Disability and media
Need to move beyond tropes, - How do we do this? I have watched some actors I respect because they have an awareness of what needs to happen to shift the media landscape and that it’s a long-term shift because of the way projects are pitched and developed, and I agree with them that it starts in the writers’ rooms, the writers, producers, and showrunners are opening up to more honest storytelling as responses change around storytelling. They are starting to have an awareness of the shifting media landscapes and how we are consuming different media, so not only competing with streaming services that have saved several shows because they aren’t so reliant on media ratings. Also, there is a growing awareness of the shift to smaller formats like Youtube and live streaming so they aren’t competing they are joining them, giving more access to actors and behind-the-scenes access, to how they make the shows. Which shows not only the actors but the crew.
Understanding it is a long-term goal that will take a generational change to achieve - like seeing diverse casting decisions. – moving beyond documentaries yet being able to respond to them – Shut up and take your pills, Dope sick: Dopesick Official Trailer | Hulu - YouTube and moving to tell stories that will reach a wider audience; movies, TV, streaming services, and even as YouTube creators have wider voices being able to understand the different markets for them and the cross over.
The difficulty in moving beyond the tropes in disability is the ongoing way others see people with disabilities, there is more awareness, yet people seem to not know how to create more inclusivity, they want to but don’t know-how. So, this is where moving beyond the tropes of the overcame it, and I am not saying that this isn’t a bad thing, but it can reinforce societal attitude’s that we are to be pitied and that we are a burden on others, this then removes their autotomy in decision making. I am aware of movies that unfortunately I haven’t had access to because of my location that are starting to have the conversations that need to be had.
Movies like a White frog, Penguin bloom, and one that has generated some interesting discussions online The last hunt. These reflect difficult decisions that have to be made about the wider impact of disability on family and friends and don’t focus on the life of the person with a disability but more on the story of the wider impact on family and friends especially when the disability happens later in life, through an accident or illness.
Some people are actively mining for stories and are seeking out what exists to support the production companies and actors that are actively seeking projects that have a focus on diverse storytelling and this does include, things like discussing disability, the complexity of relationships when things get difficult, as well as respecting the skills of people both in front and behind the camera so stunt doubles and special effects workers, actors like Harry Shum jr. Matt Daddario, being people I can think of easily however I am aware of others. Having these people on board is the start of a shift in the media as they understand the media landscape as they have had to navigate the world of social media and balance having a presence and some sort of privacy.
(originally published on annieinwonderland blog on blogger)
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