Plus vs straight size is an ongoing battle, but why must we discriminate and separate them? Documentary about sizeism in the plus size modelling industry, media representation, and body confidence.

Interview with Writer/Director Jess Pardoe

Watch Measure Up here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The premise of Measure Up! is something I have been wanting to make a film about for a long time. The body image battle is something that needs to be addressed more in today’s society due to social media being in our daily lives constantly. I have personally had issues with my own body and compared myself to others, which I now know is something I should never do. The film is aimed at those struggling with body image issues and those who are passionate about raising awareness of the fact that more than one body type can be considered beautiful.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Body image is a topic which is relatable to most young people. As my film is only a short documentary, my primary target audience is young women who have experienced body image issues. Measure Up! is an insightful film that looks closely at the plus size modelling industry through the eyes of models, a model mentor, and a fashion designer for a plus size clothing brand. I would recommend watching it as it uncovers some aspects of the power social media and society’s expectations can have over - predominantly - young people.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Universally, plus size celebrities are extremely uncommon. Despite the fact that the media is convinced we now have role models of all shapes and sizes, we do not. Adele and James Corden are both examples of plus size celebrities who inspire the younger generation, but there are very few others who are known globally. This is something that I hope will change over the coming years, and the pressure on young people to look like celebrities will become more acceptable as the celebrities themselves (hopefully) begin to allow their natural body shape without plastic surgery or freak diets. I believe that as long as you are healthy, your body shape should be accepted and celebrated.

Measure Up - Jerri Hoath on the catwalk at Curvy Convention - May 2016

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

The first treatment I wrote for my film was very different to the finished product. Two of the interviewees I had planned to film with were unable to continue due to modelling commitments. They would have been excellent subjects for the original film idea as they were straight size models who had been dropped from agencies for being ‘too big’. Initially I intended to explore the differences between the straight size and plus size modelling worlds, and try to understand why they cannot live as one. After the interviewees dropped out I had to rethink my film.

I reached out to Tiffany Mae Newson, whose story I had seen in an online newspaper; she agreed to meet with my producer, Emily, and I to discuss the production of Measure Up!. It was after meeting Tiffany that I knew I wanted to focus on the positivity of having plus size models in mainstream media and as other role models for teenagers today.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

When I screened the film at my university graduation screening I received such positive feedback from the audience members, some of whom I had not met before. A lot of the comments were from female members of the audience and they told me how they identified with the topic because of their own experiences.

I love to hear how people connect with and relate to a documentary through their own life; it is one of the main reasons I enjoy documentary filmmaking. What is even more satisfying is to show a film to an audience who are interested in the subject, which is why I am looking forward to screening publicly for the first time at London Feminist Film Festival 2016 on Saturday.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Measure Up! is my dissertation film and so we had feedback during university rough and fine cut screenings. The feedback that challenged me definitely came from these sessions as the audience I was screening the film to were far from the primary target audience. I always take constructive criticism on board and develop my ideas based on the reactions of those around me, however I also know that sometimes I have to trust my instinct and believe in my own ideas.

Measure Up - Introduction of Barbie Fashionistas ‘Curvy’ Barbie alongside Barbie dolls from 1990s/early 2000s - June 2016

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I know that having my film talked about on this website will allow a new audience of people to see and read about it who would probably never come across it elsewhere. Any publicity for Measure Up! is great because it’s such a relevant topic for 2016; I hope people will look out for the film when it is accessible via YouTube and share it among their social media to continue to raise awareness.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Anyone is welcome on board to spread the message of my film; however as it is currently a non-profit production my priority is looking for film festival directors who wish to screen the film and journalists who wish to write about it. I am grateful for any contributors as this film contains an important message and I will not refuse any positive help to do so.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

To raise consciousness and educate young women to accept that there can be more than one ‘ideal’ body type.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What is beauty?

Would you like to add anything else?

If you would like to know more or to contact Fringe Productions for any reason: fringeproductions@hotmail.com or visit the Measure Up! Facebook page /measureupdoc

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I, Jess, currently have a few documentary ideas in the pipeline, some of which surround women’s issues in western society, which is the theme I have been working with over the last two years. I hope to explore teenage life in 2016 as well as the impact of social media further as I develop my next short film… watch this space!

Interview: August 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Measure Up!

Length: 10:30 mins

Director: Jess Pardoe

Producer: Emily Mitchell

Writer: Jess Pardoe

About the writer, director and producer:

Jess, 22, is a documentary filmmaker from Leicestershire with a First Class Honours in BA Film. Her current focus is making films about women, for women.

Emily, 21, is a documentary producer and film editor from Bristol with a First Class Honours in BA Film.

Jess and Emily are founders of the production company ‘Fringe Productions’.

Music: Jack Olund, Joe Burton

Key cast: Tiffany Mae Newson, Jerri Hoath, Katrina Papadopoulos

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Film festival directors, journalists, and anyone else who would like to contribute to spreading the message of Measure Up!.

Funders: GoFundMe donators

Release date: Completion date: June 2016; Public release date: Aug/Sept 2016

Where can I watch it in the next month? London Feminist Film Festival – Saturday August 20th 2016; we are also hoping to have the film online via YouTube within the next month.