More Information Regarding MTV True Life Documentary on Adoption

On July 7th I blogged about an upcoming show on MTV, a part of their True Life drama series, I'm Placing my Baby for Adoption!. I was more than a little concerned and I had a ton of questions.

I don't know why, but I'm always surprised when I get an email or a comment that indicates that someone actually reads my blog! Well, I got an email from production assistant, Morgan Robinson. He is helping to cast this MTV documentary. I was very excited for the opportunity to ask my questions and I have to be honest, I feel a bit better about this show. Here is what I learned:

• The Show - MTV True Life is an award winning documentary series on MTV that has been around for a decade. They cover young people dealing with a variety of issues - some frivolous, some deep.

• The Format - The episode dealing with adoption will follow two to four young people and cover their lives and choices. It's the expectant mother's story in her voice, no expert interviews or narrators. The subjects are followed by a very small crew of one to three people and one camera. The goal is for the crew to melt into the woodwork. They shoot for two to three days around key issues, like a doctor's appointment or meeting with an adoption agency.

• The Expectant Mothers - In general, MTV comes up with a topic and then does an outreach to organizations and individuals who may be interested or know who would be interested in telling their story on camera. Planned Parenthood, Birthmom Buds, Adoptions from the Heart, Catholic Charities, The National Council for Adoption were among some the organizations contacted regarding this adoption episode. Interested expectant mothers call in and do an intake, answering key questions. All questionnaires are collected and the producers pick the ones they feel address the main issues of adoption and placing a child for adoption. The producers choose from among those who want to tell their story and will allow their story to be followed on film. Releases are also signed by those who interact with the young, expectant mother so that they too can appear on camera and share their feelings, if they so desire.

• Scope of Story - Robinson shared that MTV does not influence the outcome of the True Life documentary series in any way. He stated to do so would be against the ethics of the show and of journalism. The expectant mother is not compensated for her time in the documentary.

  The expectant mother calls the shots. If she doesn't want the birth filmed, then it's not filmed. MTV wants to see as much of the story as the young woman allows. They hope to show part of the pregnancy, birth, placing or parenting, and follow-up after the decision is made. Robinson shared that they would like to show what Juno left out; what happened after.

• Birth Fathers - If birth fathers are a part of the process and life of the expectant mother, MTV would love to film with them. Again, they are not painting this picture, it's whatever the story happens to be for that expectant mom.

Robinson stated that if previous episodes of MTV True Life are watched it should be clear that MTV tries to be as unbiased as possible. He feels that some viewers may stereotype and those are based on that viewer's life experience, MTV just wants to accurately represent the topic.

The episode is set to air in December or January and will be an hour long program. I'm very interested in seeing how adoption is represented in the final product.

So, does this information change your feelings regarding this episode? Click "comments" below and share.