Disability Representation Matters

These interviews explore why we should care about disability representations in the movies, and how these representations’ storytelling devices both create and reflect everyday experiences of disability.

Lynn Manning, a bald, dark-skinned individual, talking in an interview. Caption reads, “but less than 1% of any television show or even film representation.”

Why do Hollywood Images matter so much?

From our pre-production archives: Riva Lehrer, Lynn Manning, Victoria Ann Lewis, Lawrence Carter-Long, Tekki Lomnicki, inspiration, assumptions of suicidality, Lucky Star, Wizard of Oz, disabled people in industry, lived experience, Push Girls

Candace Colemen smiling. Candace is a dark-skinned individual with long dark hair. Wearing a pink long-sleeved blouse. They sit in front of a green screen.

Microaggressions with Candance Colemen Part 1

Multiple identities, dating, stereotyping

Crom Saunders sitting with one hand resting on their opposite arm. Crom is a bald, light skinned individual wearing glasses and a maroon long-sleeved button up. Sitting in front of a green screen.

Conflict between Deaf and Hearing Worlds with Crom Saunders

Trope of struggle, over-represented conflict

Tommy Heffron, a light-skinned individual with short dark brown hair. Wearing a brown, short-sleeved button-up. Being interviewed in front of a green screen.

How Films Shape Attitudes with Tommy Heffron

Films as lessons, spectatorship

Candace Colemen talking. Candace is a dark-skinned individual with long dark hair. Wearing a pink long-sleeved blouse. They sit in front of a green screen.

Microaggressions with Candance Colemen Part 2

Multiple identities, dating, stereotyping

Lawrence Carter-Long, a light skinned individual being interviewed in a dark auditorium. Caption reads, “in the lived experience of disability that gives you a deeper, broader, more empathic understanding.”

Using Disability as a Narrative Device

From our pre-production archives: Lynn Manning, Victoria Ann Lewis, Lawrence Carter-Long, storytelling craft, evil characters

Victoria Ann Lewis talking. They have medium length hair. Wearing a black and white polka-dot blouse. They are being interviewed in a dim lighted living room.

Disabled Characters as Outsiders with Lawrence Carter-Long and Victoria Ann Lewis

From our pre-production archives: individualizing disability, one-dimensional characterization, cure or kill, disability history and culture