I now find myself physically disabled. That's cool. At least I'm just a disabled walker, not a disabled writer. I haven't gone all 'wokey'. In that, I am blessed, just as I am blessed to have found Richard Walter years ago. Everybody, get writing!!! Quit playing around on here.
Just listened to the Diversity podcast. Interesting, but like almost all discussions about diversity and lack of privilege, the one group that was left out were those with visible disabilities, like wheelchair users, amputees, authentic blind and deaf people, for instance. Talk about an underrepresented group, or groups. Screenwriting ability has nothing to do with physical disability, but if a disabled writer is fortunate enough to sell a script with a disabled main character, the role will most likely be played by a nondisabled A-list actor. How is that different from the days of blackface, when white actors with ridiculous cartoonish faces played black people. And a good percentage of those A-list actors who are privileged to pretend they are disabled on the screen have had a field day raking in awards for their portrayals of disabled characters. What does that actually mean? It means they are being rewarded for being able to impersonate someone's most obvious identity qualities, something that actors with a disability like the character's would dismiss and get down to serious acting with real life nuances. And only screenwriters who are themselves disabled can write authentic characters with disabilities whose lives are complex and unique with real authority, because they not only know it, they live it. Give them a chance!
I agree with Prof. Walters that education is the best way to improve. But you should not devalue maths and science or lower the standards. Students have to have a drive and want to excel. That can only come from themselves. We are here, learning about writing because we want to excel. It comes from deep within us. Those who want to learn will do extra and find a way to improve themselves. There are many resources available online for free. I think excellence should still be the ultimate measure. In my view, the Oscars are losing their sheen.
In South Africa, an obsession with racial quotas has ruined everything. People get into positions they are not competent to occupy based purely on their skin color. Everybody else suffers for it. It weakens the whole of society and is unfair to people who are more competent and thus more deserving. Ultimately it brings the quality down to the point of collapse. That is just what America and the West's enemies want. And make no mistake, the West and particularly the USA have many enemies. They are jealous. Instead of bringing themselves up to the USA's level, they try to bring the USA down. China wants to overtake the West. That will be a disaster for all freedom-loving folks.
It is a strange paradox for me that artists support policies that limit freedom. They should be liberty's greatest defenders. Perhaps they think all people are like them, but some are driven by greed, hatred, and power. I, for one, am drawn to art for the freedom it gives me to express myself and create. I love film because it gives you the freedom to do anything. Artists should embrace and value freedom more than most, yet they are some of its harshest critics. Long may America be the land of the brave and the free. May freedom reign long.
I'm probably the only one here that feels that way, and I respect your right to disagree with me. Yet, I speak as someone who has seen first-hand how a country can be ruined by bad policies. Please learn from the mistakes of other countries and history. Please don't let it happen where you live. I know because I studied politics and continue to do so. I've said enough. Look me up for a beer if you want to discuss it. Let's go write.
I now find myself physically disabled. That's cool. At least I'm just a disabled walker, not a disabled writer. I haven't gone all 'wokey'. In that, I am blessed, just as I am blessed to have found Richard Walter years ago. Everybody, get writing!!! Quit playing around on here.
Is it conceivable to eschew the agent and hire entertainment attorney instead?
Another great episode. Shared it.😎
Just listened to the Diversity podcast. Interesting, but like almost all discussions about diversity and lack of privilege, the one group that was left out were those with visible disabilities, like wheelchair users, amputees, authentic blind and deaf people, for instance. Talk about an underrepresented group, or groups. Screenwriting ability has nothing to do with physical disability, but if a disabled writer is fortunate enough to sell a script with a disabled main character, the role will most likely be played by a nondisabled A-list actor. How is that different from the days of blackface, when white actors with ridiculous cartoonish faces played black people. And a good percentage of those A-list actors who are privileged to pretend they are disabled on the screen have had a field day raking in awards for their portrayals of disabled characters. What does that actually mean? It means they are being rewarded for being able to impersonate someone's most obvious identity qualities, something that actors with a disability like the character's would dismiss and get down to serious acting with real life nuances. And only screenwriters who are themselves disabled can write authentic characters with disabilities whose lives are complex and unique with real authority, because they not only know it, they live it. Give them a chance!
Brilliant!
I agree with Prof. Walters that education is the best way to improve. But you should not devalue maths and science or lower the standards. Students have to have a drive and want to excel. That can only come from themselves. We are here, learning about writing because we want to excel. It comes from deep within us. Those who want to learn will do extra and find a way to improve themselves. There are many resources available online for free. I think excellence should still be the ultimate measure. In my view, the Oscars are losing their sheen.
In South Africa, an obsession with racial quotas has ruined everything. People get into positions they are not competent to occupy based purely on their skin color. Everybody else suffers for it. It weakens the whole of society and is unfair to people who are more competent and thus more deserving. Ultimately it brings the quality down to the point of collapse. That is just what America and the West's enemies want. And make no mistake, the West and particularly the USA have many enemies. They are jealous. Instead of bringing themselves up to the USA's level, they try to bring the USA down. China wants to overtake the West. That will be a disaster for all freedom-loving folks.
It is a strange paradox for me that artists support policies that limit freedom. They should be liberty's greatest defenders. Perhaps they think all people are like them, but some are driven by greed, hatred, and power. I, for one, am drawn to art for the freedom it gives me to express myself and create. I love film because it gives you the freedom to do anything. Artists should embrace and value freedom more than most, yet they are some of its harshest critics. Long may America be the land of the brave and the free. May freedom reign long.
I'm probably the only one here that feels that way, and I respect your right to disagree with me. Yet, I speak as someone who has seen first-hand how a country can be ruined by bad policies. Please learn from the mistakes of other countries and history. Please don't let it happen where you live. I know because I studied politics and continue to do so. I've said enough. Look me up for a beer if you want to discuss it. Let's go write.