LOGLINE

TINY DANCER is the story of a dancer in theatre school struggling with disordered eating who after receiving a misguided gift from her mother, starts on a journey to reconnect with her inner child.

 

SYNOPSIS

Scarlett is an aspiring professional dancer attending theatre school in Toronto. On the day of her 18th birthday, she is feeling especially isolated and struggles to put herself first. The dance industry and society’s expectations are weighing her down, causing her to question her career choice and even her very worth. Her peers Garret and Nadia her institution, social media, and even her family constantly remind her in subtle ways how she falls short of these unrealistic and conflicting standards. After receiving a misguided gift from her mother, she experiences an episode of bulimia that reveals to her a vision of her childlike self, her inner child. We watch her rediscover her “little” self’s instincts and begin to embrace her own needs through a dream-ballet sequence where she learns a new way to dance from her younger self. This story-telling sequence nods to dance classics such as A Chorus Line, Centre Stage, and Chicago.

 

This film intends to portray eating disorders within the performing arts industries on camera in an honest, free of stigma, and non-romanticized light. It is also meant to explore the microaggressions that can often contribute to the development of body dysmorphia and various eating disorders. The piece aims to bring solace to survivors in the fact that they are not alone in a continuing journey to healing. It is also meant to be empathetic towards all players in this narrative, as body image affects all in one way or another.