Last week I received thoughtful and encouraging feedback on my proof of concept, both from classmates and from my potential committee members. I’m really grateful that many people responded strongly to the emotional honesty and vulnerability in the piece. The use of voiceover, personal experiences, and visual symbolism (such as clocks, lights, spaces, food objects) seems to have worked well in conveying my inner emotional rhythm. Several people noted that the intimate, vlog-style format allowed the audience to enter my lived experience rather than simply observe it.

Some of the technical feedback I received — such as adding more intentional sound design, adjusting music choices, and paying attention to breath sounds on the mic — will help me refine the emotional tone of future versions. I also heard thoughtful suggestions about structure and direction: some viewers expected the narrative to evolve toward exploring healthier relationships with food, while others were curious about the shift toward social media and digital pressures. This has helped me think more clearly about how to articulate my overarching thesis and build toward it.

From my potential chair and committee, I also received supportive and strategic suggestions about possibly expanding the narrative through additional perspectives — whether via interviews with other young women or through the inclusion of research or expert framing within the film. This helps me balance the documentary between deeply personal storytelling and broader contextual significance.

Looking ahead, I hope that the finished documentary can spark meaningful conversations about eating disorders beyond the academic setting. Ideally, I envision sharing it on social media platforms—such as YouTube, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu—as well as through mental health and cultural awareness networks, to raise public understanding about the lived experiences of individuals struggling with eating disorders, particularly within the context of minority cultural and social pressures. At the same time, I recognize the sensitivity of these stories: they are deeply personal, and discussing them requires careful attention to privacy, consent, and emotional safety for participants. I believe that, despite these challenges, the project can serve as a valuable resource in academic spaces, mental health advocacy, and community-based media initiatives, fostering empathy, dialogue, and awareness around eating disorders and body image issues.