Hello everyone,
 
My name is Eddie Stafford and I work as a producer for a documentary making company called October Films.  We produce high profile factual programming, often about complex and sensitive issues, for networks like the BBC and Channel 4.  To give you an idea of the quality of our work please visit our website ? www.octoberfilms.co.uk
 
Currently we?re developing a BBC documentary about escorts in the UK.  The idea of the film is to demystify the usual stereotype of all sex workers being victims and that being an escort is a choice that women are making more and more.  If you would like to know more about the project please drop me a quick email (address below) so we can have a confidential research chat.  
 
Many thanks,
 
Eddie Stafford
Email - eddie.stafford@octoberfilms.co.uk


_{[Title edited to remove all caps}]

Good luck with that Eddie I think you will need it  

I will be getting involved in stuff like that once I retire but until then no way!

And I am by no means being negative saying good luck to you in a sarcastic way I just mean people out there all seem to think escorts are all diesease ridden junkies who are made to do this job coz we can do nothing else and are uneducated thickos  
Even a few guys on forums seem to think it and they actually know about the industry  

I would like to hear more about it though if you wouldn't mind pming me more info? And I will have a look at your links or site later  

Ok it was on another forum but something unrelated to this. I think I need more sleep 

Yes more business with all the programmes about us escorts can only be a good thing surely? 

though I'm sure we can work it out he's not actually said what he wants...


Also are these the guys that did the "primark documentary" which used fake footage??? edt that might have been the bbc and there documentary says ch4.. hmm

I've just spoken to Eddie on the phone having also seen a number of requests from production companies recently all seeming to want esort related programming (the gods of telly are apparently interested in us girls)!

Most of the requests are limited to "phone chat/webcam workers" - this is the first one I've seen with an angle around wanting an insight into non trafficked, normal girls just like us that do this job through choice.  And the increasing number of women that are choosing this in a time of great economic uncertainty.

I believe (thanks Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys) - "Don't hate the media, become the media".  Politicians will talk around the morality of our job for centuries more, petrified of offending and losing their expenses claims, completely ignorant of the danger their irresponsible, lazy, copycat legislation creates for normal women (often mothers) while exerting their human rights of freedom of choice,  equal access to services and support and a lack of stimga and persecution based on their beliefs.  This documentary, if approached in the right way, could be an amazing way to start showing the other side of this industry- the women we KNOW we are.  Not the trafficked, co-erced, vulnerable victim but the intelligent,  motivated, driven businesswoman who is pro-actively attacking the challenge of employment in 2011.

I love this forum and how protective it is of us girls but hope that we don't miss opportunities to change things.  I feel that if WE don't engage with the media and make sure the message we wish to get across is received, they will just make it up without us and prove the existing stereotype.

Eddie seemed really keen to explore an idea I had about this documentary and I'm meeting up with him tomorrow to have a chat so will let you know how I get on... I have no desire to be famous or outed but some things are worth it and I'm reminded of Emmeline Pankhurst (although now the price is different).

In the meantime .... is anyone on here involved with the Prostitutes Collective or would they have a contact name it would be most relevant for me to get in touch with (Anika??? I got inklings and see you've definitely written some fantastic articles - if you're still around Kingston way I really wouldn't mind a chat about your experiences with the media?? Help please because if they want to explore this idea for an angle we're going to need some serious (albeit anonymous) backup from anyone that could be perceived as a network of onboard sex workers !!)


Right... and now please?  Anyone feel free to rip my naivety to pieces and give me a reality check???

Big love
Rachel
xx

Have PM'd you.  And thank you!

Have not once disregarded your posts or anything you're saying  as "bollocks" either,  far from it!

I may be guilty of playing devil's advocate on occasion and although I don't agree with everything I've seen you post, will forever be an advocate of open disagreement and discussion from multiple viewpoints.  I know, whole-heartedly, that as a community we learn from each others' individual experiences and perspectives and would never disrespect someone that takes the time to post their thoughts, whether I agree with them or not.

This is an amazing forum and one that is dependent entirely on people just like you who care passionately about the people working within this industry.  I take my hat off to the level of effort you put into making sure questions are answered and facts are clearly presented within this space, allowing its members to make their own free choices based on experience, knowledge and opinion they might not yet possess themselves.

Basically, yeah?... Props!!!

xx

As someone who works in the film & TV industry, I'd like to know:

Will contributors be paid??

Quote from: amy on 07 July 2011, 11:34:29 am

the Economist is the media, after all. As is the News of the World.

Firstly, may I say that I have never, EVER been so happy to be able to take back part of something I've posted  .

Quote from: RachelGivethBBW on 07 July 2011, 04:17:49 pm

Have PM'd you.  And thank you! [...]

I'm getting to it now - I'm a bit nippy because I'm working away and just at the point where the last one in felt like a lit cigar  .

My main problem with projects like the one above is not the intentions of the programme makers themselves especially (I have no doubt that Mr Stafford is a prince among men, and has all the best intentions) but what happens to the content when the post production folk get their hands on it and decide to jazz it up a bit. The documentary I mentioned was deliberately and ruthlessly edited to obscure facts, and garner the most sensationalist and thus the most effective audience-grabbing 'storyline' and outcome possible, and since outright lying is naturally going to get them absolutely slaughtered, the easiest way to do it is lying by omission; in the way that the likes of Melissa Farley could 'prove' their 'research findings' beyond doubt just by carefully selecting a sample whose experiences would concur with her abolitionist agenda.

Anyway, whilst I find it very hard to believe that any project such as this would be brave enough to tell the truth about the banal and mundane reality of life in the sex industry, and not be tempted to be the slightest bit titillating or salacious (mainly because the cynic in me can't imagine why anybody would want to watch it), my objection isn't especially to the OP. I just don't want newbies to think that these are all lovely people who really, really want to give us a voice, and hear our side of the story and have no agenda of their own. Heard it all before, unfortunately.

Will get onto PM now  .

Spot on Amy as usual!

Rach, I also would be interested if as Amy says the editing team weren't going to jazz it all up for better viewing and feel free to pm me how you got on with Eddie if you don't mind luv x