoretical precision, and are unsubstantiated by empirical evidence. This chapter reflects upon the political-economic context in which concerns have arisen, demonstrating that the scholarship has so far overlooked the role of on-screen participants. It goes on to outline the theoretical basis for the study, its methodological approach, and the structure for the rest of the book.