1. Producer/Director: Ian Dunning
University of Salford MA TV Documentary
Practice Research Project
Tutor: Erik Knudsen
Short Documentary Film Proposal
Working Title: “Sponger”
Immigrants to the UK – particularly those arriving from less developed countries – are often
represented in popular discourse as “scroungers” or “spongers” – unworthy parasites who, in
leaving their own countries, seek to take advantage of the higher wages and generous benefits
system available to them in the UK. At the same time, however, it is generally acknowledged that
these same immigrants have a reputation for working hard in the kind of tough manual jobs that
British people increasingly refuse to do themselves. This contradiction is perhaps most visible in
the spectacle of the unregulated hand carwash – an increasingly common feature of British towns
and cities – where the passing motorist can stop for a short time to relax with a free coffee, while a
team of young men of indeterminate origin – “spongers,” perhaps – evidently unclean themselves –
work quietly and efficiently to make his or her car look, feel and smell as good as new.
Looking in some detail at the life of one migrant worker working in one of these carwash
businesses, this short documentary film will attempt to counter the prevailing stereotypes and
prejudices that infect public discourse on the subject. Avoiding sensationalism as well as
sentimentality, the film will attempt to produce a realistic, clear-eyed portrait of a human being in a
particular social/historical situation, a portrait that, if it is successful, will have an impact on the
way viewers see and think about such people in future.
Casting and Narrative
In order to make the film, a suitable “character” will need to be found – a migrant worker, working
in a carwash, whose “story” or personality will work to communicate the basic concept of the film.
There may be a range of possibilities here – eg.
• a man with a concealed talent – a musician, artist, writer, etc.
• a man with strong family commitments, either in the UK or in his home country – wife,
children, etc.
• a man with strong ambitions
• a man escaping from a bad situation in his home country
• a man with a particularly engaging personality
The precise narrative of the film will follow from the particular individual who is chosen. While it
may be desirable for the character to have a strong personality or unusual narrative, it is at the same
time important that he be seen as representative rather than exceptional or atypical. If a suitable
character from a carwash cannot be found, it may be necessary to go with a different kind of
worker, although that would mean sacrificing the neat conceit of the title – “Sponger” – the
attention-grabbing qualities of which currently give the concept some significant selling power.
In order to find the character, it will be necessary to form partnerships with local community
workers and organisations who may be able to facilitate useful introductions. Organisations such as
Europia in Manchester and CHAWREC in Chester are likely to be invaluable to the whole project,
and it will be important that the relevant representatives of these organisations be contacted and
persuaded of the value of the film to their own causes.

2. Production
5-10 minutes in duration, the film will be assembled from the following materials:
• Video footage of the character working in the carwash
• Video footage of the character in his lodgings
• Video footage of the character at leisure – eg. shopping, socialising, etc.
• Photographs of the character with family etc. in his home country
• An audio recording of an interview with the character, edited and used as voiceover
throughout
• Audio recordings of the carwash and other relevant locations
Equipment/Crew/Budget
The film will be produced using professional quality equipment sourced from the University of
Salford Faculty of Arts and Media equipment store, specifically:
• Sony PMW-EX3 XDCAM professional broadcast HD camcorder
• Marantz PMD661mkII professional audio recorder + sound kit
• Manfrotto 504HD tripod
If possible, the film will be shot and edited exclusively by the producer/director. If necessary,
assistant crew will be sourced as volunteers from the pool of Masters students at the University of
Salford.
Basic expenses will be covered by the producer/director operating as a student.
Ethical Issues
In order for the production to proceed, formal permissions will need to be acquired from all relevant
individuals – specifically:
• the central subject/character of the documentary
• the owner of the carwash and/or other locations featured
• other workers and/or characters who appear in the film – eg. car-owners
It should be understood that the finished film will represent its subject in accordance with the ideas
laid out in this proposal. It is hoped that all parties involved will therefore be happy with the
finished product. Should any parties subsequently take issue with the form or content of the film,
the produder/director may be willing to make appropriate compromises, but ultimate creative
control of the film will remain with him.
Audience/Distribution
The film will not be made for any particular commercial purpose or any specific broadcasting
context. Nevertheless, it is hoped that it will reach a relatively wide audience on the film festival
circuit and serve a purpose perhaps in promoting the causes of the relevant partner organisations,
such as Europia and CHAWREC.
Once the film is made, it is hoped it may be useful in pitching the concept on a larger scale to
professional production companies and/or broadcasters such as Channel 4. Under the title,
Spongers, one might imagine a range of different possible productions, eg.

3. • An hour-long documentary about the lives of several carwash workers or other migrant
workers
• A documentary series along the same lines
• A television drama, drama series, soap opera or feature film
With this in mind, the following hypothetical poster has been drafted: