Project Proposal

It Runs in the Family

The idea for this is to create a documentary, maybe later into an installation piece, to do with the issues behind eating disorders.

What has made me personally do this touching subject is I am currently myself, just admitted to a 13 year problem from Anorexia to me now being diagnosed with Bulimia. I really want to show that it’s nothing to do with vanity and wanting to be thin, it’s all about controlling your life with food. Which has made it even more intense is that my dad Rodney 52yrs of age finally admitted to his own problem and I really what to see how much this runs in the family as 9 out of 10, has someone in their family that have or are suffering with an eating disorder.

I really want to get the message across its nothing to do with being a size 0 that’s the press is trying to put blame on these issues which are completely separate, as the cause of Anorexia and Bulimia. When the truth is it’s a way of coping, with certain events, in one’s life like Divorce, bullying and abuse etc. I really think this will open people’s eyes more to these problems than hiding behind excuses. Might also help people who have been hiding their problem be honest with their selves?

Over the years Anorexia has been worldwide know as an eating disorder and mental problem, but unfortunately Bulimia Nervous is very new, well not that new more as not being seen as one till the early 80s mainly. Girls between the ages 15 to 25 suffer but not always the case this is normally when they have been diagnosed, more men are too. This is more of a western part of the world, as there is more access to luxuries.

I have started this off by talking to the charity B-EAT and also my psychiatrist Lesley Meadows who gave me information on First steps in Derby. I already have four interviews lined up with girls from B-EAT and my Dad has agreed to be interviewed. These are taking place w/c 26th October in their own places so I can get some footage to kick start this. I am devising a number of questions and also I have a lot of emails telling me their life experiences. I don’t want this to be a typical documentary I want to make get a message across without stats and too many facts.