Empathetic, respectful, close. Menschen hautnah tells private life stories with deep empathy. No voyeurism — genuine interest in the person. The camera is present without intruding. Silent moments are allowed. Protagonists retain their dignity. Transformation and hope resonate, even in difficult subjects.
What this format covers
●Private life crises: illness, loss, separation, debt
●New beginnings and turning points in life
●Family stories and generational conflicts
●Unusual life choices and decisions
●Care, aging, dying — told with dignity
●Love, partnership, loneliness
●Migration and arrival from personal perspective
What this format does NOT want
●Celebrity portraits
●Investigative formats or political reportage
●Topics without personal protagonist access
●Entertainment formats or docu-soaps
●Historical documentaries
●Purely informative formats without emotional arc
●Sensationalist or voyeuristic approaches
Visual expectations
Close, observational, respectful. Long takes that give space. Handheld camera in intimate situations, calm camera movement in quiet moments. Natural light, authentic environments. No staged situations. The protagonist sets the pace. Reference: documentary film tradition, not TV reportage.
Expected exposé structure
Title (emotional, concrete, no wordplay)
Logline (2–3 sentences: who, what crisis/turning point, what's at stake)
Expose body text: tell the protagonist's story
Protagonist(s) with detailed biography and current conflict
Narrative arc: where does the protagonist stand, where is the journey heading?
Access and trust relationship with protagonist
Director, production company, contact
Example productions
Menschen hautnah: Mama trinkt — Kinder zwischen Liebe und Verzweiflung
Menschen hautnah: Neustart mit 50 — Wenn das alte Leben nicht mehr passt
Menschen hautnah: Mein Sohn, der Neonazi
Menschen hautnah: Allein mit drei Kindern
Menschen hautnah: Die letzte Reise — Sterben in Wuerde
Editorial notes
Supplier: WDR (in-house and external productions). Menschen hautnah is one of Germany's most distinguished portrait formats. External production companies can pitch topics. Critical: access to protagonist and clear narrative arc. No celebrities — it's about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Protagonist must be in a state of development, not static. The commissioning desk places great emphasis on respectful storytelling.
Ready to pitch to WDR?
The Pitch Doctor generates a format-compliant exposé tailored to WDR Menschen Hautnah's exact editorial expectations.