Should someone without a disability play one in film/tv?

[Laasmistan]

I think if an actor is portraying someone with a disability and they don't, in fact, have experience with that disability, they had better be very careful and conscious about not ending up playing it as a caricature or stereotype.

This is why any productions involving disabled characters should have disabled consultants on set. They can be present to ensure the portrayal is, in fact, accurate.

[Katganistan]

Look, I think that representation matters. If there is a character that represents a certain community -- for instance, a character who is deaf -- then I think that actors from that community should have the first opportunity to audition for said role. Certainly there should be hearing-impaired persons involved in making sure the portrayal is as accurate as possible and that the portrayal is not riddled with inaccuracies if a hearing person takes it on.

We've been doing this for ages. We have actors with Down syndrome who are hired to play characters with Down Syndrome, and deaf actors who have played deaf characters.

I think if an actor is portraying someone with a disability and they don't, in fact, have experience with that disability, they had better be very careful and conscious about not ending up playing it as a caricature or stereotype.

That’s why any really good actor will do research before filming starts.

We do have very good actors who put in the time.... we also have... less talented people who probably should pass on those sorts of roles.

[Treadwellia]

Mmmm.

Had a massive post typed up. Noooot worth posting it. Too divisive.

Carry on.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

It would be nice if disabled actors got cast more regularly in roles where disability is not specified for the role.

[Luziyca]

I think if an actor is portraying someone with a disability and they don't, in fact, have experience with that disability, they had better be very careful and conscious about not ending up playing it as a caricature or stereotype.

This is why any productions involving disabled characters should have disabled consultants on set. They can be present to ensure the portrayal is, in fact, accurate.

And not only that, those consultants should be paid what they are worth, not paid very cheaply just so the studio can save a few cents.

[San Lumen]

I think if an actor is portraying someone with a disability and they don't, in fact, have experience with that disability, they had better be very careful and conscious about not ending up playing it as a caricature or stereotype.

This is why any productions involving disabled characters should have disabled consultants on set. They can be present to ensure the portrayal is, in fact, accurate.

This is very reasonable and something I could get behind.

[HISPIDA]

Mmmm.

Had a massive post typed up. Noooot worth posting it. Too divisive.

Carry on.

no, wait. i wanna see it.

[Nunaqujjuk]

Let me explain

[Nunaqujjuk]

I do theatre.
At my theatre school we are doing a show based off robin hood.
We have 2 boys and 2 girls playing Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
So a girl is also able to play a boy, but it is a lot harder to pull off.
This means the same goes with a non disabled person playing a disabled person

[HISPIDA]

I do theatre.
At my theatre school we are doing a show based off robin hood.
We have 2 boys and 2 girls playing Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
So a girl is also able to play a boy, but it is a lot harder to pull off.

i personally think if it's an adaptation without strict basis (for example, being based as a historical documentary) or having heavy basis in the gender of the main character (shows like, i dunno, cowboy bebop spring to mind) i think changing the gender of a character in said adaptation is really cool, honestly. it provides some cool representation while not changing the story nor overtly pandering.

it reminds me of this one short i watched asking if FF8 could still work if squall was genderbent. i think they said something along the lines of "it could work, it'd just be an angsty lesbian pining story instead of an angsty straight pining story", but in another short they asked if FF7 could still work of cloud was genderbent and their conclusion was "no, because FF7 has a basis in challenging traditional masculinity and both the internal and external challenges that come with that." i think that's a cool guideline. think if a story would change if a character is genderbent, and if it is then don't do it. if it isn't, then go ahead and play around with it.

but this isn't the topic of the thread. i'd be happy to see a thread pop up around that, though.

[Rusozak]

Intent is an important factor too. Factual and respectful portrayals are okay. Caricatures aimed at mocking the character's traits are not okay.

[The Blaatschapen]

Isn't the whole point of acting to pretend to be someone you're not?

[Laasmistan]

This is why any productions involving disabled characters should have disabled consultants on set. They can be present to ensure the portrayal is, in fact, accurate.

This is very reasonable and something I could get behind.

It's definitely the best compromise when an actual disabled actor is not available for the role.

[Laasmistan]

This is why any productions involving disabled characters should have disabled consultants on set. They can be present to ensure the portrayal is, in fact, accurate.

And not only that, those consultants should be paid what they are worth, not paid very cheaply just so the studio can save a few cents.

That's getting into the whole issue of labour and worker's rights, which is a whole other can of worms (but yes, I agree with you).

[Australian rePublic]

As a person with disabilities myself and cared for my grandparents with even bigger disabilities than I had, I genuinely don't see an issue with non-disabled actors playing disabled people on TV/film, as long as it's done in good faith and with respect and in genuine good faith (unless you wanna make fun of someone with a disability, which is a whole different can of worms, beyond the scope of this thread)