(no subject)
So my subway was hanging out in the station yesterday when through the window I saw a man with a giant, obviously professional camera shooting as he was walking. My mind instantly leaped to "He's following someone! It's a reality show! Who could it be?!"
And as I kept watching, I realized he was following a homeless man. I was actually really impressed with the cameraman- he shot him from behind as he was walking, then raced ahead of him to shoot him walking towards him, then crouched down to get the shot of him sitting down. I was really intrigued, as I think a documentary or reality show on the life of a homeless man in New York City could actually be quite powerful and intriguing. But in the other hand...I just wanted him to stop filming and help the man.
It was the same problem I had with the Vietnam doc. When things went wrong, I wanted to jump in and help, not film the pain. It was really hard maintaining that balance. I can only imagine how hard it must be for this cameraman to go home at night, leaving his subject on the street.
And as I kept watching, I realized he was following a homeless man. I was actually really impressed with the cameraman- he shot him from behind as he was walking, then raced ahead of him to shoot him walking towards him, then crouched down to get the shot of him sitting down. I was really intrigued, as I think a documentary or reality show on the life of a homeless man in New York City could actually be quite powerful and intriguing. But in the other hand...I just wanted him to stop filming and help the man.
It was the same problem I had with the Vietnam doc. When things went wrong, I wanted to jump in and help, not film the pain. It was really hard maintaining that balance. I can only imagine how hard it must be for this cameraman to go home at night, leaving his subject on the street.