Expanding the Documentary Dialogue: Audience engagement and new media for social impact in environmental and social issue documentaries

Abstract

Environmental and social issue documentaries are an effective way to communicate serious matters to the public, motivating dialogue and action around important issues. The following thesis explores the contemporary documentary within a networked, new media landscape. It addresses how new media can be utilised by filmmakers wishing to expand the dialogue around their films subject, and increase public awareness and engagement with significant social and environmental issues. How should documentary makers with goals of social impact adapt their processes, tools and methods in an era of thriving digital technologies and evolving new media? Alongside traditional, on-the-ground approaches to audience engagement, new media tools and platforms can be used in a myriad of ways to increase communication and social impact. This thesis will focus on how new media can be applied effectively, throughout the documentary process, to heighten social engagement and impact. When approached in a strategic manner new media holds potential to enrich the documentary process, enhancing outreach strategies, public engagement, and distribution.