Going to the premiere of a documentary is a pretty big deal – especially if it’s the first one you’ve directed.
Drew Kenworthy’s celebrity premiere of Change was studded with the full marketing package – a red carpet, paparazzi and interviews.
“It was all glamour and glitz. It was just one big night,” says the former St. Albert resident describing Red Deer’s capacity-full Galaxy Cinema.
The former Paul Kane High student and Sturgeon Composite High grad, is now president of the Red Deer based Shoe Lace media, a multi-platform business that creates corporate web designs, videos, and graphic designs.
About one year ago, Cable McElderry, fitness guru and owner of One to 1 Fitness, approached Kenworthy with an offer to fund a 15-minute documentary that would put a spotlight on his gym.
“I’d always wanted to get into film, but it never worked out. To have the opportunity to do a film was amazing and to have somebody fund it was even better,” says Kenworthy, 37.
Armed with a $5,000 budget, the original focus was to train the lens around one athlete who had won a challenge. Interested athletes were to fill out a questionnaire and return it to Kenworthy for selection.
But after reading through them, he went back to McElderry saying, “I can’t choose. These stories are so amazing. I realized there was so much more to it and each was contributing a different piece of the puzzle.”
The duo increased the budget, brought in five individuals and expanded the storyline to 34 minutes.
“When it was said and done, it was way less about the gym and more about their achievements and how they were able to overcome their struggles. We accept people are overweight. We accept people have diabetes. But we’re not always sure that through fitness and nutrition we can change. This film shows that we are capable of overcoming the challenges in our life.”
Over a nine-month period Kenworthy observed and filmed his athletes wrestling with their personal issues and successfully losing weight.
Brad, a man in his mid-50s was a Type II diabetic who was overweight and had reached a breaking point.
“Through fitness, he’d lost 50 pounds, went off his medication and ran four triathlons.”
Barb, a woman in her mid-50s had a slow metabolism and suffered from arthritis and chronic pain in her hips.
“The doctor told her she needed hip replacement. While waiting for surgery, she decided to go to the gym. She’s now in a state where she’s pain-free and doesn’t need to take medication.”
Lisa, a substitute teacher in her mid-30s, was about 50 pounds overweight.
“When she started working out she had little energy. As she lost weight, she developed confidence in herself and got a job. What I love is she’s teaching the stuff she learned at the gym and implementing it at school.”
A second Lisa, working as a dog groomer, enjoyed socializing and good food. Like many of us, she enjoyed it the wrong way. Lack of energy, depression, sore feet and non-stop tiredness were continual companions.
“She lost 70 pounds and is much more happy. She can run with her dog and they go on long walks. She still invites people over, but cooks in a healthy way, and she is engaged to be married.”
The final athlete is Nicky, an insurance broker who lost 14 inches and 25 pounds.
“Her story is not as key. Her story is more about the example of somebody who maintains a healthy lifestyle and works out.”
For the present, Kenworthy will not be screening Change in St. Albert.
“An idea we would like to see is putting the documentary in the hands of a network or showing it in a couple of schools. At the moment we’re looking at options.”
Filming the documentary and attending the premiere were adrenalin fuelled moments.
“The value of the documentary is how it inspires people to come together and make changes in their lives. To me, it’s a success.”
