Scoliosis Advocacy and Empowerment

Unbraced by Cara Scott

UNBRACED, was created out of a mission to empower and encourage a sense of community among those affected by scoliosis.

The StraightForward Scoliosis Foundation collaborated with director, Cara Scott, by reflecting on her personal background as a dancer prior to undergoing a spinal fusion surgery. Given the director’s background and Foundation’s combined goal of promoting scoliosis awareness through art, they gathered a group of dancers ranging from 19-40 years old to share their personal struggle with scoliosis through movement. It was important for them to capture the movement of other dancers who have experienced, lived with, and have continued to move with scoliosis in the expression of their art form. In further developing this project, they received an outpour of individuals sharing similar stories for the first time, including the musical artist of this song, Emeryld.

This film is a token of appreciation for the strength and vulnerability of the women in this film and the greater scoliosis community.

CREDITS

SONG: “These Days” by EMERYLD

DANCERS:
Taryn Kaschock Russell
De’ja Robinson
Ellexis Hatch
Olivia Sparling
Brat

CREDITS:
Director – Cara Scott
Producer – Dustin Grant
Director of Photography – Todd Martin
1st AC – Christian Cruz
2nd AC – Rachel Gwozdz
Swing – Adam Kenner
Costume Design – Kendall Finzer
Hair and Makeup – Chelsea Gehr
HMU Assistant – Shaina Ehrlich
Titles – Sarah Bassett

EXILE
Editor: Lorin Askill
Assistant Editor: Mitch Goldberg
EP: Sasha Hirschfeld
Producer: Charlotte Delon

COMPANY 3
Colorist: Sofie Borup
Producer: Alexandra Lubrano

SONIC UNION
Sound Design & Mix

Structural Abnormality. Unnatural Curvature. Spinal Deformity.

These words have been my truth. They were given to me, as fact, at the age of 11. There was not an option to separate from these words as they form my insides… however although I could not disown these words, I could shift my perspective on how I felt about them. At first I refused to allow them to define me… they were fuel for a fight, odds to defy, statistics to shatter. As I lived longer with them, I struggled with but ultimately found acceptance of these words - I allowed them to guide my pathway forward. They inluenced my career trajectory, my empathy and understanding of our differences and my desire to positively impact others. Now, these words have developed into badges of honor, into torches that I carry to illuminate the pathway forward. In my early adulthood, I used to feel proud when someone told me that they could not tell that I had scoliosis, as if I covered up something successfully, however recently that has changed… I am proud of ALL that these words have provided me with. SCOLIOSIS is my of my identity and I am proud of that fact.