OKRE Final Report: My Blonde GF

This final report considers the development process and learnings from the OKRE supported MY BLONDE GF project. It details the knowledge produced through the collaboration between Rosie Morris, Helen Mort, Dr Afroditi Pina, Tyke Films, and Absolute Post.

The report begins with the seven development aims created to develop MY BLONDE GF, and discusses the seven learnings which came out of this process which are:

1. Ethics cannot be separated from process

2. Safeguarding is essential, and best practice develops through broad consultation

3. Consent allows for the creation of safe discomfort – which supports difficult conversations and artistic practice

4. Process can be a tool for empowerment

5. The discourse and treatment of victims of image-based abuse by the media can recreate the original trauma

6. For this project, the use of Deepfake technology was inappropriate and detracted from the narrative

7. We determined that the most powerful impact for this film would be minimise the distance between the audience and Helen’s experience for the purpose of encouraging digital literacy

The report contains a brief introduction, a list of collaborators, the list of development aims, and a narrative discussion of the learnings through the collaborative process. It concludes with recommendations for other practitioners, and poses questions for further enquiry.