Our Side media wise... (48)

This morning I threw out a comment after seeing something on 4od

"Why the f**k hasn't someone made a real documentary on alternative lifestyles, a serious unbiased documentary that represents alternative people like us, showing world at large just how normal we are? the only way people will stop vilifying us is through education"

I'm prone to these brief little soapbox moments. Himself turned round and said "well maybe you should speak to others about it, there must be some amateur film makers on the scene, maybe the clips could be uploaded to a campaign site and/or youtube". He also pointed out that the gay community had to go through things like that to change opinion about their lifestyles.

Personally I do feel that the gay community still has to struggle with unwelcome and prejudice attitudes but it is still an improvement on what it was like twenty odd years ago. I genuinely don't believe we will ever really be represented fairly in any mainstream journalistic way other than the odd piece here and there unless we deal with it ourselves.

What is the feasibility of a project like this?

Are there others on scene who could help make something like this? who have the skills needed?

Would it be worth attempting?

Do you think it could actually change opinion positively in our favour?

Go on crush me like a flower, rusted from the rain Come on strip me of me of my power, beat me with your chains..... (Billy Talent - Rusted from the Rain)

Channel 4 have some advice here.

Why don't cash machines have a Gamble button?
Why isn't there an age of consent for religion?

Just wondering if anyone has seen it and if it's any good?

Because the people keenest to take part in such a documentary, and indeed the most readily identifiable subjects for the film maker, are likely to be exhibitionists who want to shock and sensationalise, and are not interested in appearing "normal", thereby reinforcing tired, tedious stereotypes rather than "educating".

I AM THE GOD OF HELL-FIRE!.....but its my lunch break right now

_______________
"Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum."
Want to know why nobody replies to your memos, or just want to whinge about it? Do it here.

At least two people have, according to IMDB.

Why don't cash machines have a Gamble button?
Why isn't there an age of consent for religion?

As Red says, educating people is necessary - showing them that many normal people enjoy BDSM, and it doesn't turn you into a psychopath!

It would be good if people would seriously consider making BDSM documentaries - which are not slanted by vanilla's who look sceptically on us!

Thanks for sharing this - the trailer looks pretty good - would love to see the whole thing

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Funding - have no idea if that could be found, unfortunately there's not pots of money around for BDSM the way there is for LGBT stuff.

Most of the reason the public is not on our side in the battles we've got on our hands is that they don't know about these issues and that there is a problem. If they did I think many, maybe even most, would be onside.

Yes, finding people can be a real problem. It's really hard to find media representatives who come across as fairly ordinary, articulate and will be positively politicised about their position and lifestyle - CAAN (and I seperately) get queries soetimes for more personal pieces of media work: often they are of the type nobody with political savvy would touch with a bargepole. Even where they are a good idea, it's still really hard to find people to do it as so many are closeted and most of the rest of us really don't want to expose our personal lives to the world in detail. I sure wish it wasn't necessary.

More people are involving in print media more often but the TV stuff for some reason is harder to find people for. I don't think people have to have been a fly on our wall and actually understand or even know what we do to accept us - but it does help some people. Many people will never understand and our rights shouldn't hang on the understanding of others.

It is an important part of awareness raising though which is why I have started occasionally agreeing to personal interviews on polyamorous matters when we can't find anyone, as long as it's not really going into detail about my private life. (eg did an interview for channel four about polyamoury and the ethics of adultery last week for one of a series of short films appearing after the news on ethical issues). Pieces of work in that vein are really rare though, as we have much more mileage as freak show fodder for most programmers.

Whilst I'm happy to talk to the media, to offer personal ethical opinions occasionally, or regurgitate comments for CAAN, etc, I refuse all but the most surface of personal comments - enough to identify myself as a BDSM scene / polyamorous person when relevant, but the information stops there.

I also wouldn't want someone observing my lifestyle closeup, most of us don't want to share that private stuff - not because we're ashamed of ourselves, or we're doing anything wrong, but because (just like the majority of non alternative /heteronormative people!) most of us like to keep the details of our intimate lives to ourselves, unless discussing with individuals we choose, or partners.

For example I was recently asked to participate in a film about disabled people and sexuality. Cool huh? It was a yes until we got to the part when they asked me to be filmed before a club night, in my sexy gear, with one of my partners (or any other willing bunny) swinging from the Roissey rack doing my undignified thang for the viewing public.

Not a chance.

Only other scene people get to view blush-some moments like that when I am having fun with my partners - and that is very very different!

I told them to come back for me if they wanted to interview me in the context of being a disabled person campaigning with CAAN for equal rights for all adults, whatever their sexuality (or ability) to express their sexuality, and to expect privacy the same as anyone else.

If someone was embarking on a BDSM scene organised and controlled film I suspect it might be possible to find a few more people than usual. I would certainly be willing to help in the usual capacity.

De

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Edited 1 Sep 10, 4:16 PM by Degenerate

Funding - to be honest, we really need people involved who would be willing to put time in because they believe in the project, rather than because they wanted some cash out of it

I suggest if people read this post who have skills they are willing to use in a project like this - that they comment and say what skills they have to offer making a BDSM documentary / educational series.

If we pooled our resources and skills, we could do it - and make a series of films - which could be released across the internet etc

The kinds of necessary skills would include:

- People experienced with filming and editing - Marketing skills - to market the project online and offline - Directing and producing a documentary - People willing to be on camera (some may prefer to protect their identity - but could still be on camera - faces blocked out)

and?.....

I hope you get some direct contact from people who work in this industry and can assist in some way

De

Vote to repeal the kinky porn ban! http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/posts/282427/
Sign up to CAAN's statement www.caan.org.uk