Here is more detail on the project for anyone that is interested in contributing.
The Student Sex Work Project
Newport Film School are working with Swansea University on a lottery funded academic research project over the next five years to understand the extent, mechanics and consequences of students working within the sex industry during their studies within Wales. To do this we initially want to gather a range of stories from people who are currently working, thinking of working or used to work in this industry. This could include everything from bar work at establishments such as hooters to phone sex, online sex, lap dancing, porn, prostitution and escort work.
The study is fully supported by the National Students Union, NHS & Terence Higgins Trust (as we aim to provide sexual health advice) and Swansea and Newport Universities. This is an academic research project and has no agenda other than to gather and interpret the data.
However, as part of the bid it was felt that the project would need visibility to attract attention of the students and encourage them to visit our website and join the research project. We considered an advertising campaign but in the end (and because of Newport’s excellent track record in this area) we decided to produce a 30-minute drama, which will hopefully be shown on BBC Wales to raise awareness of the issue and drive traffic to the research project.
The film will directed by BAFTA award winning director Christopher Morris, who has built a reputation making sensitive films in difficult areas and the film will be written by poet Owen Sheers.
Owen has just completed two projects (one for the BBC) concerning the lives of injured soldiers after they return to re-establish their lives in the UK. The process for making these projects was very interesting. In these soldier focused projects Owen spent along time gathering interviews and the thoughts of the soldiers. Owen then constructed a narrative based on their words and the events they describe.
We wish to take the same approach with this sex work project. Our first task is to gather an much information as we can, and therefore we wish to interview, gather statements and talk to as many people connected to this industry as we can, anonymously if they wish. We are after a full range of views, stories and experiences from current sex workers, those who thought about it but decided not too, those who have worked but now stopped to those who run the industry etc. We are very interested in motivations, the mechanics of the industry (day to day routines), the highs/lows, the benefits and pitfalls, the others you worked with, the way you perceived that work and the way others (friends/family) did etc. This is not going to be a piece of investigative journalism, an expose or a salacious piece of drama – our intention is to lift the lid on this world and draw a picture in an artistic and poetic way – of the real motivations and stories based on those we speak too. There is no agenda to condemn or to shock – our purpose is to tell real stories.
All interviews can be anonymous if you wish. The key to our research is to tap into the truth about working within this wide-ranging industry! Your story would then be fed into the writing process.
If you would like to know more about the project I will send a link to the website as soon as its live.
If you would like to know more about the director of the film – please feel free to visit his website at:
HYPERLINK "http://christophermorrisfilms.co.uk/"
http://christophermorrisfilms.co.uk/
If you would like to know more about the writer of the film – please feel free to visit his website at:
HYPERLINK "http://www.owensheers.co.uk/"
http://www.owensheers.co.uk/
If you have any questions you would like to ask then please do not hesitate to contact Chris at Newport University at:
HYPERLINK "mailto:chris.morris@newport.ac.uk"
chris.morris@newport.ac.uk
Many thanks for considering helping out on this project.
Chris
Professor of documentary practice
Newport Film School
University of wales, Newport
