Shred

Bodybuilding pushes the pursuit of looking good to the extreme. If you had the opportunity to reach physical perfection, would you take it?

We need your support to tell this important story on Loading Docs’ award-winning short documentary platform.

THE FILM

TikTok and Instagram have amplified the sport of Bodybuilding as a new generation pursue the perfect body. Many young men now feel pressure to live up to an unattainable physique. Follow male bodybuilders as they prepare to compete in a local competition. In a sport where big is never big enough, when do you stop?

When was the last time you heard a young man talk about how he feels about his body? Men across Aotearoa are feeling the pressure to look a certain way, and social media apps like TikTok and Instagram are a catalyst. Our culture has been saturated with hypermasculine imagery for decades from Spider-Man, the Marvel universe, TikTok and sports stars. With the never-ending scroll of six-packs, as well as social isolation, many young men feel inadequate and anxious.

As the debate around social media and the effect it’s having on young people’s mental health continues, this documentary will explore the human side of the online feedback loop in the bodybuilding community, and what consequences it has on their daily lives.

Join us by donating to this compelling short documentary.

THE TEAM

Director Harry Wynn and his producing partner Lesley Hansen have worked together for almost two years at the production house, GFC Films. This is Harry and Lesley second collaboration after making a documentary for TVNZ called, Young & Hooked on Chemsex.

THE TARGET

As part of the Loading Docs initiative, we need to raise a minimum of $3,500 through Boosted to pay our crew, hire equipment, fund location costs and travel costs.

Once we reach our minimum target, it will unlock funding from Loading Docs. But this is an all or nothing campaign. If we don’t reach our target, we don’t get anything! That’s why we need your help.

Once we reach our target, we will focus on reaching our stretch goal, so that we will be able to pay for more shoot days and follow the unfolding story of our bodybuilders.

Loading Docs is an award-winning short documentary initiative to develop New Zealand filmmaking talent. Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air with support from NZFC and Te Māngai Pāho.

Thank you for your support.

Harry and Lesley

THE FILMMAKERS

Harry Wynn (director) has written and directed two documentaries including Three Ticks Chlöe, which was produced by Wrestler and distributed by The Spinoff. Harry is passionate about all aspects of documentary filmmaking. He worked for three years as part of the production team at Matthew Metcalfe's production company, GFC Films, and is now a Production Coordinator at Stripe Studios, a company which specialises in creating documentary and reality television shows.

Lesley Hansen (producer) was production manager on the adaptation for the international release of, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck and Billion Dollar Heist, a feature documentary about one of the biggest cyber heists of all time. Lesley is currently developing a feature-length documentary with Harry Wynn and line producing two feature-length documentaries through GFC Films.