Original proposal for a documentary
by Susan Brown and Ziggy Campbell

We propose to make a documentary style film based around the blues musician T-Model Ford. At nearly eighty years old, T-Model Ford is a relic of the old time blues culture. After researching his past we discovered that he used to be a trucker (possibly explaining his chosen moniker) and this inspired us to propose an on-the-road documentary.We intend to chauffer the artist between two of his three dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. We want to use a Scottish built car as his taxi, and during research we found a car called the Hillman Imp. Of course there are inherent complications in this proposal such as:
Neither of us can drive

We don’t know anyone with a Hillman Imp

T-Model Ford might not like Hillman Imps

Hillman Imp was born circa 1960 and is therefore old

Hillman might not make the journey at this late stage in his life

T–Model might not make it either. However, these factors could bring the right amount of chaos to the film. We would like to document the entire process, for example, trying to find a Hillman Imp owner willing to let us use their beloved vintage wagon. Or attempting to contact T-Model Ford and persuade him to participate. The filming of these experiences are of just as much importance to us as documenting the proposed road trip, and even the concert.

All of these elements will make the film stand up as a piece in its own right, as opposed to just straight documentation of a gig. To cap it all off, T-Model Ford is playing in Aberdeen with the band Uncle John and Whitelock on the 28th of April, leaving very little time to organise all of this. The almost impossibility of it all should create a ’striving’ feel within the film. This has a direct reference to the resolute grit of blues music and culture, which T-Model Ford is such a part of.