‘Picture Proof,’ Doc Tells Story of Addiction

DOCUMENTARY FILMS RULE –

May 9, 2023 – “Picture Proof” follows the daily lives of a West Virginia family, Ashley Ellis, her daughter, Piper, and her mother, Debi. Ashley Ellis was the victim of substance use disorder, and the documentary chronicles the family as they try to rebuild. The film is scheduled for a screening at WVSOM’s Student Center at 6 p.m. on May 12. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), opioid use disorder among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 was 1.8% during 2017-2019. During the same timeframe, the national average was 1.0%.

Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows West Virginia had the highest drug overdose death rates nationally in 2018. The report states West Virginia’s rate for that year was 51.5 per 100,000 standard population.

Sadly, Ashley Ellis lost her fight with addiction after filming concluded. Her mother, Debi Ellis, recently spoke about her daughter, the documentary and life with an addict. Debi Ellis met Bumgarner at an art show in Charleston. The two began talking about Bumgarner’s current project, which eventually became“Picture Proof.”

Debi Ellis noted that around 300 hours of footage was filmed during the process, and everything the viewer sees in the film happens in real time. There were no scripts, no coaching, no reshoots, she said.