How Lauren Ridloff and Joshua Feldman are making Hollywood more accessible to disabled creatives

Lauren Ridloff and Joshua Feldman are the changes Hollywood awaits. The creative duo spoke to Deadline about the importance of hiring deaf and disabled creatives to tell authentic stories on both sides of the camera and hope the industry does the same.

“The most important thing to remember when telling stories about others, so to speak, is that authenticity should always be the goal. It tells true and real stories that resonate with people with disabilities and people living in a world with disabilities, “Ridloff told Deadline after the Inevitable Foundations ‘Representing Disability on Screen and Off’ panel at SDCC Ridloff and Feldman were presented as speakers.

“I feel like when only the actors stand in front of the camera and that is the only person with a disability. [in a project]that’s when we can enter the danger zone of stereotypes, “he continued.” How do you know what story you are really telling? “Whose truth The story is based on assumptions about what the” other “experience might be. that it’s very important to keep pushing for more representation behind the camera, because that’s when we step out of that dangerous realm of stereotypes and tell authentic stories. “

Ridloff recently played superhero McCurry in the 2021 Marvel movie eternal And on the small screen, the character of Connie Living Dead– They’re both deaf. He is currently executive producer and starring in an untitled Starz project with Ava DuVernay and Joshua Jackson, about two opposites (Ridloff and Jackson) who become involved in a love story that changes their world and everyone’s. around him, upside down.

“I feel that showing the diversity of people in the Marvel Universe is really powerful because the MCU is really creating a modern version of mythology. This is how we perceive Marvel, this is how I personally see it,” he shared. “I think when kids see it on screen, they see people who don’t consider themselves the typical image of a superhero. Seeing different people gives children hope. If this person can be a superhero, it means I can be too. I am important.I am strong and I am strong. “

Ridloff was shy when asked if McCurry fans would see more of the character in the future, saying, “I’d also like to see him more. That’s all I can say. “

Feldman is also working with Team Marvel as the writer of the next series. Echoexcision of Hawk eye Focus on the character of Maya Lopez (Alacqua Cox), a deaf Native American leader of the mafia in overalls who can perfectly imitate the movements of others.

“I’m lucky enough to be one of the writers on a Marvel series. Echo who has a deaf character and also a lot of characters who aren’t deaf, “said Feldman.” So I felt like ahhh, I can relax, because a lot of times when I write it’s for a deaf character, and it’s a huge responsibility, it’s huge, Make sure the character is well written and represents our community. Right. That’s a big responsibility. But it’s also fun, so don’t get me wrong. So when I write, I don’t write often to hear the characters. For example, writing in Echo when I don’t write for a character other than Maya it’s a lot of fun because I can be wild and creative.

Added a Ridloff sighting. The eternal “I was already a huge Marvel fan, but never in my wildest dreams have I seen a deaf Marvel superhero on the big screen. He was incredible. Now working with Marvel as a deaf writer is not only fun for me, it is also a source of inspiration and a lot of inspiration for generations to come. Of course, we can also be superheroes. Sure we can. “

To maintain this momentum, Feldman urges those in positions of power in Hollywood to continue hiring creative people who are deaf and with disabilities.

“Keep hiring us,” he said. “I know that when I am working with a new group of people, it is the first time they have worked with a deaf professional. So I hope that the next time you work with a deaf professional, you will already have this as a basic experience. They know an interpreter will be created. They know that deaf people are visual and we need an open vision at all times to communicate. Yes, keep hiring us because that’s how we learn from experience. It’s not enough to go to a panel, sit down, listen and take notes. This is not enough. You have to do the work; Work with us.”

#Eternal Actress Lauren Ridloff teases if she’ll see McCarthy in Marvel’s “Echo.” pic.twitter.com/OS3VFadxpM

– Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 21, 2022