Contributor's Guide

Relatively Speaking makes short documentaries about people and the relationships that make us who we are.

Our films are unscripted. We don't give you lines, ask you to perform or expect you to have the perfect answer. We're interested in what people are really like together, including the funny, complicated, awkward and unexpected bits.

Before we film

We’ll speak with each person taking part and explain what we’re making, why we’d like you to join us and where the film may appear. We’ll talk through the subjects we expect to explore, including any sensitive topics. We don’t usually give you every question in advance because we want the conversation to be spontaneous, but you are welcome to ask what we plan to discuss. You don’t need to prepare perfect answers.

We’ll send you the adult Contributor Release, our Privacy Notice and this guidance before the shoot. Please take time to read them and ask about anything unclear. The release should be signed before filming, and we’ll email you a completed copy to keep. Any agreed limits should be written down.

This guidance is for adults aged 18 or over. Separate arrangements are needed for children.

Things to think about before taking part

Talking honestly about relationships can sometimes bring up difficult memories, emotions or subjects you weren't expecting to discuss.

It's also worth thinking about how other people in your life might feel about things you choose to share. A film may be seen by family members, friends, colleagues or other people who know you. Once something has been published online, we cannot control who sees it, shares it, comments on it or how every viewer interprets it.

If there's a subject, person or piece of information you're particularly concerned about discussing publicly, please tell us before filming. You can also choose not to discuss any topic during filming.

If anything about taking part gives us particular cause for concern, we may talk it through with you before deciding whether or how to film.

During filming

Our shoots are deliberately small and informal. We want you to feel comfortable, while remembering that we are recording a conversation that may be made public.

You are always free not to answer a question, to ask for a break or to stop the conversation. If something feels too personal, just tell us. You don't need to explain why.

Conversations sometimes go to places none of us expected. That's part of documentary filmmaking, but it doesn't mean you have to share anything you don't want to share.

Looking after you

The wellbeing of the people who take part in our films matters to us. Some stories need more care than others.

We’ll discuss any concerns you raise and consider what support or adjustments would help. Where a conversation involves sensitive experiences or a particular risk to your wellbeing, we’ll consider additional steps before, during or after filming. These might include agreeing subjects to avoid, changing how we approach the conversation, arranging a follow-up or seeking independent advice. We’ll explain any support agreed with you, including its limits.

If at any point you're worried about the effect taking part might have on you, please tell us.

Sensitive information and changing your mind

Please tell us if there is sensitive information you are worried about sharing, such as details about your health. We’ll discuss how it may be used and check any additional permission or safeguards needed. If we rely on your explicit data-protection consent, we’ll ask for a separate clear confirmation of the information and uses you agree to.

You can stop filming at any time, but this does not withdraw the rights already granted in recorded material, and changing your mind later does not affect the rights granted in the release. If you have concerns about anything we have filmed, please contact us and we’ll consider them carefully. Our Privacy Notice explains your rights under data-protection law.

What happens to everything we film?

We usually film considerably more than appears in the finished documentary. Relatively Speaking makes the editorial decisions about the final film, including what is included, what is left out and how the story is structured. 

We edit with care and never set out to embarrass, ridicule or deliberately misrepresent the people who trust us with their stories.

Will I see the film before it's published?

We don’t usually show contributors the film before it is published. If there is a particular part of the film we want to check with you, we’ll contact you about it and let you know when we need your comments. This is an opportunity to raise serious concerns about accuracy, privacy, safety or your wellbeing.

It does not give you the right to approve the edit or prevent publication. Relatively Speaking makes the final editorial decisions, subject to any different arrangement agreed with you. Please do tell us if something concerns you; we will listen and consider serious concerns carefully.

Where might the film appear?

Relatively Speaking films are made for public viewing. The release allows worldwide use across all media, including our website, YouTube, social media, television, streaming, cinema, screenings, in-flight entertainment and other platforms. Films and extracts may be available free, through paid services or in ways that generate income. We’ll explain the plans for your project before filming.

Clips, still images, audio and transcripts may also be used, including to introduce and promote our films and related projects and products. Your contributor release explains the rights you give us and any restrictions we agree.

Conversation cards and linked films

Our physical conversation cards and downloadable samples may link by number, QR code or another link to short films or our online archive. A linked film may bring together several contributors answering the same question. These products may be sold through our website or other retailers.

The standard release covers your appearance in these linked films. It does not provide payment or a share of income. If we want to print your photograph or words on the physical cards or packaging, we’ll ask for a further written agreement first.

What about my name?

We normally use your first name only, unless we agree something different with you in writing. Leaving out your surname does not make you anonymous: people may recognise your face, voice or story. If you want your identity to be concealed, please discuss this with us before filming so we can agree what is possible.

AI tools

If we plan to record or transcribe a call using an AI service, we’ll explain this beforehand, including the service and purpose. We may also use technical tools to help with editing, subtitles or translation, where appropriate. We’ll check how those tools handle your information and check the results for accuracy. Our Privacy Notice will explain relevant handling of personal information.

We will not treat the general release as permission to train AI models on your contribution, clone your voice or create an artificial version of your image or performance. Any proposal for these uses would need a separate discussion and specific written agreement.

When the film goes out

Putting something personal into the world can feel very different from talking about it privately during filming.

People may respond warmly, but we can't predict or control every reaction to a film. Viewers may have different interpretations of what they see, and online films may attract comments or be shared beyond the original audience.

Where a publication date is planned, we’ll let you know when we expect the film to appear. You’ll have a named contact at Relatively Speaking for questions or concerns. Any additional follow-up or support will be discussed with you.

Where comments appear on channels we control, we reserve the right to moderate or remove comments that are abusive, threatening, disclose private information or are otherwise inappropriate.

A final thing

Talking with somebody you know can bring up things you haven’t discussed before, but there is no expectation that you share anything you would rather keep private. You don’t need to be polished, profound or particularly good at talking about your feelings. Just come as yourself.