Juan-Carlos Francisco Asse
Five years ago while running with my friend and now film manager I told her "I want to make a movie." I always wondered what would happen if I took an unhealthy, obese person and changed their lifestyle to be like mine... eating a whole-food plant-based diet and exercising...and filming all the changes that occurred as they transformed into a healthy person. At the time, this was just a dream because I knew absolutely nothing about making a film. I went to school for business and I owned a gym...and I had gotten out of federal prison after doing a seven-year sentence for drugs five years prior to that, so film making was not something I had any experience with. I bought a small camera, a tripod, and I interviewed a few potential subjects to film. And Unsupersize Me had begun. I spent a year mentoring, filming, and training my subject Tracy Ryan to losing 200 lbs in a year. I had 19 hours of footage and a great story...with just one small problem. I did not have a clue how to edit! I embarked on an error-riddled journey of making a movie with no experience. It was challenging, frustrating, and fun. It took me a year, but I released Unsupersize Me to the public and I was surprised and proud to win 4 film festival awards... and change many lives for the better as the message spread. I fell in love with the magic of film making...the platform it provides to share your message, the seemingly limitless creative process, and the true feeling of satisfaction to see your film on the big screen. My second film is a continuation of my love affair with film making and spreading this message of health that I have dedicated my life to... I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it