26 replies to this topic

[Slowlegs]

How many people on here get a bit annoyed when they see an able bodied actor playing the role of a disabled person? Over here in New Zealand there was an ad for safer cars and side airbags. On the ad there was a woman in a wheelchair with a speech impediment talking about how if she'd had curtain air bags in her car she wouldn't have been injured. She was faking it. They had subtitles so you could tell what she was saying so the actor didn't even need a great speaking voice. Fair enough if the actor is playing a person who was going to miraculously regain the ability to walk but surely disabled people should be played by disabled people where possible. They banned the black and white minstrels for their negative stereotypes, surely it is time to put a stop to this too. There are enough disabled people out there who would love the chance to get on screen and find it challenging enough already without even being able to be themselves.

[Webwych]

I understand what you're saying. I was a bit annoyed that the 'disabled' dancers at the Olympic closing ceremony were 'faking it' because there are really talented genuine wheelchair dancers who could have represented us in that sequence.

As for actors? I'm not so sure. One the one hand I think it takes away opportunities for good disabled actors to work, but on the other hand what does an actor do? Pretend to be someone else. And I've seen some pretty fine actors like Leonardo Di Caprio and Daniel Day Lewis make a good job of representing a disabled person with integrity and in a low-key way.

I guess I'm open to both sides of the argument.

[Kwag_Myers]

Reminds me of Jim Byrnes (a double-amputee) for some reason. Back in the late '80s one of my favorite TV shows was Wiseguy. Jim Byrnes was one of the main characters.

Also reminds me of when my son tried to use a wheelchair at a nearby amusement park (hoping to avoid standing in line). Fortunately, it didn't work.

[allis53ca]

....um....isn't that why its called "acting" ?

[Kev-O]

allis53ca, on Aug 27 2008, 06:55 PM, said:

....um....isn't that why its called "acting" ?

I think your on to something here lol. Anyone seen the move "The Ex"

[mulepower]

Some actors just don't get it trying to play that role.It does get annoying.

On the other hand,

a good movie, if you don't mind it being in Spanish with English underneath , has Javier Bardem playing a paraplegic realistically Carne trémula or Live Flesh. Has some intimate moments.

Its about a pizza delivery man Victor having an argument with Elena, whom he met a few days ago, but she was high then and doesn't want to hear about him. Reacting to the noise, two cops, young David and older Sancho, arrive at the scene, the gun accidentally goes off.. Four years later David is a wheelchair basketball star, he's married to Elena, Victor is released out of prison and their destinies begin to cross again.

Born on the Fourth of July was a great acting job by TC. LT Dan was funny and dark in Forrest Gump.

[Oldsparkie]

Kev-O, on Aug 28 2008, 05:13 AM, said:

allis53ca, on Aug 27 2008, 06:55 PM, said:

....um....isn't that why its called "acting" ?

I think your on to something here lol. Anyone seen the move "The Ex"

The Ex was a load of rubbish from my point of view anyway. But more importantly has anyone seen a movie called Quid Pro Quo? A friend of mine bought a copy back from the USA, it sort of covers the Wantabee/Pretender weirdos and it left me feeling very angry for some reason.

[Dave Bishopstone]

Anyone who watched Caroline Quentin in 'Footprints in the snow' will recall what a moving performance she gave. It was clear that she had researched the role well before undertaking the part. It was screened in 2005, shortly after our son sustained his SCI, I certainly derived both support and more understanding from having watched it.

I think we have to be realistic, acting is an art and not something you can just 'do'. Turing it on its head, the recent TV film of Albert Pierrepoint (the UK's last executioner) played by Tmothy Spall - are we to say that the role should only have gone to someone who has been an executioner? Rather narrows the field if you take my point!

[nomis]

After watching an actor on NZ tv faking being head injured while pleading for donations for the Head Injury Society I don't feel like forking out money to them - which is unfair on the real head injured people. I, too, resent that kind of marketing. If they want me to be genuine then they have to be genuine.

On the other hand I just about pissed myself laughing tonight watching a South Park rerun where Cartman is faking having tourettes so he can shout the foulest words to people and have everyone saying he's a brave boy.

It depends on context.

[cate]

Dave Bishopstone, on Aug 28 2008, 09:32 AM, said:

Anyone who watched Caroline Quentin in 'Footprints in the snow' will recall what a moving performance she gave. It was clear that she had researched the role well before undertaking the part. It was screened in 2005, shortly after our son sustained his SCI, I certainly derived both support and more understanding from having watched it.

I think we have to be realistic, acting is an art and not something you can just 'do'. Turing it on its head, the recent TV film of Albert Pierrepoint (the UK's last executioner) played by Tmothy Spall - are we to say that the role should only have gone to someone who has been an executioner? Rather narrows the field if you take my point!

They were two great shows, which demanded v. good acting. But I think that is different from adverts. But perhaps if the ad is done well, it will bring in the money etc
Cate.

[kate42]

Webwych, on Aug 27 2008, 08:56 AM, said:

I understand what you're saying. I was a bit annoyed that the 'disabled' dancers at the Olympic closing ceremony were 'faking it' because there are really talented genuine wheelchair dancers who could have represented us in that sequence.

That made me kind of annoyed too. I'm sitting there (well, as I always do, I guess) and I was thinking "Hey, cool, they have wheelchair dancers!" Then I realized they weren't actually disabled and it kind of ticked me off, because how hard would it be, really, to have actual wheelchair dancers. Really.

[Webwych]

kate42, on Aug 28 2008, 08:01 PM, said:

That made me kind of annoyed too. I'm sitting there (well, as I always do, I guess) and I was thinking "Hey, cool, they have wheelchair dancers!" Then I realized they weren't actually disabled and it kind of ticked me off, because how hard would it be, really, to have actual wheelchair dancers. Really.

Exactly, I mean if there were none then maybe I could be forgiving but there are GOOD ones not getting work and they go and use AB dancers. Grr....

[Slowlegs]

allis53ca, on Aug 27 2008, 07:55 PM, said:

....um....isn't that why its called "acting" ?

Um, of course... I just think that if they are filling a "roll on role" then they shouldn't automatically fill it with a "walk on actor" if possible in the first instance... Perhaps there aren't many disabled actors, perhaps film makers don't think disabled actors can handle the rigors of working in the acting industry, that is discrimination in my view.

[mulepower]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519366/

Mitch Longley,a very good actor who happens to be a paraplegic,played in the TV series Las Vegas and Crossing Jordan.

[Tinbasher]

I think using a non disbled actor for the fundraiser was inexcusable. Imagine they used a blacked up white actor to raise funds for Sudan or something!

Where an actor has to play pre and post disability its less clear cut.

What does get me is how few disabled actors we see who are just incedental to the plot. for example a doctor, lawyer or secretary could be disabled and make huge point without it even being mentioned. I am old enough to remember that a doctor or lawyer was always a man.

T

[Lucydog]

Most of the time Im not that bothered either way. I would like to see more disabled people on tv generally though just as a representation of the popultaion.

I was annoyed about the GB bit on the closing ceremony of the Olympics though. At first I thought how great it was to have a couple of wheelchair dancers in the piece, Until at least one of them jumped up and swung on the bus. If it was supposed to represent the Paralympics as well them Im sure they could have used real disabled dancers, after all I do think you still have to be really disabled to take part in the Paralympics and not just pretending!!

[allis53ca]

discrimination you guys ?...and you have been to how many screen tests and auditions, to know ?.....let me guess, you don't vote but still bitch about your current leader

[nomis]

Well, allis53ca, I've absolutely no idea what the people here do or have done but I imagine they are a varied and versatile lot. As for me, I've done tv work and they didn't much like my voice for that medium and I always vote and I'm ok with our current leader so I ain't bitching except when she pinches a disability park. So, where does that leave you...

[edlee]

There's a hell of a lot more to acting than looking the part. You want to act???? join SAG ( screen actors guild) get some head shots, and an agent.

Go to open calls, take whatever roles your agent gets you,,,,including extra work.

Study your craft,,,Take acting classes,,,even if just for the contacts.

THEN,,,,,,,get real lucky!!!!!!

If you are good enough,,,you might get noticed.

It's the same for any actor,,,,disabled or AB,,,,,,LUCK plays the biggest part.

If the casting company doesn't see you,,, how are you gonna get hired???
ed

[Emily C]

Allis53ca,

As a former pro singer who was getting into pro acting from an AB perspective, (back then) I prob. wouldn't have known any better. However, I must admit, if I was reading a script for a para and I wasn't in a chair, it would have made me uncomfortable b.c I wasn't disabled.

Now that I am, I still feel the same way!!! If u need a disabled person 4 the role, then they should get 'first dibs' in my opinion. Acting 'chops' created equal....

Meaning, if they had two auditons and they were both as talented, and the para potrayed what was needed better, why not??? H'she SHOULD get the role!!!

I'm not 'bitchin' either, we are just stating our opinions, as u are. All of them are vivable!

[allis53ca]

i'm bout like you nomis, the parking is all that really gets me a little wound up too...

[Webwych]

allis53ca, on Aug 30 2008, 08:57 PM, said:

i'm bout like you nomis, the parking is all that really gets me a little wound up too...

That's easily rectified by one little note...

'If you're so desperate to use this bay, let me know next time and I'll happily break your legs!'.

[Slowlegs]

allis53ca, on Aug 28 2008, 11:36 PM, said:

discrimination you guys ?...and you have been to how many screen tests and auditions, to know ?.....let me guess, you don't vote but still bitch about your current leader

I have been in a couple of company promotional videos (but not as the "token" disabled guy) and have also voted in every election I have been eligible to vote in. It isn't called bitching, it's called freedom of speech. I have also met enough unemployed actors to know I don't want to be one. The ad mentioned on here and what mainly started this thread was a government advert to encourage people to buy newer and safer cars. Perhaps the company which used the "fear factor" of "buy a safer car and you won't end up like this" has a negative view of being disabled or has a fear of working with disabled people themselves. Perhaps they saw it as if they were to put a disabled actor on TV in an ad saying "buy a safer car and you won't end up like this" it would denigrate the person in the ad. There are many ways of looking at it. Isn't this website all about putting our opinions across about relevant items which may or may not affect us?

[Travelling Blackbird]

I can see good points on both sides of the argument. Ultimately, I think it has to depend on the role: I believe it's more important that the actor be able to play the emotional range of the role than that the actor be a physical match for the character. If there's a wheelchair user who's up for the role and has the acting chops to play the role, then it should go to the wheelchair user. However, if that actor doesn't have the talent for the role, I'd rather see it go to an able-bodied person who can carry it off.

I feel the same way about the "he's not gay, why's he playing a gay character?" debate. Also, when there's an adaptation of a book or comic, I'd rather see the best actor for the role than the best physical match for the author's description.

[Slowlegs]

Travelling Blackbird, on Aug 31 2008, 10:30 PM, said:

I can see good points on both sides of the argument. Ultimately, I think it has to depend on the role: I believe it's more important that the actor be able to play the emotional range of the role than that the actor be a physical match for the character. If there's a wheelchair user who's up for the role and has the acting chops to play the role, then it should go to the wheelchair user. However, if that actor doesn't have the talent for the role, I'd rather see it go to an able-bodied person who can carry it off.

I feel the same way about the "he's not gay, why's he playing a gay character?" debate. Also, when there's an adaptation of a book or comic, I'd rather see the best actor for the role than the best physical match for the author's description.

I agree. I'd rather go and see a movie with a great actor in it who was chosen for the role for their acting abilities so long as people haven't been excluded because of their disabilities.

[Slowlegs]

Webwych, on Aug 30 2008, 11:40 PM, said:

allis53ca, on Aug 30 2008, 08:57 PM, said:

i'm bout like you nomis, the parking is all that really gets me a little wound up too...

That's easily rectified by one little note...

'If you're so desperate to use this bay, let me know next time and I'll happily break your legs!'.

I saw a guy looking at a mobility park a number of years ago which a woman without a permit was hogging. He was in a chair and tooted his horn and asked if she could move. She got out of the car and told him to "F off or she would bash him". Be great to have a big old SUV/bush basher with bullbars and park behind some of these people. A bit off topic I know.

[Travelling Blackbird]

Slowlegs, on Sep 1 2008, 08:13 AM, said:

I agree. I'd rather go and see a movie with a great actor in it who was chosen for the role for their acting abilities so long as people haven't been excluded because of their disabilities.

Exactly. Give the opportunity, but ultimately go with the best actor.

Have any of you ever attended a color-blind or gender-blind play, where the casting is purely based on acting range, not on appearance? That can be great, although it does take some mental gymnastics sometimes.