Bulking Up
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After another rejection, an ambitious young actor takes on a gruelling twelve-week bulking regime to advance his career and defeat his crippling insecurities. But his dedication soon spirals into obsession and has extreme consequences.
Bulking Up is a short film about muscle dysmorphia and men's mental health. We follow our protagonist Danny (Micky David) as he battles with the perception of his own appearance, whilst his world starts to fall apart.
The Story
Bulking Up is a short film about muscle dysmorphia and men's mental health. We follow our protagonist Danny (Micky David) as he battles with the perception of his own appearance, whilst his world starts to fall apart.
The Story
Whenever Danny, an ambitious young actor, looks in the mirror he is crippled by what he sees. After securing the audition of a lifetime he dreams of a successful career and beautiful life with his loving girlfriend, Rachel. However, after yet another rejection and seeing the muscular actor who landed the role Danny’s crippling insecurities intensify. As his agent always reminds him- Look. Is. Everything.
Determined to propel his career and achieve the muscular physique he’s always longed for, Danny discovers Rex, an online fitness influencer. Rex seems to have it all- the body of an Adonis, over a hundred thousand followers and a lifestyle to die for. Following in his footsteps Danny takes on Rex’s notorious twelve-week bulking regime. Four thousand calories a day. High weights, low reps. Eat big, get big. No pain, no gain.
As Danny embarks on this gruelling fitness plan and extreme diet, his dedication devolves into obsession. With his mental and physical health spiralling, bulking up takes centre stage in Danny’s life. There is no room for anything else. His once picture-perfect relationship with his girlfriend Rachel falls apart, friends eventually stop calling and he loses the only job keeping him afloat. All that’s left is calorie counting, lifting weights and his idol - Rex. Prepared to do whatever it takes to reach his goal Danny turns to steroids.
After twelve weeks Danny’s life has turned upside down. Despite finally bagging the role of a lifetime, his life now seems empty and Danny enters his darkest chapter. His once exciting future with Rachel is now entirely lost. Adrift and without direction, Danny looks to Rex for the answers but instead encounters a horrific truth. The man who had it all - the body, the money, the fame, has taken his own life. Will Danny learn from his mistakes or blindly follow in Rex’s footsteps?
Like many young men, Danny feels the pressure to bulk up and obtain a muscular physique. It is estimated that 10% of men that go to the gym have muscle dysmorphia. Muscle dysmorphia is defined by the delusional or exaggerated belief that one’s own body is insufficiently lean or insufficiently muscular. The condition has serious implications on men’s relationships, careers and finances, all of which can lead to depression and even suicide.
Determined to propel his career and achieve the muscular physique he’s always longed for, Danny discovers Rex, an online fitness influencer. Rex seems to have it all- the body of an Adonis, over a hundred thousand followers and a lifestyle to die for. Following in his footsteps Danny takes on Rex’s notorious twelve-week bulking regime. Four thousand calories a day. High weights, low reps. Eat big, get big. No pain, no gain.
As Danny embarks on this gruelling fitness plan and extreme diet, his dedication devolves into obsession. With his mental and physical health spiralling, bulking up takes centre stage in Danny’s life. There is no room for anything else. His once picture-perfect relationship with his girlfriend Rachel falls apart, friends eventually stop calling and he loses the only job keeping him afloat. All that’s left is calorie counting, lifting weights and his idol - Rex. Prepared to do whatever it takes to reach his goal Danny turns to steroids.
After twelve weeks Danny’s life has turned upside down. Despite finally bagging the role of a lifetime, his life now seems empty and Danny enters his darkest chapter. His once exciting future with Rachel is now entirely lost. Adrift and without direction, Danny looks to Rex for the answers but instead encounters a horrific truth. The man who had it all - the body, the money, the fame, has taken his own life. Will Danny learn from his mistakes or blindly follow in Rex’s footsteps?
Like many young men, Danny feels the pressure to bulk up and obtain a muscular physique. It is estimated that 10% of men that go to the gym have muscle dysmorphia. Muscle dysmorphia is defined by the delusional or exaggerated belief that one’s own body is insufficiently lean or insufficiently muscular. The condition has serious implications on men’s relationships, careers and finances, all of which can lead to depression and even suicide.
What is Muscle Dysmorphia?
Muscle dysmorphia is defined as the delusional or exaggerated belief that one's own body is too small, too skinny, insufficiently muscular, or insufficiently lean. It is a condition that falls under the larger umbrella of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
Muscle Dysmorphia can cause enormous impacts on a sufferer's work and personal life, with dietary and exercise regimens completely taking over. This in turn frequently leads to other significant mental health issues such as Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, bulimia, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
Research shows that around 22% of men diagnosed with BDD also meet the criteria for Muscle Dysmorphia. Whilst it is not known precisely how many people, studies show that potentially 0.5% of all men suffer from MD.
In the UK amounts to approximately 165,000 people.
Around 1 in 8 men in England suffer from a common mental health problem.
5821 suicides were recorded in the UK in 2017. 75% of these were men.
Suicide represents the largest cause of death for men under 50.
For the majority of men, mental health issues are associated with shame, and a loss of masculinity - so many don’t reach out for the help they so desperately need.
There is no silver bullet for this issue, but the more we talk, and the more we make people see that it’s okay not to be okay we can save lives.
Through Bulking Up, we hope to start a conversation and perpetuate the discussion that makes people see that it’s okay to ask for help.
Muscle dysmorphia is defined as the delusional or exaggerated belief that one's own body is too small, too skinny, insufficiently muscular, or insufficiently lean. It is a condition that falls under the larger umbrella of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
Muscle Dysmorphia can cause enormous impacts on a sufferer's work and personal life, with dietary and exercise regimens completely taking over. This in turn frequently leads to other significant mental health issues such as Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, bulimia, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
Research shows that around 22% of men diagnosed with BDD also meet the criteria for Muscle Dysmorphia. Whilst it is not known precisely how many people, studies show that potentially 0.5% of all men suffer from MD.
In the UK amounts to approximately 165,000 people.
Around 1 in 8 men in England suffer from a common mental health problem.
5821 suicides were recorded in the UK in 2017. 75% of these were men.
Suicide represents the largest cause of death for men under 50.
For the majority of men, mental health issues are associated with shame, and a loss of masculinity - so many don’t reach out for the help they so desperately need.
There is no silver bullet for this issue, but the more we talk, and the more we make people see that it’s okay not to be okay we can save lives.
Through Bulking Up, we hope to start a conversation and perpetuate the discussion that makes people see that it’s okay to ask for help.
How?
Bulking Up is a film that discusses deeply important issues, and to do justice to the story as well as the people who are living the truth of this film, we have to do things a bit differently.
We plan on shooting Bulking Up in three separate blocks, over three months. The idea behind this method is to properly show the transformation of Danny as his issues with Muscle Dysmorphia worsen throughout his story. Our writer & lead actor Michael David will carry out a modified and safe version of a 12-week bulking program - this is the only way we can be truly authentic to the issues and people at the heart of this film.
To ensure the actor’s welfare throughout this process, professional consultation from a personal trainer who specialises in working with actors training for specific roles will be sought, in addition to routine monitoring by the company, who will ensure Michael’s welfare throughout this process.
This alternative production style does bring with it a fairly significant impact on the cost of production, therefore we also have contingency plans in place for a conventional shoot over three consecutive days.
- We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of filming. In order to put this into practice, we intend to implement several measures.
- All cast & crew will be encouraged to bring their own reusable containers for both hot and cold beverages.
- All disposable food & drink containers will be recyclable, and the product will ensure that recycling is in place.
- Production will utilise public transport where possible and ensure that any vehicles used are low/no emission where possible.
- We will also use alternative methods of transport such as bicycle couriers.
Help be the change, help us to change lives.
Risks and challenges
Any short film carries with it inherent challenges - from financing to resources.
Bulking Up has a team of incredibly experienced individuals with significant experience managing budgets, finances, and making short films the best they can possibly be.
Due to the nature of the subject, shooting methods and our lead actors' experience with the subject matter, there is also an inherent risk with regard to his welfare. All involved acknowledge this risk, and additional welfare support and controls will be put in place to ensure the actor is supported during the process.
In addition to these project-specific risks, the last 18 months have also brought the consideration of COVID precautions. Whilst we all hope that by the time we go into production towards the end of the year, the majority of restrictions will have been lifted, we are prepared to adapt to any unexpected changes.
Firework has a robust COVID policy, with experienced COVID supervisors who will be on hand to ensure compliance with any and all required legislation as well as ensure we maintain a covid safe environment for all cast & crew.
Fundraising team (2)
Dominic Bolton
Organizer
England
Micky David
Team member