MacTaggart alternative teacher Rose Ayling-Ellis reveals overwhelming pressure since becoming “The Poster Girl for the Deaf Community” – Edinburgh Television Festival

MacTaggart alternative teacher Rose Ayling-Ellis revealed the overwhelming pressure of feeling like “the poster girl for the deaf community” and called on the television world to “be braver and have the courage to make a difference.”

Deaf Come strictly to dance the winner is East Enders The actor provided a number of examples of how the representation and access of disabled talent can be improved in the British television industry, as he became the first disabled person to provide an alternative address previously held by Russell Brand and Jerry Springer.

It won the BBC’s biggest entertainment show last Christmas and won the heart of the nation. She had a whirlwind year, but was asked “how many deaf characters have we seen on TV since then?”

“However [Strictly] It was a good experience, the result wasn’t always there, ”he said.

“I was shocked that suddenly I found myself a pioneer of the deaf, a poster for the deaf community. He brought with him a new pressure that I had never experienced before ”.

Alice, what is it EastEnders’ The first and only regular deaf character revealed that development shows were canceled last year because he “decided not to be a part of it.”

“Saying no meant that other deaf people have lost opportunities too, and that makes me feel guilty and conflicted,” he said in a heartfelt speech.

Ellis, who chose to speak at the conference rather than use BSL, pointed out that there are 11 million deaf or hard of hearing people in the UK, but only 201 actors in the Spotlight database, 56 of whom use BSL. .

She said she had been turned down by Spotlight over the years because “she didn’t go to an acting school or an agent, but I couldn’t get into an acting school because she wasn’t available.”

“How can a deaf young actor break in when the door is tightly closed from the start? Ellis said.

Ellis pointed out the difference between impersonation and access and urged guardians to consider both.

It recalls his early days in theatrical production, when the director “realized that creating an authentic and layered character took time, so instead of putting in the effort, he decided to change my character in order to listen to me. . Make it easy for him. “

“This is not something unique, I have often heard of deaf actors who have similar experiences in other theatrical and television productions, their identity is seen as a burden that must be compromised,” Ellis said.

“I fight for my identity to be represented”

the credit East Enders “Giving me many possibilities and opportunities to grow and develop my acting skills,” but he said that working on scripts written by hearing people can be “frustrating”, so “I constantly struggle to have my deaf identity portrayed, but he ends up, I feel like my voice is not being heard.

“It is not meant to be a criticism of the program in question, it is something that happens all over the world and should be accepted as a problem by the whole industry.”

The writers will write deaf characters “who are in a room with a large group of people fighting with each other, following whatever is said and repeating it,” Ellis said, “or they will write my character as someone who may not speak. ” From an incredible distance, as if he had superpowers.

He encouraged the hiring of deaf consultants on writing teams, a move often forgotten due to the fast pace of television production.

the Come strictly to dance The production team “let me share my story and see what he did,” he said, referring to his BAFTA award as a must of the year after a silent dance with his partner Giovanni Perni and the resulting spike in online searches. BSL courses at a staggering 4000%.

Ellis concluded by urging producers to “take a look at your production and ask yourself: where are the deaf and disabled, and if you work with the deaf and disabled, ask them if they are accommodated. supported? “

“I hope you get away from this and take action; I hope you try to be more courageous and have the courage to make changes; And I hope he gets in touch with us and me because I’m ready for him to see what I can do and I won’t stop until he hears from me. “