About The Author

Randy A. Gordon was born in East Asia and was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has been writing on an amateur level since primary school, specializing first in prose fiction and later in screenplays. In addition to writing, he has about five years’ experience working as a background performer in the Vancouver film industry to complement several theater, film production and drama courses in university.

He has extensive experience with the disabled community, with fields ranging from education to adaptive sports.

He also has experience outside of Canada (where he holds citizenship), spending time in such locales as Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and the United States.

“Wannabe” marks Gordon’s professional screenwriting debut.

After meeting Peter Martin, Gordon has a chance to not only see the vision of “Wannabe” come to life but also try to accomplish something that had never been done before – be part of the first major depiction of BIID (Body Integrity Identity Disorder). With the upcoming release of studies about the condition, the timeliness of the production has never been better; the potential for the film to receive heightened attention from both casual and academic audiences is growing exponentially with every passing week.

A self-described “multimedia technology junkie,” Gordon holds an English degree from the University of British Columbia and currently lives in suburban Vancouver, British Columbia.

    What is “Wannabe” supposed to accomplish?

“Tracy is supposed to represent a typical person with BIID. In short, it is meant to show what studies have revealed – those with BIID are just like anyone else, with the one exception of having a different body image."

“There are too many media depictions that show those with BIID as deranged and psychotic individuals, which have been proven false by all studies about it. Not only does it stigmatize BIID, but it also stigmatizes mental illness and disorders in general. This attitude helps no one."

“In addition, those with disabilities are often misunderstood and stigmatized. ‘Wannabe’ is also an attempt to normalize such people; we see that not everyone with disabilities is ‘innocent’ like how some movies suggest, but they can also be insensitive and asinine like regular able-bodied people. ‘Wannabe’ tries to show both the good and bad sides of people with disabilities, reflecting real life personalities."

“Besides having BIID, Tracy is like everybody else. She has the same insecurities and anxieties as everyone else her age (which are exacerbated by her situation). Basically, she could be your next-door neighbor or best friend. That’s the kind of vibe I want people to get from her."

“In the end, nobody can truly understand or offer a solution to Tracy’s situation, not even Dr. Katravan or even Tracy herself. But with a little effort, we can all try to come to a humanistic and compassionate compromise.”

    Where did the idea for “Wannabe” come from?

“It was a combination of two things – events happening in my life at the time and the release of another major feature about BIID."

“As ‘Wannabe’ shows, one of the ways to alleviate the mental stresses of BIID is to pose as whatever your body image is demanding (in my case, a paraplegic). One thing that I had always found when using a wheelchair in public is how I was always alone because my family did not know about my situation and only a few friends did."

“On a trip to Vancouver Island, I encountered a girl my age at a shopping mall hanging out with her friends. Her friends were completely at ease with her being in a wheelchair and she had no trouble fitting into the group. I felt a tinge of jealousy but didn’t know why. After a moment, I realized that someone in my situation does not share the luxury of being in that position and I started to wonder how it would be like if someone with BIID was able to hang out with friends who are completely at ease with that person’s use of a wheelchair and reasons for it. That’s why I was jealous – she had the acceptance of people closest to her, a thing that those with BIID often aren’t likely to have."

“Hence, the idea of Tracy’s situation at school was born; it is basically an ultra-idealized version of what people with BIID want to accomplish, and that is to live as and be accepted as a normal person with a disability in society, despite all of the hardships that come along with it. As with any idealized situation, there is always a flaw or a weak spot; Tracy inevitably encounters one, resulting in spectacular consequences."

"Simultaneously, on a personal note, it was a summer between academic years and all my friends were out of town, including one who knew about my condition. On a friendship scale, I was truly alone and it showed the importance of real-life peers for those with BIID. (Janie serves this role and her importance is heightened when her friendship with Tracy runs into turbulence.)"

“Around the same time, an independent film about BIID was released and caused quite a stir among those with BIID because it depicted them in a negative and stigmatizing light. I realized the problem – there was a big difference between how the condition was being perceived and how those with the condition actually behave and think. ‘Wannabe’ is an attempt to resolve this while reaching out to those unfamiliar with the condition."

“It is hoped that ‘Wannabe’ generates some discussion and debate, while unifying people both inside and outside of the BIID and disabled communities. Without discussion and debate, there can be no progress. This film would make a great catalyst for that.”