About this episode
In this episode of Documentary First, return guest filmmaker Elise Jaffe, first-time director of documentary project: UnScarred, and special guest, Stacie Rae Weir, a tattoo artist and breast-cancer previvor featured in the film join us!UnScarred explores how survivors of trauma and illness—those living with scars from breast cancer, self-harm, and other life-altering experiences—reclaim their bodies and identities through the art of tattooing. Elise and Stacie share powerful personal stories of healing and transformation, and share what it takes to fund and finish an independent documentary in today’s filmmaking landscape.Together, they unpack the real-world lessons behind UnScarred’s ongoing Kickstarter campaign. Stacie Rae also shares her journey from mastectomy to artistry—and how she’s now offering a personal tattoo session perk as part of one of the Kickstarter rewards to help bring this story to life.This episode is not only an inspiring look at art, trauma, and recovery—it’s a practical, candid conversation every documentary filmmaker should hear.Links:Kickstarter:UNSCARRED - Documentary FilmD-Word: The D-Word: the worldwide community of documentary professionalsBri Castellini : Bri CastelliniStacie-Rae: Home | Stacie-Rae | Calgary, ABNo DocuView Déjà Vu Timecodes:00:00 — Welcome & Introduction to UnScarred05:15 — The Origins of the Film: Inspiration During the Pandemic10:27 — The Power of Tattoos in Healing and Identity17:42 — Introducing Stacie Rae Weir: Artist, Survivor, and Healer24:52 — From Mastectomy to Masterpiece: Stacie Rae’s Journey29:51 — Tattoos as Therapy: The Collaboration Between Artist and Survivor33:10 — The Art of Crowdfunding: Lessons for Independent Filmmakers
