Philosofree of the Freegan
Factual Mini-Series Treatment
Bruce Parry, of hit BBC series’ Tribe (2005-2007) and Amazon (2008), meets another fascinating subculture – the bin scavaging, undergrowth foraging, waste nothing, barter and trade Freegans of the UK. Like before Bruce becomes part of the tribe but this time on home soil he plays a key role in creating the first land based ‘Freeconomy’ Community.
The best place to start to understand this band of breakaways and the ‘philosofree’ that they live by is the definition they give of themselves…
Freegan: A person who lives outside of the monetary economy, spending no money, eating discarded food foraged from the land and from the waste of others with the aim of giving something back through sharing and reconnecting with communities and the land they inhabit.
Meet Mark Boyle… the Freegan Father.
Mark has not only lived but thrived for the last year without spending any money and marked the culmination of a fine foraging year by hosting a three course banquet of waste food for 250 people, with the help of the BBC’s ‘Roadkill Chef’ Fergus Drennan. Boyle now has his sights set on building a ‘freeconomy’ village of like minded Freegan’s on a 60-acre site just outside of Bristol.
The former businessman and now notorious ‘Freeconomy’ blogger has just signed a publishing deal to tell his story, with the proceeds of the book going towards setting up the first land-based Freeconomy Community…this is where we and Bruce pick up his remarkable story.
Parry and Boyle will be the joint figurehead’s of a three part mini-series documenting the adventure of setting up a ‘Freeconomy’ village from nothing. Boyle and his vision are obviously the subject and Parry the mediator and way in for the audience but as Bruce has demonstrated in all his work he is more than just a presenter and as the project progresses he will become a key figure in the quest to create a fledgling society like no other.
We pick up the story with Bruce moving into project HQ – the humble caravan that Mark has lived his life in for the past year. From here Bruce will get to know Mark, his friends and his freegan ‘philosofree’ and the two will begin to plot their funding strategy for making Mark’s dream a reality. Bruce will see the project through from the early stages of securing the land up until the point where the village is constructed and their identity as the first ‘freeconomy’ village is born.
Freegan’s are known for their ‘bin-diving’ as a means of surviving but expect a lot more from this community…friendship, fun, education, dancing and most importantly thriving will be the cornerstones of the community and so visually there’ll be a great deal for the viewer and Bruce to take in.
Philosfree of the Freegan…The Briefing
Mini-series comprising of three one hour programmes to be shown mid-week at Nine O’clock on BBC 2.
The series will be very much in line with the current BBC ethos regarding formats and features. This project is very much a ‘great outdoors‘ idea whilst also encapsulating a strong sense of adventure and the popularity of Bruce Parry and the risky/edgy nature of the subject is likely to attract a wide audience in terms of age.
In Mark Boyle we have a maverick individual from outside of the media who lives a fascinating life. His passion is infectious and his partnership with Bruce is sure to be inspiring. Boyle’s Freegan friend and presenter of BBC lifestyle show Wild Man Wild Food will also contribute to the series and give great depth and insight into the Food on offer for a Freegan.
This mini-series also has the empowerment/change factor about it. It’s unlikely that many people will quit there jobs and stop spending but viewers might pick up some some of the core values stressed in the programme and simply cut down on what they waste.
Nice one Rich, would make some interesting viewing! You seen this;