I am me: a documentary about transgender/non-binary actors as they navigate transition, familial relationships, and their careers

This creative project features two subjects, sharing their stories to inspire a change of perception toward individuals in and outside of their community. Non-binary (NB), gender nonconforming (GNC), and transgender (trans) voices in media have a rough history of truthful depiction, and historically, they have largely been depicted on screen in negative and/or stereotypical ways (McLaren, Bryant, & Brown, 2021). I Am Me shows the supportive, morecelebratory side of transition through two unique and real stories. These stories showcase accurate depiction of living as a NB, GNC, or trans person as they pursue roles in the theatre and film industries. The documentary specifically explores the experiences of two actors, E.M. Davis (they/them) and Alan Belmont (he/them). During the film’s production, Alan recently changed his name to Mars. Both identify on the NB, GNC, or trans spectrum. E.M. is a professional actor in their 30s living in Chicago, and Mars is a recent graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he studied acting. Their stories are told through interviews and footage of their respective lives, and the documentary presents three distinct arcs: transition, relationships with family, and representation. E.M. and Mars’ stories are woven together through these segments to form a narrative with themes of bravery, acceptance, and knowing oneself. The result of this creative project is a 43-minute documentary that tells a cohesive and compelling narrative that focuses on the steps that E.M. is taking in their transition and their relationship with their husband, Spenser, and the evolution of Mars’ relationship with his mother and his imminent move to New York City to pursue a career in acting.