There’s Something HUGE Coming Our Way
- Jun, 25 2010
- By elinstebbinswaldal
- Blog
- 7 comments
What does an Author of a book about teen dating violence know about a HUGE life?
Plenty more than you might guess. But the old saying goes? A picture tells a thousand words.
This photo of me was taken roughly one year after the relationship that is the subject of my memoir, Tornado Warning, had ended.
At the end of my relationship I was just over 100 pounds. One year later I was approaching 170.
During that time of self-discovery many years ago, I can safely say there were ZERO shows on TV that I could relate to physically or emotionally, and absolutely no magazines that helped me process my changing body or the pain I had suffered. As I remember it? That was a lonely time.
As a member of the Actionist Network® a community of professionals committed to creating a nation of confident women and girls, I am dedicated to, among other things, finding media sources that represent life…
REAL life that is. What’s a “Pseudo Life?” you may be thinking. Of course all lives are real.
But more times than not what is depicted for us as viewers of Television and Big Screen is a small view. Kind of like looking into a telescope backward? Things get narrow and really far away.
Now we all know Hollywood is the Entertainment Capital, (key word ‘entertainment’) do the producers of TV shows and Movies have a responsibility to bring us true to life story lines? And if they do…Will we watch?
A number of months ago I was at a meeting where the keynote speaker (and my wonderful friend,) Jess Weiner, asked the following question to a group of kids:
“If we can get a producer to bring you the REAL deal…will you watch?” As I looked around the room all the heads were bobbing “YES.”
So here we go…ready or not? Here it comes!!!
“HUGE”
will make its series premiere on Monday, June 28 at 9/8c, on ABC
“ABC FAMILY is proud to announce “Huge,” a new one-hour drama premiering this year. Here’s the scoop. “Huge” is a new drama about one life changing experience at a weight-loss camp for teens. Funny, heartbreaking and provocative, “Huge” follows the lives of both the campers and the staff, as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and provocative — just like life.”
Perspective from a Teen! Listen to what Emily-Anne thinks about HUGE…
“>
AS for me? I think Emily-Anne is AMAZING!
I welcome you to join the conversation too.
What do you think of a show with a focus on over weight kids discovering who they are?
Do you plan to watch?
If you could write a real story for a TV show, what would it be about?
Domestic violence affects children, teenagers, women, and men but one of the most overlooked victims remains the pets.
Jess
LOVE your post. SO brave Elin and so connective to all women. You are such a bright light in this world. And isn’t Shcmids the best!!
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Amy Jussel, Shaping Youth
I think I’m doing the ‘shock and awe’ thing. You never told me that side of your teen dating violence recovery…wow, Elin. Just, wow. You are such an amazing women and warrior for authenticity and slogging through the muck with purpose and resilience.
I’m honored to know you…and of course, Emily-Anne just ROCKS. She’s going up on my next post when I do the media literacy piece…
Congrats on an insightful, poignant angle, I hope the show does what it SHOULD do in terms of bringing the REAL out and tamping down the rivalry/snark and melodrama madness that is so pervasive in the shows that seem to pull numbers and ‘succeed.’
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