How To Maintain The Authenticity Of The Environmental-protection Documentary With The Participatory Style

Since the emergence of human race,the conflict between the protection of natural resources and the development of human society has always existed.By the 1860 s,when human race entered the industrial society,the conflict became increasingly prominent.While human race enjoy the fruit of materialism brought by industrial civilization,they also have to bear the consequences of destroying natural resources.In the 21 st century,things are becoming even worse.Global problems such as climate abnormality,environmental pollution,and high incidence of plague are becoming more and more devastating.How to balance the relationship between human existence and the exploration of natural resources,transforming it into a more harmonious and sustainable mechanism has become an important issue that all human race have to face together.In recent years,as a documentary filmmaker who is an advocate of environmental protection,the author has been paying attention to the environmental protection in Yunnan,especially the protection of wildlife.He has made a participatory documentary Patrolling the Mountain Diary,truthfully depicting how wildlife is being protected in Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve.As the author's graduate work for his master degree,By employing the style of participatory documentary,combined with observational method,improvised interviews,expository narration,and creative ways of using cinematic languages,Patrolling the Mountain Diary deeply explores how wild animal and plant are being protected in Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve.By taking the creation process of the documentary work as guiding text for the research,through the analysis of the theoretical research and practical experience of the participatory documentary,combined with his own understanding of the documentary genre themed on environmental protection and personal experience of crafting the graduate work,this paper explains the advantages and necessity of using the participatory approach for documentary work in this genre.From the perspectives of selecting the theme,planning,filming,editing,and other creative stages of the documentary “Patrolling the Mountain Diary",this paper discusses how to best use of the participatory method without violating the principle of documentary authenticity.It also shares lessons learned during the course of making this documentary.