The Making of "Big As Life: Obesity in America" (Continued)

I sent them away with a satchel of books and videos. I felt wonderful about the meeting. It is not often I get to spend two hours taking about myself, my experience, and showing my art. At the very end of the meeting, Gerard asked if I wanted to be in the show. Of course I said yes!

Filming was slated to begin in early December. I had my hair done and got both dogs, my Australian Shepherds Neilli and Chance, groomed. I received permission from my workplace for the crew to film there. I cleaned my house some more; they were going to film at the house, also. I eagerly anticipated THE DAY.

They started out filming where I work. It was so exciting. They came in with lights and cameras and set up a little movie set right in the office. They asked me to pull up some artwork on my screen (I am a graphic artist). You may have noticed the ISAA "The Size of Your Body Should be Nobody's Bu$$ineSS" poster on-screen during the film. I designed this poster, so it seemed a good choice. They filmed me typing, moving the cursor, and scrolling around the artwork. All of this without sound. The plan was for them to interview me at my home. This film was to have a voice-over with it in the final film.

They filmed me walking around the office. Gerard had me take the poster mentioned above out of the processor and lay it out on a table, then measure it. They filmed me leaving work and getting into my car. It was all pretty heady stuff. They wanted me to be relaxed and comfortable, so they were quite solicitous. I can see why people who do this for a living get swelled heads; the attention was just something else.

Next the whole crew moved to my house. It took some time to get set up there, as they had to deal with the issue of street noise (I live next to a busy through-street). They also had to figure out how to do the interview, where I should it, what angle they should use, etc.

Gerard interviewed me for the film. It was an odd experience in that his voice was not to be in the film. That is, there would be no one asking me questions. The voice-over would set up what I was about to say, then my film would be inserted. I was asked to essentially restate the question in my answer to give the editors as much leeway as possible when they put the whole business together.

The interview was quite long. Much longer than what actually ended up in the final version of the film. I had a note from Donald Cooper (the writer), after the show premiered on June 9. He said they had enough film for at least two more documentaries without further research. They were hopeful Discovery would get a good viewer response, which could very well encourage them to fund further films.

After my interview was completed, I did participate one more time in "Big As Life." I had encouraged them to contact my endocrinologist, C. Wayne Callaway, M.D. They had done so and wanted to show Dr. Callaway with a patient. Since I was one, they used me. I got to be a "star" again in late January, as well as hear Dr. Callaway's entire interview. Sadly, much of his interview was not used in the film. It is a shame because he is one of the most articulate and caring doctors I have ever known.