Should Only Disabled Actors Be Cast in Disabled Parts?
Performing Arts Studio West provides training and management for developmentally disabled individuals. The September 18th KNBC features PASW and some of the actors who train there (with video, too). It’s noted that founder and director John Paizis would “like to see the industry begin to cast disabled actors in non-disabled parts, and PASW will continue to provide training and — perhaps more importantly — encouragement.” A couple of weeks ago, it was announced that actress Claire Danes is to play Temple Grandin in an HBO biopic: But maybe some other actress (an autistic actress?) ought to take the part?
Tags: actors, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, claire danes, disabilities blog, disability, Family, family blog, hbo, Health, movie, Parenting, pdd-nos, temple grandin
16 opinions for Should Only Disabled Actors Be Cast in Disabled Parts?
Joel Smith
Sep 20, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I posted a bit of a response on my blog - http://thiswayoflife.org/blog . The short of it is, “Yes” we should be played by our own people.
Ms. Clark
Sep 20, 2008 at 5:17 pm
It bothers to see non-autistic people attempting to portray autistic people, because as good as it might get (and a few were pretty respectful in their attempts) they can not fake the neurology that goes with autism spectrum conditions. Their acting will always look ersatz to some degree.
One reason why people **think** there are hardly any autistic adults out there is that they don’t get to see an autistic adult being shown as as autistic adult. I mean you can see Dan Akroyd and Steven Spielberg in public but they don’t really stand up and say, “see this is what you are looking for when you are looking for the hidden horde”. So instead we have these fake models of autistic people parading around saying, in essence, “see, this is what you are looking for when you go looking for the hidden horde.”
It would be like a caucasian person in make-up doing a fake Chinese accent (there were plenty of them in Hollywood in the 1930’s and 40’s maybe even into the 50’s), and then people saying, “see this is what Chinese people look and sound like.” Except that a lot of people would actually know a Chinese American person and know that person was a Chinese American.
I think this “I can play autistic” stuff smacks of what Tropic Thunder was trying to mock with the hero having played “Simple Jack.” Tropic Thunder was trying to make the point that Hollywood degrades real breathing people by making them into caricatures.
One autistic person’s neurology is going to be different from another’s but still it would be more real than an NT person trying to fake hand-flapping or staring or rocking. When I stare it’s not fake, it’s what my neurology is commanding (I don’t have control over it).
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 20, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Regarding non-Asian actors playing Asian roles, the example of Louise Rainer in the The Good Earth irks me in particular.
Speaking Aut
Sep 20, 2008 at 5:45 pm
As a rule — especially for more “pervasive” disabilities and differences such as autism — yes, I think disabled actors should play the roles in question. As Ms. Clark pointed out, it’s much more authentic, and it just works better overall. Trouble is, where exactly are the autistic actors?
However, for entirely physical disabilities, I think that while disabled actors should be given priority for disabled roles, it’s not a grave sin for an able-bodied actor to play, say, a paraplegic person. This goes double for temporary disabilities such as broken bones — I highly doubt any reputable studio would want an actor to actually break his or her leg for the part.
What I really like to see is when studios retool roles to accomodate disabled actors, without making it into a big deal in the movie. Unfortunately, just like in real life, it doesn’t happen nearly enough.
(That said, I also don’t see it as a grave sin if a neurotypical actor plays an autistic person as long as it’s done well. It’s those last six words that are so hard for studios to “get.”)
Regan
Sep 20, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I certainly think that disabled actors should be seriously considered for disabled parts.
What I also think is that media, period, needs to consider whether the programs portrayed have similar demographics included as the demographics in real life. On occasion I wonder where these places are with all the well-dressed, air-brushed caucasians with the perfectly furnished homes.
Synesthesia
Sep 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm
It would be good, but movies about people with developmental disorders frustrate me because… they are, they dont’ seem to be accurate.
First of all, they never seem to mention what the character HAS. What specific “disorder” is it?
The characters usually talk like they have Down Syndrome or something, or some sort of Generic Development Disorder and they have no idea what it is so you just get a caricature.
So it wouldn’t be bad if they were to use actors that really have developmental disorders, or at least talk to folks who have them to play it realistically.
Storkdok
Sep 20, 2008 at 6:54 pm
As embarrassed as I am to admit that I actually watched the new 90210, twice, I have to say it was painful to see a new character act autistic. The hand flapping, not at all like any I’ve seen, and the whole body mannerisms, just not like the many kids or adults I’ve known. It was so…awkward.
I’d love to see the actors have the actual diagnosis they are playing, but I don’t know how realistic it is.
Movies/TV are about production, and could someone with autism handle the pressure, the critiques, the noise, the lighting (my gosh, I’ve been under those lights, they are REALLY bright!), saying the lines and making the right moves at the right time with everyone else, and all the pre and post production work? Since I have a cousin who is a “Producer”, he has filled me on what it takes and has taken me behind the scenes to watch how they are made, I don’t think I could do it. It isn’t that easy.
Joel Smith
Sep 20, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I couldn’t do the acting, but I also couldn’t be a doctor, reference librarian, janitor, athelete, or a lot of other things - yet I expect other autistic people could do them.
Heck, Temple Grandin runs her own company - most NTs that try that fail at it! And it certainly can mean a lot of presure for the owner!
Christina Shaver
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I don’t think it matters who plays the role as long as they are convincing.
Kathy
Sep 28, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I get frustrated when my son, who has autism, doesn’t get the opportunity to even try for many traditional roles, or roles of characters with autism, and not for a lack of trying on his or his agent’s part. I have been told he looks and acts “different” on the few times he has gone for non-disabled parts, but “doesn’t look disabled enough” for parts where the character has autism or an unspecified developmental disability. I think sometimes casting or the decision makers want to see the hand-flapping, rocking, spinning or what have you, which he can do if they ask! I am not saying he is perfect for these parts, but it would be nice to get a shot at some of the ones for his age group and type.
That being said, some sets for tv/film/commercials may be frightening to anyone, due to the noise, lights and fast paced language environment, but with a few adaptations it can be made easier for the actor with autism. I have run across a few times where the director and crew have been absolutely fabulous and seem to really ‘get” some of the needs the actor has to make a shoot more successful and I think they should be cloned for all sets! :)
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 28, 2008 at 8:15 pm
@Kathy, thanks for writing about Robert’s experience here—-would love to know of any current or future projects he is in! Very best—-
Bob Suvak
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:43 am
If acting is done well then it wouldn’t make a difference. However, the director/producers are usually at fault because they want to take “dramatic license” and over accentuate the negative aspects of disabilities.
As for me, I’d probably make be pretty poor acting in an autistic part even though I have AS (Aspergers Syndrome). Unless the audience watched very carefully, they probably wouldn’t see my intrinsic differences from themselves.
But c’est la vie. I did one acting stint in 9th grade and nobody guessed I had a … let me call it “different abilities” instead of a disability.
Regan
Nov 3, 2008 at 6:16 am
I posted this in the Claire Danes plays Temple Grandin thread, but some of the article overlaps here, with specific discussion of non-differenced actors playing roles of those with differences (and vice-versa). Since the discussants are themselves theatrical professionals, I thought it might be of interest.
We Are Not A Metaphor
A Conversation About Representation
American Theatre Magazine
Lisa
Nov 4, 2008 at 1:11 am
My name is Lisa, I’m 19 years old and I have mild-moderate autism (PDD pervasive development disorder was the name of it back then) but mostly mild autism.
I was diagnosed with autism when I was 4 years old; the docters wanted to put me on ritalin but my mother refused. They even said that I would NEVER be able to speak, never be able to attend a regular school, will never be like any other kid, won’t be able to ride a bike, wouldn’t be able to recieve my high school diploma, never be able to live an independent life, never be able to hold a job, and as an adult I would have to be instutionalized.
My mother fought back, look at me now :). I’ve successfully graduated high school recieving my grade 12 diploma despite being in the “special classes” from K to Gr 12 but was still able to attend elementary and high school. And the teachers and principals said I would NEVER be able to recieve one, only a CERTIFICATE when I’m 21 and that I would have to be in the classes with the kids with mentally challenged people. I started talking at the age of four and that was when I said my 1st word but after that I would repeat what others would say or ask the same questions over and over again. And I also had to learn about everyday things and the little things that people take for granted.
Although I still live with autism and struggle with things on a daily basis I want people to look at the little things I’ve accomplished and to be inspired by the big things that make me who I am and how I see the world.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=595530654&ref=profile be sure to check out my facebook and add me as a friend. If you’re going to add me, please let me know you found me on here.
My dreams are pretty big; but here’s what my dreams are:
-To be a motivational speaker to prove that people with autism CAN live a happy life AND to INSPIRE others out there.
-To finish my screenplay that has to deal with an autistic teenage girl with a HAPPY ending and speaking of that I’m writing the ending of it as we speak.
-To be the first autistic actress (or one of the first) to succeed in Hollywood and the film business.
-To be a role model for other people who have autism, and to be a role model for parents who have autistic children out there
But as for the topic discussed if it’s fair that disabled people should play someone who is disabled? Yes, they should because:
-It would give the film more respect
-It would give a movie more of an audience
-It would help inspire others out there with a disability or if they’re disabled that they CAN succeed
-It would be very demanding for a non-disabled actress to act someone who is disabled or who has a disability
-It would also give someone who is disabled or someone who has a disability a chance to shine and to make a difference
-It would also show that Hollywood or the film industry doesn’t discriminate against people with disabilities or who are disabled
And once I finish my screenplay and it hits green light I want the role of the autistic girl and based that role on my life. I want that role because I want to be remembered in the first role I take as an inspiration and someone who can act and to show that someone like me CAN make it far. I will also study on the role as a bonus and I’ve also practiced the role and still practice it over anf over again. Despite having autism, I have a good memory and can memorize things easily but learn visually.
I hope everything I said makes perfectly sense.
Storkdok
Nov 4, 2008 at 7:21 am
Lisa, thank you! What you wrote is awesome! I wish my son could meet you! Good luck to your dreams and congratulations on the BIG accomplishments you already have!
Lisa
Nov 5, 2008 at 3:12 am
You’re welcome Storkdok. And thank you very much as well I really appreciate that. My opinion is coming from someone who has to deal with the disorder on a daily basis but also someone who has come along way, like I have will show Hollywood and Canadian stars that’s it’s never too late and look at what someone with autism can do. For a non-disabled actor to play someone who is disabled or autistic would be emotionally demanding, and believe me I’ve already practiced playing the girl in my screenplay and it ain’t as easy as it sounds but also I’m able to act her body language and speech realistically without even trying. Also, a non-disabled actor would also have to do research and they get to be in a lot of movies. After I took the role of the autistic girl, I’d LOVE to be in more movies and take on difficult and demanding and fun roles as well. I’d also love to meet your son as well :), if you have facebook be sure to add me and check out my INFO box and my ABOUT ME and read everything about my life. I also saw your site, it’s really fantastic and keep up the good work :).
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