Filmmaking with real people brings unique challenges and rewards. VSFF 2024 finalist Kylie Skinner, the filmmaker behind Formal Take Two, shares her insights on building trust, ethical storytelling, and crafting compelling documentaries.
Formal Take Two (produced by Kylie with Bus Stop Films), follows students with disabilities revisiting their high school formal.
How did you find and connect with the people featured in your documentary?
As part of my Master of Screen Production at Griffith University, I completed a course called Inclusive Filmmaking, which I enrolled in after volunteering on a Bus Stop Films short film, Sunshine. That experience was truly eye-opening and inspiring, particularly because of the unique on-set dynamic—less hierarchy and more camaraderie. I was eager to work with Bus Stop Films again, and for this documentary, we collaborated closely with BSF students from start to finish.
What were the biggest challenges in working with real people instead of actors?
One of the biggest challenges in working with real people instead of actors is the need for strong planning while remaining flexible throughout the process. Unlike working with actors, where scenes can be rehearsed and controlled, real-life subjects bring unpredictability and authenticity that require adaptability. You have to be open to changes and allow the story to evolve organically based on their experiences and perspectives. This means being prepared to pivot when unexpected moments arise and ensuring that the filmmaking process respects the subjects’ comfort and agency. While this can make planning more complex, it also leads to a more genuine and compelling narrative, as the story is ultimately shaped by the people living it.
How do you build trust with your subjects to ensure their authentic stories come through?
Building trust with our subjects was essential to ensure their authentic stories came through, especially given the limited time we had for filming. To create a comfortable and familiar environment, we made the decision to have the participants interview each other, rather than having a filmmaker ask the questions off-camera. This approach helped reduce any sense of formality or pressure, allowing for more natural and genuine conversations. Additionally, we benefited from the pre-existing relationships our producer had with the subjects, which helped establish a foundation of trust from the outset. This existing connection made the participants feel more at ease and confident in sharing their stories openly. By prioritising their comfort and fostering a collaborative atmosphere, we were able to capture authentic and meaningful narratives that reflected their experiences.
What steps do you take to balance storytelling with ethical considerations when portraying real lives?
For this film, it was important to craft a cohesive and engaging story while ensuring we didn’t misrepresent or sensationalise the experiences of our participants. To strike this balance, we made collaboration a cornerstone of the process. From the outset, we worked closely with the participants, ensuring their voices were not just included but actively shaped the narrative. Together, we had open discussions about which aspects of their stories they felt comfortable sharing and what messages they wanted to convey. By involving them as partners in the creative process, we were able to maintain authenticity, avoid stereotypes, and ensure the final film truly reflected their perspectives and lived experiences.
Banner image: Still from Formal Take Two.
Kylie Skinner is a postgraduate student at Griffith University and a filmmaker passionate about inclusive storytelling. As the filmmaker of Formal Take Two, a collaboration with Bus Stop Films, she worked closely with BSF students and Executive Producer Martha Goddard to bring real stories to the screen.