Tagged: sex work
Whore Films Showcasing @ Capitol Cinema
A lot of people ask Melissa why she named her project ‘Whore’.
The reason being is that sex workers’ claim that name. Melissa wrote six monologues about street sex workers in late 2013. Three actors each performed two monologues, to sell-out audiences in Auckland & Wellington in 2014.
“Whore consists of six beautifully structured monologues performed serially by three actors. The text was constructed by Fergusson from extensive interviews with sex workers and it’s exceptional. She has consulted with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective and the entire show has a sense of authenticity that is at the heart of its success because successful it truly is.” – Lexie Matheson, ONZM
Now adapted to screen, six short films: Illegal Migrant, Married Woman, Underage Sex Worker, Rent Boy, Transgender & Refugee each runs for 12 minutes; based on true stories of street sex workers living in Auckland.
“An emotionally effecting and unflinching series of short films that sets out to reveal the real and human side to people who work under the label of “sex worker” and achieves this objective with aplomb.” – Kathryn Burnett, Award-Winning Screenwriter
Melissa is the Creative Director of charlatan clinic; she has directed over twenty theatre productions, six short films and is writing her first feature film presently.
Whore Films @ Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland on July 20 & 21 at 8pm, 2016. Tickets available from http://www.iticket.co.nz
Spread The Love With #CondomEmoji: World AIDS Day, 1st December
Though we don’t hear about it much in the news these days (except in unison with the name Charlie Sheen), globally, there are currently an estimated 34 million people who have the HIV virus. Which is why World AIDs Day, which happens tomorrow, is a timely reminder of the importance of safe sex.
To coincide with World AIDs, Durex, has launched a campaign calling for the creation of the world’s first official safe sex emoji. Launched less than a fortnight ago, the campaign has seen people from around the world calling for the creation of the #CondomEmoji and more than 2 million people viewed this humorous video about the need for the emoji.
The need to re-think the way we discuss safe sex with 16 – 25 year olds is backed up by research conducted by Professor Mark McCormack at Durham University, which found more than a third of 16 – 25 year olds don’t care about safe sex and a quarter believe HIV/AIDS is an issue that mainly only affects people in Africa.
It’s concerning that 16 – 25 years show such apathy towards safe sex. The solution? Speak to them a in a language they’ll understand: emojis!
Filming ‘Rent boy’: Behind The Scenes
Director: Melissa Fergusson
DOP: Tim Butler-Jones
1st AD/Sound Tech: Rob Ipsen
Art Department: Lina Cruz
Makeup & Hair Stylist: Angela Crumpe
Rent boy: Lee ah yen Faatoia
Stripper: Christine Becker
Probation officer: Baz Te Hira
Homeless man: Gabriel Henry
John: Michael Hallows
Special thanks: Paper Bag Princess, Christine Becker, Four Eyes Media, Rebecca Parr, Cafe Al-Madina, Topic Rentals, Splice & LYC.
Rehearsals: ‘Rent boy’
Director: Melissa Fergusson
Rent boy: Lee ah yen Faatoia
Stripper: Christine Becker
Homeless man: Gabriel Henry
Probation officer: Baz Te Hira
John: Michael Hallows
Filming ‘Refugee’: Behind The Scenes
Director: Melissa Fergusson
DOP: Tim Butler-Jones
1st AD/Sound Tech: Rob Ipsen
Location Manager: John Blackman
MUA: Angela Crumpe
Hair Designer: Jordan Camilleri
Stylist: Melissa Fergusson
Refugee: Rebecca Parr
Psych patient: Gaby Turner
Counsellor: Rob Ipsen
Foreigner: John Blackman
Dealer: Baz Te Hira
John: Rhys Collier
Featured extras: Laura Ehlen-Wilson, Olliver Fergusson, Hudson Turner, Cooper Turner
Special thanks to Katherine Hair, The Rose Centre, John Blackman, Paper Bag Princess, Love Your Condom, Splice, Four Eyes Media & Donna Banichevic-Gera x
Production Meeting (2): ‘Refugee’
Director: Melissa Fergusson 1st AD: Rob Ipsen DOP: Tim Butler-Jones MUA: Angela Crumpe Hair Designer: Jordan Camilleri Refugee (Lead): Rebecca Parr Counsellor: Rob Ipsen Psych patient: Gaby Turner Dealer: Baz Te Hira Foreigner: John Blackman John: Rhys Collier
http://charlatancliniclimited.com/2015/08/18/production-meeting-2-refugee/
Interview with L.Y.C (Love Your Condom): Ricky Te Akau
1. When/why was LYC initiated?
L.Y.C is a community-focused programme designed to create a condom culture across Aotearoa New Zealand. L.Y.C encourages all gay and bisexual men to use condoms and lube every time they have sex. It is a sexy, upbeat call to ‘love your condom’. ‘Love your condom’ is about moving us past all those lame excuses not to be safe, and inspires us to not just tolerate, but love the sexy confidence that comes with condom covered cocks.
L.Y.C recognises that gay and bisexual men, the people most at risk of HIV, are influenced by their partners, whānau, friends, colleagues, employers and the environment in which they live. While it is essential that L.Y.C reaches and affects all gay and bisexual men living in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is also necessary to reach the people who can support, influence and enable gay and bisexual men to use condoms and lube every time they have anal sex. L.Y.C. Was originally launched in 2009 in it’s first iteration as ‘Get It On!’.
2. What is your role at NZAF?
I am the Social Marketing Coordinator Maori and look after aspects of online and mass media of L.Y.C. with a particular focus on Takatāpui and their whanau.
3. What is your opinion on sex work?
I believe in choices especially choices that empower individuals and allow lives to be lived and no judgements be made. As the old adage says sex work is the oldest profession and has been happening since the dawn of time . . . I think the stigma attached to sex work and workers is a new one.
4. Do you know the current statistics of HIV/AIDS in NZ?
The best place for the most up to date information would be to visit our website at NZAF http: http://www.nzaf.org.nz/
5. What services do NZAF & LYC offer?
Again all our NZAF services are listed on our website with LYC being the social marketing arm that promotes safe sexy times and being empowered in making the right decisions.
6. How could other people in society support NZAF?
There are no boundaries to assisting NZAF be it with your time in volunteering or through donating in a monetary sense. Our doors are always open.
7. What other organisations do NZAF work with?
The list is endless! We work with and support various organisations who likewise support LGBTQI and heterosexual people in either HIV prevention, people living with HIV and those who are there for assistance.
8. Tell me about the last World HIV/AIDS conference you attended in Melbourne last month?
Melbourne was an amazing opportunity to be able to see what other countries are doing in research, prevention and assistance for those affected directly and indirectly with HIV/AIDS. Some 15,000 passionate people from around the world attended and this brought about effective networking, sharing and valuable knowledge.
9. Why do you think HIV/AIDS is still so stigmatized in modern society?
The lack of knowledge around transmission and those that are affected by it. More education around the epidemic is needed and with this would come greater acceptance.
10. What do you think of the word ‘WHORE’?
The word has been bandied around for years and is inexplicably connected with prostitution . . . and in this sense is used in a derogatory way. I’m not one for name calling . . . and don’t think WHORE is an offensive word.
Interview With NZPC Founder, Sex Work Activist & Former Sex Worker: Catherine Healy
1. When/Why did you establish NZPC?
We established NZPC in 1987 to support each other and to address the illegality of our work in the face of police arrests and the potential of HIV to affect our work. We were determined to make conditions related to our work safer and had to to build awareness that legislative change was needed for this to happen.
2. Do you directly work with sex workers’ Catherine?
Most of my work involves direct work with sex workers on a daily basis.
3. What is your stance on underage sex work?
NZ shifted its focus to one of protecting sex workers who are under the age of 18, as opposed to one of prosecuting these young people. This used to be the case before the law changed in 2003.
4. Do you know the current statistics of sex workers in NZ?
I’m aware there are thousands of people who are either sex workers, or who have been sex workers, and who live and work quietly in New Zealand. There are many more people who pay sex workers.
5. What services do NZPC offer?
We focus on working safely, and supporting sex workers to access relevant information which can assist them to do this. People who are considering sex work approach NZPC as do those who want to move away from sex work. We support all.
6. How could other people in society support NZPC?
We are aware there are many individuals and organisations who support NZPC by referring those sex workers who may not know about us, to us. This is important support.
7. What other organisations do NZPC work with besides Women’s Refuge?
We work with a tremendous variety of organisations from Family Planning Association to Sexual Health Services to the NZ AIDS Foundation as well as government organisations.
8. Tell me about your involvement in decriminalizing prostitution in NZ? This bill was passed in 2003?
NZPC was instrumental in pushing for the decriminalisation of sex work. I first presented to a select committee as a representative of NZPC calling for this change in 1989. Decriminalisation of sex work has improved the occupational safety and health of sex workers throughout NZ. Street based sex workers were most frequently arrested and convicted of soliciting and it was a demeaning experience.
9. Why do you think ‘sex work’ is still so stigmatized in modern society?
Sex work is stigmatised because non sex workers are not really listening to the diverse voices of sex workers, and are only happy when sex work is depicted as a horrible “empty” experience. Sex workers would say it’s a lot of different kinds of experiences and want to be treated normally, and not as some problem to be fixed.
10. What do you think of the word ‘WHORE’?
WHORE is understood by sex workers to mean, “We Honour Ourselves with Respect and Empowerment.” It is a word which has been reclaimed by sex workers everywhere.
Play Reading: Whore
Let the storytelling begin!
‘Whore’ is a collection of monologues based on true events; about sex workers who live in Auckland, New Zealand. After extensive research, meetings and interviews; the work can (now) start.
The stories have unique titles called: Illegal Migrant, ‘Married Woman’, ‘Transgender’, ‘Underage Sex Worker’, ‘Rent Boy’ and ‘Refugee’. Performing in late May, in an alternative space: ‘charlatan clinic style’.
The cast involved: Rebecca Parr, Lee Ah Yen Faatoia and Geraldine Creff.
This project is in collaboration with up to 20 ‘creative’ people, and I am excited to be leading this process.
Join us on Facebook for all the updates –
Have You Paid For Intimacy?
My next theatre project is all about sex worker’s and their stories from the street.
Paying for sexual services is commonplace (in brothels or on the street), dating back hundreds if not thousands of years. So why is prostitution legal in some countries, and a death sentence in others?
“The Prostitution Reform Bill passed parliament on 25 June 2003. The parts decriminalising soliciting, brothel keeping, procuring and living on the earnings, came into effect on 28 June 2003.”
I am working with the NZPC (NZ Prostitute Collective) to gain understanding and insight into some of the lives of (local) sex workers, who choose to share their stories, warts and all.
‘Whore’ is performing in May 2014, more details to come on the blog.
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