ABOUT REDUCTION
      The breast is a double-edged sword: it is both revered as a symbol of fertility and feminine beauty while also maligned as a root of immortality and depravity. Led by a powerhouse of female filmmakers and directed by Emmy award-winning Sarah Moshman, REDUCTION (working title) is a feature-length documentary that dives into the medical practice of breast reduction surgery and along the way addresses an explosion of themes spanning across womanhood and all that it means to have, to hold, and to love breasts.

 

     The average size of the female breast continues to increase, yet the choice of breast reduction surgery remains a procedure held in low regard. Our documentary examines this seldom discussed surgery by following a group of people from diverse backgrounds who all share the same struggle: their breast size negatively impacts their quality of life. REDUCTION explores the cultural context, medical science, and social stigma surrounding breasts, through the lens of those making the life-changing decision to undergo breast reduction surgery.

 

   We invite you to join our team by helping us get these impactful stories told and reveal the broader importance and impact of breasts, and what it means to have "breast health".

 

STATUS
     We are ready to begin production and are seeking the necessary funding to get us through this next phase. Dollars raised will go toward paying our director and crew, providing needed equipment, and allowing travel to interview destinations. Our goal is to begin and end production in 2022 with the intention of showing our film at film festivals throughout 2023, and more generally thereafter. We've worked diligently throughout the pandemic, completing research, pre-production, and development. The next piece needed is your support and partnership.

WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR? 
     We are asking for your help and support. As a donor, you become part of a bigger idea and project that will have a genuine impact on the lives of others and help to propel real change. You are helping us to turn up the volume on the overlooked health and wellness issues faced by those with breasts too large to bear.

 

     Any amount you are able to give will have a meaningful impact on our ability to share this story with the world. We are fortunate enough to have partnered with Fractured Atlas, a fiscal sponsor of independent artists, who believes in the work we are doing. And, your contribution can be tax deductible!

 

     Storytellers who are able to lead us to greater empathy and personal understanding have the power to shape lives, and with this moment we can turn up the volume on those voices. 

 

     Thank you for being on this journey with us. We look forward to having you on the REDUCTION team and sharing our film with you! 

 

       The subject of breast reduction serendipitously brought us together to create REDUCTION. Each of us has personal experience with a daughter, wife, or friend struggling with the extreme difficulties of large breasts. We have watched these women live with debilitating back pain, reduced ability to exercise, emotional distress, sexual objectification, and little or no support from health insurance. Even the simple task of finding bras and clothing is a tough and frustrating job for them. Through the power of film and storytelling, we will shine light on these personal journeys and raise awareness on the subject of large breasts. We believe the revelations in REDUCTION will lead to societal change and a better understanding of these women and the breasts they bear.

 

     Sarah Moshman is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and TEDx speaker whose work has been featured on Upworthy, Marie Claire, CNN, and Good Morning America. Recently Sarah has been all about breasts, as she has been breast-feeding her baby. She understands first hand how breasts change, almost everyday, and this inspires her desire and curiosity to explore the life and stories of women bearing the burden of oversized breasts.

Her first feature doc The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things (2014) has been screened over 700 times around the US and around the world in schools, groups, organizations and corporations starting conversations about gender equality. Sarah's second feature doc, Losing Sight of Shore (2017) follows the incredible journey of four women who rowed across the Pacific Ocean.  NEVERTHELESS is Sarah’s third feature documentary which takes a look behind the headlines of #MeToo and Time’s Up to shine a light on the sexual harassment crisis and use the power of cinema for change.

 

 

     Kelley became personally and passionately interested in the stories of women seeking breast reduction when her daughter decided to have reduction surgery. She is passionate about women’s health and bringing light to the many health inequities women face. Creating a documentary about women with oversized breasts through the lens of breast reduction feels to her like a natural step in activism through the medium of filmmaking. Kelley’s career background began in high tech and expanded to beauty and entertainment, with a focus on communications. As a TV entertainment host she interviewed a variety of celebrities and notables but found the most inspiration in documentary filmmakers and their subjects.

 

     Alexandra discovered her passion for filmmaking while studying at the University of Southern California for her Bachelors and Masters of Science in electrical engineering. After working full-time as an engineer, she decided to return to USC for her third degree, a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production. Since working on REDUCTION Alex has learned so much about women’s breasts and women’s health surrounding breasts that her enthusiasm for the project grows with every new story. She has also been influenced by the stories of family and friends who endure the limitations of living with over-sized breasts. She is determined to tell these “breast stories” and foster needed change in the many areas brought to light by these people and this subject.

 

     Courtney has a very personal interest in REDUCTION, being the recipient of breast reduction surgery herself. She is passionate about bringing this subject matter to the screen and to create greater support, understanding, and bring knowledge to the forefront. During her undergraduate tenure at Occidental College, Courtney wrote and produced two original works and produced many other students’ work. After receiving her MFA from The Peter Stark Producing program at USC (’13), Courtney worked as the project coordinator for a large-scale art studio: Poetic Kinetics, Inc. In her 2 years With PKI, she coordinated projects for clients such as Golden Voice (Coachella Music Fest ‘14, ‘15) and Cirque Du Soleil (Toruk). Currently, she’s managing and producing live events in Los Angeles.

 

 

Jillian came to REDUCTION and embraced the subject immediately. She has become inspired to help tell these stories and is excited to be part of the team and project. Jillian feels passionate about women being able to make decisions about their own bodies, and can see the many branches of story that will emanate from REDUCTION and the possibility of expanding into other breast stories. As an award-winning documentary filmmaker and editor, Jillian has a passion for telling stories that draw viewers into the heart of the human experience. Recent editing highlights include Invisible, a documentary about fibromyalgia, Body Electric, a film that explores body image in the LGBTQ community, and Secrets of the Viking Stone, a 6 part documentary series (Discovery Channel).