Creative Community Calls on Hollywood to “Greenlight Disability”

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Creative Community Calls on Hollywood to “Greenlight Disability”

As a passionate advocate for inclusivity and representation in media, I wholeheartedly agree with the points raised by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska of the Inevitable Foundation. The untapped potential of IP from disabled writers and creatives is undeniable, and it’s high time Hollywood took notice.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m lending my voice today to share a call to action from The Inevitable Foundation – an organization that champions mid-career screenwriters with disabilities. Following up on their July study about disability representation in movies and TV shows, they’re urging Hollywood to take notice and make a change. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive gaming and entertainment world for everyone!

The open letter, published on Wednesday, aligns with a billboard initiative in Los Angeles and New York City, which highlights an issue brought up by 66% of survey participants who voiced their displeasure about how disability and mental health are portrayed on screen.

The letter is designed to encourage greater representation of people with disabilities in all areas, aiming to capitalize on the vast 1 billion-strong global audience and, as described by the foundation, the untapped financial opportunities. Notable figures from the industry such as Paul Feig, Marlee Matlin, Ramy Youssef, Rachel Bloom, and Jen Statsky have added their signatures to this call to action.

Hey Hollywood,

A significant number of dedicated and actively involved viewers and consumers across the international entertainment sector have yet to be catered to effectively.

Having lived in both bustling urban centers and remote rural communities, I have come to appreciate the diverse tapestry of perspectives that exists within our society. From liberal coastal cities to conservative heartlands, I have encountered individuals who hold a wide range of political and religious beliefs. This exposure has enriched my own understanding and empathy for others, as I’ve learned to respect and value the unique experiences and viewpoints that make each community special in its own way.

The scale and combined purchasing ability, as well as their impact, make this group a perfect candidate for having endless options in the realm of high-quality entertainment.

But they have simply been ignored.

I’m referring to the vast community of globally connected individuals with disabilities, numbering over a billion strong.

For a global industry that is so hyper-focused on box office and streaming profitability, this is a truly confounding business decision.

Approximately a quarter of Americans live with various types of disabilities such as physical impairments, invisible conditions, developmental disorders, neurodiversity, mental health issues, chronic illnesses, and sensory disabilities like Deafness or vision impairment. In fact, more than 20 million American households include at least one individual with a disability. This often overlooked demographic collectively spends around $21 billion annually on discretionary income. Moreover, this group is expanding as Gen Z is found to be 71% less likely to report good mental health compared to Millennials, and currently, one out of every three young adults aged 18-24 struggle with a mental health issue – a number that has risen from one in four in the year 2000.

However, when this audience ponders their viewing choices – between TV, streaming services, or cinemas – they’re often faced with a disappointingly narrow selection of shows that not only captivate but also resonate with their personal experiences.

66% of viewers, whether they have disabilities or not, express dissatisfaction with the way disability and mental health are portrayed in films and TV shows. Additionally, 20% of adult viewers would sign up for a new streaming platform and attend more theater movies if the content offered genuine representations of people with disabilities and mental health issues.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but wonder why, considering the vastness of this global audience, Hollywood hasn’t invested more in creating content tailored for us. It seems logical that with such a large demographic, there would be a constant stream of films and shows being produced, specifically designed to captivate and entertain us.

But this isn’t even close to being the case. Hollywood, it’s time to Greenlight Disability.

Everyone has a role to play:

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Consider employing creators with disabilities for your projects, tapping into an often overlooked yet substantial market. These individuals can sense when narratives are crafted for them rather than by them, and past efforts have generally fallen short. It’s high time to generate a surge of commercially viable stories spanning all genres and mediums that resonate with this audience.

Consider investing in intellectual properties (IP) originating from creators such as authors, game designers, comic book artists, and journalists who have disabilities. Although it’s commonly thought that the most valuable IP for Hollywood has been exploited, there exists an overlooked yet substantial market: IP from creators with disabilities. It’s high time to invest in this untapped resource to create the next blockbuster franchises on a global scale.

AS A GAMER WITH DISABILITY: It’s high time we, the disabled gaming community, were given a seat at the table. Too often, able-bodied decision-makers are either shelving potential hits or greenlighting projects that miss the mark when it comes to representing our experiences accurately. Let’s invest in the next wave of disability-inclusive creatives and provide them with the resources they need to thrive across game studios, networks, and streaming platforms.

IMPROVING DATA ACCESS FOR DISABLED AUDIENCES: Let’s focus on enhancing data collection and monitoring for viewers with disabilities. Currently, most streaming platforms do not prioritize tracking the viewership habits of individuals with disabilities. Few films are tested by this demographic, and they are often overlooked in box office surveys and systems. It’s high time we invest in the necessary data infrastructure to cater to this audience, as many crucial creative and business decisions rely on such information.

As a passionate advocate for representation, I believe it’s high time we give our projects the powerful promotion they deserve among the incredibly engaged disabled community. They are savvy consumers who can spot insincerity, exploitation, and empty gestures a mile away (just look at Disability TikTok). Let’s connect with them honestly and recognize them for the discerning, loyal customers they are. Most importantly, let’s allocate substantial marketing budgets to these projects so we can share their messages effectively.

REACHING THE GLOBAL DISABILITY AUDIENCE: Prioritize accessibility when planning premieres and screening venues to ensure that individuals with disabilities can attend. Unfortunately, many theaters, film festivals, and online platforms overlook or ignore accessibility, which is a significant reason why this audience is often absent. It’s high time we made our events accessible so they can participate. As the saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.” Engaging the Global Disability Audience doesn’t have to be delegated to your (possibly underfunded) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department. Investing in this audience is not merely about checking a box or demonstrating compassion; it’s a smart business move. This is an enthusiastic and financially capable audience eager for entertainment. At the very least, catering to the global disability audience supports your business goals. So why wait?

Sincerely,
Richie Siegel
Marisa Torelli-Pedevska
Co-Founders, Inevitable Foundation

With the support of:

1. Adam Conover, Aisling Bea, Alexander Woo, Ali Stroker, Alyssa Milano, Ben Watkins, Brandon Sonnier, Carol Barbee, Craig Thomas, Chris Cooper & Marianne Leone, Dara Resnick, David Nutter, Eddy Kitsis, Ginger Gonzaga, Jason Katims, Jack Thorne, Jen Statsky, Jillian Mercado, Jorge Gutierrez, Kiera Allen, Lauren Ridloff, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, Marlee Matlin, Mickey Sumner, Millicent Simmonds, Nyle DiMarco, Paul Feig, Rachel Bloom, Ramy Youssef, Rick Glassman, Rob Delaney, Samara Weaving, Sammi Haney, Sian Heder, Steve Way, Tim Omundson, Troian Bellisario

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2024-08-14 20:25