‘Georgia’s Story’ is one of a series of short documentary films I directed for Convatec, exploring the lived experiences of people with stomas. Created as part of a wider campaign to highlight the prevalence of hidden physical health conditions, the films empower real people to tell their stories in a bid to reduce societal stigma around stomas and hidden conditions. 

A key challenge was trying to distil the essence of Georgia’s journey into a one and a 90 second film: After an emergency operation at 19 left her with most of her large bowel removed and a permanent ileostomy, the psychological toll outweighed the physical; Societal pressure to conform to beauty standards, early rejection from her friendship group and stigma from others shaped her early experiences of having a stoma, making public spaces feel daunting.

We opted to tell Georgia’s story through her recollection of a recent trip to a local swimming pool with her younger sister, and how getting into the water led to an unexpectedly transformative moment of peace and acceptance.

Director & Stills Photographer - Marcus Crocker @crocker_creations_UK

Client - Convatec @convatecstomauk
Agency - Iris Worldwide @irisworldwide
Creative Director - Jan Pruijser @itsjaanjaan
Senior Producer - Georgina Moxey @georginamoxey
Producer - Ella Wilson @ellalwilson
Account Manager - Lucy Simonds @lucysimonds
Production - IAMJACK @iamjackuk
EP - Tom Andrews @tom.andrews.film
Producer & AD - Samuel Edwards @samueledwards
Camera Assistant - Giselle Sohra @giselle.sohra
Sound @thesoundof
Edit - Tom Andrews @tom.andrews.film
Post EP @charlotteelizabethanne at @creative.outpost
Colour @alexandre_nrzc at @creative.outpost
DOP - Adam Prosser @adamprosserdop

Kit via @matthegaff and @jono.coetzee @directdigitalhq