We launched appeals on social media and specifically approached social institutions, counseling centers, and associations, and also activated our own personal contacts. It quickly became clear that finding funny stories would be difficult, as most of the stories were serious and distressing. So the challenge was, on the one hand, to create a safe space for the protagonists and, on the other hand, to always find a positive aspect, a new beginning in the stories.
No face. No voice. Yet still visible.
Anonymous stories for SWR Heimat.
briefing
SWR Heimat is known for its accessible, emotional stories from the homeland. Here, truly unique individuals have their say, and the atmosphere is lighthearted, but there is also room for serious, emotional, and sometimes sad topics. But what about all the other stories that also want to be told and heard, but without a name or a face? Does that work on social media? We took on the challenge and, together with the editorial team at SWR Heimat, developed SWR Heimat anonym. It was an emotional, moving, and completely new journey for us, too.
Categories
Consumer, Public Institutions, Social Responsibility
Stories don't appear at the push of a button.
Safety over visibility
The initial exchange took place via email. No pressure, no expectations.
Only when a good feeling developed did we move on to a phone conversation. It was important to have a designated contact person throughout the entire process, from the first contact to publication. Transparency regarding the process, imagery, and anonymization was key.
Less tech, more trust.
The filming was done with a minimal crew: camera and interviewer. No big setup, no rigid dramaturgy. We provided structure, but left room for whatever developed in the conversation. Pauses were allowed to remain. Emotions did not have to be accelerated. Journalistic questions alone were not enough here. It took sensitivity, patience, and the ability to endure silence and uncertainty.
Emotions even without a face
On average, it became clear how much the stories depend on facial expressions. Without faces and voices, anonymization became a challenge. That's why we developed our own illustration style with matching animations that capture thoughts and moods without revealing identities. This turned a limitation into a creative strength and an anonymous format into a personal one.
