Daruma FILM

 Daruma's production team describe their film as " a movie about family, fathers and daughters, forgiveness and a myriad of other themes and emotions." 

Going on to say "the movie is actually a love note from a father to his daughter: the leads just happen to be disabled." Daruma tells a story of a man who overcomes his own demons in order to do right by his child" Something most people can relate to in one way or another. 

Their journey is not just one of distance,for they form an understanding,gain an unstoppable friendship and discover what they didn't think they needed. 

Whilst accompanying Patrick's new found daughter to her grandparents on America's east coast. 

The creators wish; for people to get behind patrick's journey,be able to laugh, cry, have their hearts broken and triumph in their  success.  One thing they don't want is for their film referred to as " the disabled movie." 

The coronavirus pandemic has hit filmmakers extremely hard,

meaning independent filmmakers like Daruma's have another hurdle to jump over now extra expenses are necessary, 

to ensure the safety of all involved.

 The team have faced many hurdles, fighting to produce a challenging project. 

One of the main being people saying things like  "there is not an audience for projects with disabled actors" this isn't true in the slightest. The Ruderman Family Foundation released a white paper proving that film studios leave over $10 billion on the table every year by casting abled actors for disabled roles.

 I have written many times on the challenges facing disabled people wanting  to pursue a career within the film or T.V industry. An industry known for being one of the toughest to break into. 

 challenges such as lack of opportunities, able bodied actors  gaining disabled roles. Some booking roles,then later fired, because they have a disability. 

It's a similar story for disabled filmmakers with approximately 3% having a disability. 

 To get Daruma to the screen, over $30,000 is  needed in order, for covid19 tests and safety regulations. 

If anyone would like to donate they can make a Tax deductible donation here: 

/https://darumamovie.wedid.it/

 

As they are financially sponsored by from the heart Productions  .  All donations made are tax deductible. Allowing every part of your donation helps pay all involved. 

Raising Dion

 Adapted for television by Carol Barbee, based on the books by Dennis Liu, Raising Dion made its Netflix debut on October 4th 2019. 

Discovering her son Dion has powers, single mother Nicole Warren, Is thrown into a supernatural world. Nicole soon discovers the secrets of the Biona workplace and why her husband was so distant in the time leading up to his death.

Raising Dion tackles a wide range of issues including Racism, bullying,grief, single parenthood, self acceptance and disability inclusion. 

It is super important that when you have a character who has a disability ,that this isn't the main thing you remember, One of Raising Dion's main characters has brittle bones but this isn't the first thing that would come to mind when you think of her. 

Esperanza is an amazingly well written character. Her main traits are loyalty and compassion, She has a sassy side, she knows how to stick up for herself . Esperanza loves science and video games which makes her a perfect friend for Dion. 

 feeling like an outcast herself she notices he is feeling lonely, so makes a great effort to befriend him although he doesn't  appreciate this until a few episodes in. His friends make fun of him, for having a "Reptile Repo" cake Esperanza comforts him. Dion confides in her about his powers, something she has acknowledged. 

Esperanza's actress Sammi Haney was kind enough to answer some questions on Raising Dion and her other projects. 

My first question was "Do you think if more producers and writers were willing to let parents,guardians or even the actor read & review scripts it would allow for T.V and film more inclusive?" 

Over the past year,I've asked many people similar questions, having known Sammi's dad reviewed the Raising Dion scripts before the shoot made me curious to see if Sammi had anything to add that noone else had. 

Like me she believes "they should be willing to make characters with disabilities more authentic by consulting people with disabilities about the script." And should only cast actors with that disability allowing them to review the script, making it even more authentic. She went on to say "My Dad reviewed the Raising Dion scripts with me and wanted to keep me safe and make sure I didn’t do anything that someone with my condition would not normally do (i.e. picking up something heavy or letting strangers put me in a car seat.), It is rare that a part like Esperanza is played by someone with a real disability, there is normally pressure by executives to cast an older girl and make her pretend to be disabled." Sammi hopes she's proved disabled people "deserve those roles." 

Esperanza plays a big part in helping Dion in his fight against the crooked man , using her own experiences as a wheelchair user. 

There's a brilliant scene where Dion attempts using his powers to allow Esperanza to walk. Dion presumes she wants to walk leading into a conversation where he and Charlotte discuss why she's upset. Despite being her best friend they've never had that conversation, to him she's "Just Esperanza" 

I found these scenes very powerful as did Sammi who feels it was a "very important scene" and hopes it allows children to see disabled people as who they are,not just the chair. Sammi loves that Esperanza doesn't lead with her chair but with her personality. Describing her as "a good friend and nice, while being sassy when needed."

Much stigma surrounds disability and happiness. Or that you must want to fix yourself or want a cure. Which isn't the case for many disabled people,some who have made brilliant careers because of their disability. 

Realising his error he apologises by telling Esperanza he's sorry for bailing on their project,being jealous of her and Jonathon, and trying to fix her when she isn't broken. He tells her she's the best friend anyone could ever ask for. 

Sammi hopes that season two will allow her more screen time,a opportunity to bring up her disability, and hopes that her friendship with Dion and 

Jonathan grows stronger, she would like Dion and Esperanza  get to show off the friendship bracelets. Sammi would like to explore Esperanza's family life. 

 Sammi and her dad Matt have set up a positive disability  tshirt campaign, seeing Sammi  jump into acting without fear, Matt decided he needed to do it. 

While Sammi wanted to use what "little star power I had to be a good advocate."

Upcomimg projects for Sammi include Are a “Pilot episode” as the first guest on a  project for PBS with Emma Fayerudkin  as the host this will be released later this year.

Thank you so much to Sammi for answering my questions and to Matt for passing them on.

You can follow Sammi on 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sammi.haney?igshid=88r2mzha59p4

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SammiHaneySassy?s=09

T~shirt campaign: https://www.disabilityshirts.com/pages/about-us

 

Updated diability throughout T.V recommendations

A while ago I compiled a list of Shows showcasing Disabled talent or disability storylines,as I'm currently waiting for people to get back to me about blogs and have no other ideas. I thought I would create a new one. I've included "There she goes" although the actress playing Rosie does not have a learning disability, Although writers have based the show upon their own child. 

All programmes can be found on the BBC, other than Netflix original Crip Camp, I have found many other shows I have not seen. So I'll be watching and possibly  making a new list at some point in the future. please alert me to any you have found so I can edit my list.

Climbing bind~ Jesse Dufton's dream is to become the first blind person to lead a climb up the Old may of Hou in Hackney,Scotland. With his sight degenerating can he make it? And will it make him and even better climber 

Alex Brooker: disability and me ~ Documentary following Alex Brooker (the last leg) as he dives back into the past, gaining new friends, discussing his fears and asking the toughest most important questions. 

Our Lives~ Documentary series showcasing  the ups and downs of people's lives. 

There she goes~ Comedy drama highlighting the struggles of bringing up a child with severe learning difficulties. 

Malory Towers~ Based on the book by Enid Blyton, CBBC's modern retelling of Darell Rivers’s adventures brings a new twist to the much loved tale. 

Endlings~ Children's television show in which four foster children discover Alien's really do exist. 

Crip Camp: Disability documentary based on a true story, crip camp captures the journey to a disability civil rights movement and brings it to the screen.