Since we started the process of creating this documentary we've been all to aware that this subject is sticky one. Before we took the Facebook page live yesterday I had a heart to heart with my wife, just to make sure that she was going to be OK answering questions that our friends and family are going to be asking. In my mind, that is what makes this topic so important. Below is the original treatment that I wrote for the documentary, and should give greater insight into what we will be covering. As is the case (or should be the case) with any documentary, we don't know exactly how things are going to play out. We also don't know when a certain topic is going to sneak up and take precedence from the other topics we were planning to cover at that point. Hopefully it will make for a really rewarding movie, so far it's made for a lot of frustration during shooting.

*************Just Add Steroids**************

Hypothesis
Just Add Steroids Will explore the issues of steroids in American culture. This will be explored in the following ways
1. We will follow Michael as he starts using steroids to compete in a body building competition. We will follow him from his first cycle of steroids on through the competition and the aftermath. We want the audience to understand his emotions and goals, and to get to know his wife, family, and friends. The audiences understanding of the interpersonal dynamic will help to raise awareness of the issues surrounding steroids and their use.
2. We will look at the ways steroids are addressed in the media. Both by looking at the way the news characterize them, and the way they are treated in pop-culture. We will look at television, film, as well as other media.
3. Lastly we will look at the way they are portrayed in relation to alcohol, and other Schedule 3 drugs.

Statement of Purpose
This documentary will take on the issue of Steroids through the lens of a middle age man who is just starting using them. It will attempt to understand why he has decided to use them, and what he wants to gain from them long term. It will also dive into exactly what steroids he is using and at what doses. As the film moves ahead we will continually re-connect with his friends, family, and co-workers to see what differences they notice in him.

Most documentary audiences are fairly liberal, but tend to be very skittish about masculine topics. For this reason we believe that they will view Michael as misguided soul at best, and a criminal at worst. Throughout the film we will hope to change their minds that Michael is just a normal guy who is doing what he thinks he needs to in order to reach his goal. The family and friends outlook will be apparent during the film, and they will not be told that he used steroids until the end. Their reaction should make for an interesting endnote of the film.

We will also attempt to dive into the differences in the ways society views different types of drugs. We will look at the outbreak in Methamphetamines, damages of cocaine/crack, and the current love affair Hollywood has with marijuana.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this, and I welcome constructive feedback.