Research & Planning: Log

From looking through my footage on iMovie today it is evident that I need to get some more filming done and possibly re-film small parts where the lighting wasn't very good and the camera was quite shaky. I particularly need to film the second half of my documentary/trailer which focus' on beyond the Essex girl, this will include 2 interviews with an teen who is the complete opposite of the Essex girl stereotype and with Syd Moore. 

Research & Planning: Location Spots

This is a yacht club in Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-sea, Essex. I thought I could use this as a location spot when representing my opposite Essex girl Charlotte who enjoys sailing as a hobby.

This is my bedroom which looks very girly and young therefore, I could use it when filming my Essex girls getting ready for a night out.

This is Anna's bedroom, my stereotypical Essex girl, so I can use this room for her interview.

Research & Planning: Documentary Research

Although this documentary is based in Liverpool, the stereotypical image is extremely similar to Essex in regards to the tanning salons and cosmetic surgeries, 

This is where the Essex stereotype was first recognized. 

Research & Planning: Music Options

I have picked out these music options for the introduction of my documentary as they reflect an upbeat party vibe that Essex girls would stereotypically enjoy. The fast paced music being at the beginning would catch the attention of the audience and I have chosen contemporary music to attract my younger target audience.

Research & Planning: Articles

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2101789/TOWIE-look-Transforming-Essex-Girl-involves-8-hours-torture-1-200.html
This article basically explains how a normal woman can transform into the stereotypical 'Essex Girl'. The process included spray tanning, eyelash extensions and hairdressing to get the 'bigger is better' hair style. Therefore, reinforcing the stereotypical image that Essex girls are labelled with.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/feb/05/britishidentity.gender
Germain Greer defends the negative Essex reputation.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/mar/05/gender

Research & Planning: Social Networking

After researching Essex girl stereotypes I have come across a parody Twitter account 'Life of an Essex Gal'. This just proves that the typical attitudes of Essex girl's are shared across social networking, not just nationally but internationally. 

https://twitter.com/Essexgirls2

Research & Planning: Treatment Feedback

Everyone seemed to like the name 'Beyond The Essex Girl' for my documentary title, therefore I am most likely going to use it. The feedback from my classmates is very useful and I have some new ideas such as people to interview, comedic Essex phrases and the incorporation of Essex boys. 

"Possibly start of with a montage of public opinion of Essex girls"

"Maybe show some focus on the stereotypes of Essex boys"

"Why not a full documentary if you have enough footage"

"Find out who watches the 'Educating Essex' type programmes"

"Use Essex Girl jokes as titles"

"Contact Syd Moore"

"How can you expand the target audience so its not just Essex viewers watching it"

Research & Planning: Treatment

Treatment media from EveSalmon

Research & Planning: Focus Group

Name: Ella Kilkelly

Age: 17

Location: Thorpe Bay, Southend, Essex.

Hobbies/Interests: Sailing, shopping, going out with friends. 

Favourite TV Genre: Sitcom's 

Favourite TV Documentary: Channel 4's 'Educating Yorkshire'

How Often Do You Watch Documentaries: Rarely

     Name: Harriet Jones

Age: 17

Location: Thorpe Bay, Southend, Essex.

Hobbies/Interests: Going out with friends, fake tanning, beauty treatments. 

Favourite TV Genre: Reality TV

Favourite TV Documentary: Channel 4's 'Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'

How Often Do You Watch Documentaries: Fairly often. 

Name: Jane Crooks

Age: 45

Location: Great Wakering, Southend, Essex.

Hobbies/Interests: Doing hair and nails, coffee with friends, the cinema. 

Favourite TV Genre: Reality TV

Favourite TV Documentary: Channel 4's 'One Born Every Minute' 

How Often Do You Watch Documentaries: Often

Name: George Salmon

Age: 19

Location: Thorpe Bay, Southend, Essex.

Hobbies/Interests: Going clubbing, sleeping, playing football.

Favourite TV Genre: Sport

Favourite TV Documentary: Channel 4's 'Skint'

How Often Do You Watch Documentaries: Regularly

Research & Planning: Super Strumps

I researched Superstrumps, constructed by Syd Moore, the cards that were created represented various stereotypes including the stereotypical "Essex girls". Heidi and Syd also wanted to investigate why Essex girls had such a distinct stereotype yet Essex boys didn't. However, in my opinion, since shows like 'The Only Way Is Essex' has broadcasted there is an image that Essex boys are perceived to look like for example, very groomed and well dressed, along with similar feminine characteristics like tanned  skin and waxed eyebrows etc.

http://www.superstrumps.com
http://www.ohcomely.co.uk/blog/182

Research & Planning: Documentary Influences

All of these video clips emphasize the Essex girl stereotype to the media. The aim of my documentary would be to change people's perspective of the typical girl from Essex whose fake, dumb and orange. My documentary will address the way Essex girls like to look and how it is still crucial to look a particular way when a teenage girl from Essex. However, the documentary will also show a deeper insight into the girls in order to break stereotype barriers. The 'Snog, Marry, Avoid?' clips from BBC Three are useful as I am planning to use BBC Three to broadcast my documentary. 

"The remit of BBC Three is to bring younger audiences to high-quality public service broadcasting through a mixed-genre schedule of innovative UK content featuring new UK talent. The channel should use the full range of digital platforms to deliver its content and to build an interactive relationship with its audience."

BBC Three target young audiences which is perfect for my documentary purely focusing around teenage girls. This BBC channel broadcasts many programmes that are of interest to the teen demographic, as a teenage female myself BBC Three is certainly appealing to watch. Programmes such as 'Snog, Marry, Avoid?', 'Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents', 'Don't Call Me Crazy', 'Teen Exorcist's' and 'Shop Life'  

Research & Planning: Progress Log

After talking through my documentary trailer ideas with my media teacher and other observers I've decided to adjust my concept. My documentary will focus on the "Essex girl" stereotype and what girls from Essex are really like. A possible name idea is 'Behind The Essex Girl' or 'Beyond The Essex Girl'. 

Research & Planning: New Mood Board