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What is the Problem?
Some think that if the issues I bring up about the authentic
voices and equal opportunity to represent ourselves as people with a disAbility
is such a problem and has as much of a deep impact as I proclaim then why
hasn’t it been addressed before?
That is a good question and I am sure it has been addressed but was obviously squashed before it got any momentum. First is the stereotypes and the way that most of Hollywood believes that only the stories and characters that fit into the stereotype can be made into a movie. I know this first hand as I have told you before that I have had my screenplays reviewed by some who requested that I make changes to make them more stereotypical. But I refused and besides how many stereotypical movies can you do? How many movies that focus and center on the disAbility, or are surrounded by a political agenda or how many after-school specials can you do?
But it is not all on the industry. You have to look at the very nature of the disabled community. Most of us do not want to bring any attention to ourselves and especially if it deals with our disAbility. Why? Because the very image and opinions of general public – the American society are that we are needy, dependent, unable to contribute to society and more of a drain on our welfare and medical system then most. This is the image and opinions we fight against and therefore do not want to bring any more attention to it. If we protest and scream about the fairness and equal representation in movies and television – or any cause for that matter – it will only contribute and perpetuate the very image and opinions we are protesting! Serious catch-22!
And of course as I preach about the influence that movies and television have on our culture and our society’s images and opinions – the very stereotypes and even the essence of the problem is connected so much that it is the main reason why the endless cycle continues. BUT this is where it must start – in movies and television programs. We have to break through – I have to break through to a producers, financiers, distributors so I can get my vision, my authentic voice and representation in front of the ultimate group to break through to – the audiences!
This is where it is a win-win. I want to get in front of as many audiences as possible. And so along with the specific 3 elements that I have included in all of my film projects, I also include the elements that all successful movies and moviemakers are looking for – a well crafted script (which has its own elements that make it more likely to become successful and considered “well crafted”), and the very next thing – Hollywood star power – name recognizable talent which I know I can and will attract to my co-leading roles next to my character and actor with a disAbility. I plan to first attract thisHollywood star power by pleading the
cause and how great it would be for them to help me in breaking the stereotypes
and helping end the discrimination against other actors! Then when they agree
to look closer at the project I can get them to read the script where I know I
will capture their desire to portray the co-leading characters in my movies.
The main elements of a professional independent production budget and distribution deal that includes a respectable P&A budget that other successful movies have is where I am fighting and have been fighting for the past couple of years!
But just like my fellow individuals with a disAbility working or trying to work in this business – I not only face all the same challenges that all of my able bodied counterparts have in getting funding and distribution support – but on top of that I am fighting the stereotypes and the discrimination the industry has on those with a disAbility – the very stereotypes and discrimination that my film projects address and will break! Another catch-22!
I cannot wait until we finally get the first step – the first roll in the right direction of this change that I have planned for and prepared to become a permanent solution to ending the seemingly endless cycle. It will be like the snowball effect and depending on the success of the first film (or size of the hill the snowball is rolling down) the faster it will become. And just maybe one that I think is a very good possibility if given the proper production and distribution support, will become a literal gold mine – the mother lode of independent films and one that I have prepared and planned already for so I can mine it for a very long time! This is the win-win situation in where I get to have the social issues addressed and provide the authentic voice and representation AND the financiers and distributors all make a healthy return on investment. This affords me the opportunity to continue and provide the long term answers to the current problems and finally break this catch-22 forever!
And because I am a person who cannot be squashed and will not go away – I will make my film projects with the proper production and distribution support this cause deserves and will not back down until I get it – all of the social issues that I have been preaching AND the commercial success that is possible will come together in the same projects. How do I know about this? I have worked it from every angle for the past 12 – 13 years and I know and I can make it happen. It’s just a matter of who will I be able to influence to assist in this process? Are you that person? Do you know that person or someone who might be that person? Whether big or small contributions – big or small abilities that you have that can be added – United to this cause will be significant and never be forgotten.
Will you join with me?
That is a good question and I am sure it has been addressed but was obviously squashed before it got any momentum. First is the stereotypes and the way that most of Hollywood believes that only the stories and characters that fit into the stereotype can be made into a movie. I know this first hand as I have told you before that I have had my screenplays reviewed by some who requested that I make changes to make them more stereotypical. But I refused and besides how many stereotypical movies can you do? How many movies that focus and center on the disAbility, or are surrounded by a political agenda or how many after-school specials can you do?
But it is not all on the industry. You have to look at the very nature of the disabled community. Most of us do not want to bring any attention to ourselves and especially if it deals with our disAbility. Why? Because the very image and opinions of general public – the American society are that we are needy, dependent, unable to contribute to society and more of a drain on our welfare and medical system then most. This is the image and opinions we fight against and therefore do not want to bring any more attention to it. If we protest and scream about the fairness and equal representation in movies and television – or any cause for that matter – it will only contribute and perpetuate the very image and opinions we are protesting! Serious catch-22!
And of course as I preach about the influence that movies and television have on our culture and our society’s images and opinions – the very stereotypes and even the essence of the problem is connected so much that it is the main reason why the endless cycle continues. BUT this is where it must start – in movies and television programs. We have to break through – I have to break through to a producers, financiers, distributors so I can get my vision, my authentic voice and representation in front of the ultimate group to break through to – the audiences!
This is where it is a win-win. I want to get in front of as many audiences as possible. And so along with the specific 3 elements that I have included in all of my film projects, I also include the elements that all successful movies and moviemakers are looking for – a well crafted script (which has its own elements that make it more likely to become successful and considered “well crafted”), and the very next thing – Hollywood star power – name recognizable talent which I know I can and will attract to my co-leading roles next to my character and actor with a disAbility. I plan to first attract this
The main elements of a professional independent production budget and distribution deal that includes a respectable P&A budget that other successful movies have is where I am fighting and have been fighting for the past couple of years!
But just like my fellow individuals with a disAbility working or trying to work in this business – I not only face all the same challenges that all of my able bodied counterparts have in getting funding and distribution support – but on top of that I am fighting the stereotypes and the discrimination the industry has on those with a disAbility – the very stereotypes and discrimination that my film projects address and will break! Another catch-22!
I cannot wait until we finally get the first step – the first roll in the right direction of this change that I have planned for and prepared to become a permanent solution to ending the seemingly endless cycle. It will be like the snowball effect and depending on the success of the first film (or size of the hill the snowball is rolling down) the faster it will become. And just maybe one that I think is a very good possibility if given the proper production and distribution support, will become a literal gold mine – the mother lode of independent films and one that I have prepared and planned already for so I can mine it for a very long time! This is the win-win situation in where I get to have the social issues addressed and provide the authentic voice and representation AND the financiers and distributors all make a healthy return on investment. This affords me the opportunity to continue and provide the long term answers to the current problems and finally break this catch-22 forever!
And because I am a person who cannot be squashed and will not go away – I will make my film projects with the proper production and distribution support this cause deserves and will not back down until I get it – all of the social issues that I have been preaching AND the commercial success that is possible will come together in the same projects. How do I know about this? I have worked it from every angle for the past 12 – 13 years and I know and I can make it happen. It’s just a matter of who will I be able to influence to assist in this process? Are you that person? Do you know that person or someone who might be that person? Whether big or small contributions – big or small abilities that you have that can be added – United to this cause will be significant and never be forgotten.
Will you join with me?
Hi Larry,
Reporting for DUTY.
I can't donate money...
But, what I can donate is PRICELESS!
SpinergyDude On YouTube
AbiliTV - Larry, I ask this of you.
When we pass on as people, what do we want remembered most?
Our ABILITIES... Isn't it?
Now where WILL I BE NEEDED?
I DONATE MY SERVICES TO YOU!
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Dear Larry,
Hello, I read your article in SCI LIfe and must say I was really touched by your dedication, positive thinking, persistence, etc...
I do not need a wheelchair, not yet anyways, but I was diagnosed with syringomyelia a couple years ago. A laminectomy at T11, T12 & L1 with a shunt insertion. we monitor the mass yearly and it has changed my life in every way possible. Keep me updated on all the good work you are doing. I reside in studio city and perhaps once I get my pain under control and am more stabilized I could help as I feel education is of utmost importance. All the BEST! Amy
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