Binge is an indie pilot that originally debuted to a rabid fan base in 2016. The original show went viral on YouTube and quickly amassed over 1.5 million views, which is particularly impressive for a full-length piece on a platform that loves short-form content. It proved that those who have survived eating disorders—or might be in the throes of the struggle—were desperate for content that accurately depicted their experience, and many found it in Binge. 

Creator and star Angela Gulner, who modeled the show after her personal eating disorder journey, noticed that many in her recovery communities were struggling even more as the quarantine began. The show survived a wild ride of Hollywood “almosts.” Gulner revealed, “We raised over 45K in crowdfunding money and earned a TV development deal with MGM Studios, while we didn't get a bite from a network—yet! We're here! And we've got an audience, what are you waiting for?!?!”   

After coming out on the other side of development deals that almost came to be, Gulner felt she didn’t want to wait any longer to make more Binge episodes, and decided the quiet of lockdown was the perfect time to create. She also stresses how hard this time can be for those struggling with eating disorders.

“Boredom, anxiety, food shortages, food stocking… Not to mention the constant stream of pandemic workouts and wellness mumbo-jumbo. For those with eating disorders, there is no escaping the constant barrage of pain.”

Gulner and her co-creator Yuri Baranovsky, one of the founders of Happy Little Guillotine Studios which produces the show, were not fazed by the idea of making more long-form content in a socially distanced way after bootstrapping the original pilot on a shoestring. The show was edited together from different cast members shooting individually on iPhone, laptops and sometimes on the now ubiquitous Zoom. 

The result is a realistic look not just at a character whose eating disorder is deeply triggered by isolation, but about issues affecting most of humanity in lockdown: How does one interact with a partner or new relationship in close quarters? How does one pay rent with less work? How can one manage the wandering mind? It’s an engrossing watch for anyone who wants to be reminded that many of our problems are shared in this newfound indoor life. 

That said, the show is not for the faint of heart. Gulner acknowledges watching the show could be triggering for some, but she’s also a creator who has taken utmost care in connecting to her audience.

“We've always wanted to place this story firmly in a darkly comedic reality, it's not an after school special. Healing isn't linear and suffering isn't pretty. So, while Angela's journey in the show is often ugly and hard, I do my best to supplement the narrative with real-time support grounded in my own recovery. So, the world of the show is very in-your-face, but all of our other material is very warm, loving and earnest. It's sort of a two-pronged approach!” Gulner also has personal experience leading Eating Disorder support groups, constantly practicing what she preaches.  

Binge fans can currently connect with Gulner in weekly Sunday Support livestreams on YouTube. She’s also running Instagram Live Meal Support sessions every weekday, called Eat Lunch With Us.

How to create content in socially distanced ways will likely be a question many creatives face over the next year, and Gulner and Happy Little Guillotine answered the call bravely as Binge’s quarantine effort is fast-paced, in-your-face, and feels as if little of its original intention has been sacrificed as the team brings its community together while safely apart.