In this episode of Change the Reel, Monique and Piper sit down with documentary filmmaker and ethical storytelling champion Natalie Bullock Brown. From her journey through Howard University's film program to her work with the Documentary Accountability Working Group (DAWG), Natalie shares powerful insights on authentic representation and the responsibility filmmakers have to their subjects. #RepresentationMatters #DocumentaryFilm #EthicalStorytelling

As media continues to shape our understanding of communities and cultures, who tells the story matters as much as the story itself. Natalie's work advocates for filmmakers to be "more thoughtful, intentional, and transparent about their filmmaking practices in their relationships with their participants." This approach isn't just about fairness—it results in better, more authentic storytelling. #AuthenticVoices #MediaEthics #FilmIndustry

Natalie initially went to Howard University planning to write for television shows like "A Different World," but discovering Marlon Riggs' groundbreaking documentary work changed her trajectory entirely. This pivotal moment showed her what documentary film could accomplish—giving voice to underrepresented communities while creating artistically powerful content. #FilmEducation #CareerPath #DocFilm

Through a series of connections beginning with jazz musicians at Lincoln Center, Natalie eventually found her way to Ken Burns' production company. Her story highlights how relationships and networking create opportunities, particularly for women of color in an industry where representation behind the camera remains limited. #WomenInFilm #NetworkingInFilm #CareerDevelopment

As Distinguished Director of the Documentary Accountability Working Group, Natalie helped develop a framework that emphasizes care, consent, collaboration, and ethical storytelling. This approach begins with a critical "reflection" phase where filmmakers examine their proximity to stories and their potential biases. #FilmEthics #DocumentaryPractice #Accountability

While representation matters, Natalie emphasizes that it's not simply about who tells the story—it's about the filmmaker's commitment to doing internal work to overcome blind spots and biases. This often means bringing in team members with closer proximity to the stories being told. #Collaboration #DiverseTeams #StorytellingEthics

Natalie shares her experience creating production teams that reflect diversity in gender, ethnicity, and experience. From her first all-women crew to her current collaborative approach with various filmmakers, she demonstrates how intentional hiring creates better working environments and ultimately better films. #InclusiveHiring #ProductionTeams #DiversityInFilm

Both Monique and Piper note how Natalie's sets stand out for their comfort and organization—a testament to what's possible when productions prioritize inclusive environments. This approach allows talent and crew to bring their authentic selves to the work without the "heavy armor" often needed in less welcoming spaces. #SetCulture #FilmProduction #InclusiveWorkplaces

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on how filmmakers can avoid perpetuating stereotypes or exploiting communities through their work. Natalie emphasizes that without proper reflection and intentionality, filmmakers risk continuing harmful narratives...