Words Matter: Changing The Language Around Mediamaking

Shoot. Capture. Subject. Take. Trigger.

These words are starting to feel uncomfortable.

We used to love using them. They made us feel special. These words and others are the coded language we could speak, signaling to others ‘in the business’ that we belonged.

Yet, these words are inherently violent…

Shoot. Capture. Subject. Take. Trigger.

These terms of war reveal the exploitative nature that is ‘the industry,’ known for taking unfair advantage of those in front of (and also behind) the lens.

Mediamaking is littered with terminology that is rooted in violence. It is not a coincidence. Photography and filmmaking were developed at the height of European colonialism and these mediums were put to use for othering and oppression. It didn’t end 100+ years ago either. Up until very recently, much of documentary photo/film/video has been overwhelming extractive. But, things are starting to change.

The age of the ‘autuer’ is out.
Consent and collaboration are the future.
It is time for us to unlearn these words.

For those of us who want to be conscious travelers and/or ethical storytellers…we must choose alternative vocabulary.

Words matter.

There are more than a million words in the English language.

Here are some words we can use instead. 

• Make
• Create
• Produce
• Film
• Session
• Document
• Record
• Focus
• Lead
• Protagonist
• Snap
• Setup