Planning scientific documentary production for social impact, a practice-based approach

ABSTRACT

This practice-based research explores the ways in which science is communicated through documentary practice, drawing an overview of creative strategies, narrative styles and modes of spectatorship that potentially increase the social impact of scientific documentaries. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the aim is to delineate effective ways of communicating scientific knowledge through documentary for broadcast television, increasing audience engagement while promoting awareness of sociocultural and biodiversity issues, specifically in the region of San Carlos, Tamaulipas in Mexico. This research proposes a model for production planning based on the Balance Value Impact Model (BVI) by Tanner, Simon [2020. Delivering Impact With Digital Resources: Planning Your Strategy in the Attention Economy. Facet Publishing]. This research is part of an interdisciplinary project titled Valuation and Resignification of the Cultural and Biocultural Heritage of the Mezcal Region of the Sierra de San Carlos, Tamaulipas, a national project encompassing the work of 29 scientists affiliated to the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas in Mexico.

KEYWORDS:

• Documentary
• science communication
• practice-based research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by PRONACES (Programas Estratégicos Nacionales) del CONAHCYT (Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología), Government of Mexico.

Notes on contributors

Perla Carrillo Quiroga

Perla Carrillo Quiroga obtained a PhD in Film Studies at the University of Westminster in 2013, is a member of the National System of Researchers (Sistema Nacional de Investigadores) in Mexico, a full time professor and head of the Television Department (TVUAT) at the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas in Mexico.