Episode 187: Mental Health in #BCFilm with Heather Perluzzo

Content warning: This episode contains frank and graphic talk about mental health, mental illness, and suicide. If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or a loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7/365 at 1.833.456.4566. You can also find links to international suicide prevention and mental health support services in the footnotes for this episode. You matter. You’re not alone. In the first episode of our series about the relationship between mental health and the film and television industry, Sabrina is joined by indie filmmaker Heather Perluzzo (Hatch, Girl in the Galactic Sun). On July 9, Heather posted a note on social media in which she addressed mental illness and addiction in Vancouver’s indie film community. Here’s an excerpt from Heather’s post: “Addiction and emotional illness… are prevalent throughout our industry. And going through the system I had many a head nod at me once I said I'm in the film industry saying ‘yeah, we have a lot of people from that industry come through here.’ As filmmakers our job is also to be kind, and to be kind with our schedules and expectations. And that's something that may be hard to grasp, because as film workers we feel that we are easily ‘replaceable’ and we are made to feel [that]. But that doesn't excuse the fact that 18-hour days shouldn't be a thing. That people who aren't willing to go above and beyond their pay grade are not valuable to the team.” In this special episode of the YVR Screen Scene Podcast, Heather discusses the motivations behind her social media post, and the ways in which the film and television industry fails film workers living with mental illness. Episode sponsor: Fish Flight Entertainment