“Please hire someone else.”
That was the challenge Judy Uttal, president of the Orange County Asperger's Support Group, posed to the entertainment industry Friday morning at the inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference. As Chair, she welcomed a diverse audience of over 100 accomplished and neurodivergent filmmakers ready and willing to take on the challenge of show business.
“You are the best,” Utaru said in his opening remarks. “You guys should be employed.”
With more than 120 employers attending Los Angeles' Skirball Cultural Center, the Autism in Entertainment Conference was one of the industry's largest networking events for neurodivergent creators. Utal hopes to bring careers to a whole wave of autistic creators by providing much-needed resources and support.
“Our mission is to increase the employment of ready-to-work autistic talent in the entertainment field,” Uttar told the crowd. “And you're all ready to work.”
Here are five takeaways from the Autism in Entertainment conference.
Workplace diversity means neurodiversity.
The topic of diversity has become a major discussion point for industry players looking to introduce new perspectives into production. But neurodivergent talent is often left out of that conversation.
“When you're casting or hiring writers, you always want diversity,” said Emmy Award-winning television and film producer Scott Steindorff. “But neurodiversity needs to be part of it, not just part of it.”
Steindorf, who has ADHD and autism, has worked with some of entertainment's most prolific talents, including Paul Newman, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey and Robert Downey Jr. In his latest documentary, “Understanding Autism,” Steindorf travels around the country interviewing doctors and teachers. , autistic people and their families hope to change the stigma surrounding autism into acceptance.
“It's very important [people] Understanding autism and spectrum issues because they are a huge component of humanity. This is a high percentage as one in six children has autism, ADHD or dyslexia. So shouldn't that be represented in movies and television? ” Stendorf asked.
Elaine Hall, acting coach and founder of the neurodivergent acting school Miracle Project, collaborated on Understanding Autism. She has worked with many autistic actors and is autistic herself, so she understands first-hand the benefits of her neurodiverse work.
“The industry needs to know it's missing an opportunity. And the conventional wisdom about what people on this spectrum can do and achieve is being turned on its head,” Hall said. “Focus, concentration, and the ability to bring fresh and new ideas will enhance any work.”
Autistic voices are needed in entertainment.
Not only is the neurodivergent community considering joining the industry, but many people already in show business are eager to include autistic creators in their ranks. Entertainment giants like Nickelodeon, Disney, and Cartoon Network have already hired dozens of autistic employees. Liz Kelly, who oversees the staffing of TV writers and directors at Disney, is always looking for “passionate and inclusive voices,” including members of the autism community.
“What we're doing is developing those voices. We're giving executives and shows and producers access and exposure to those voices,” Kelly explained. “And our goal is to get people into seats, get them jobs, and get them started.”
Kelly directed the ABC drama “The Good Doctor,” in which the main character, Dr. Sean Murphy (Freddie Highmore), is autistic. In 2020, the number of viewers for new episodes of the series exceeded his 7 million.
“The reason the show was so successful was because the character of Dr. Sean Murphy [autism spectrum disorder], who I think a lot of viewers can really relate to,” Kelly said. “Whether you yourself are autistic, on the autism spectrum, or just different in some way.”
Autistic filmmakers are working on your favorite shows.
Thanks to the efforts of Exceptional Minds Executive Director David Siegel, the neurodivergent filmmaker's work can already be seen in some of the most popular movies and TV shows. Since 2011, this nonprofit education program has taught people with autism skills such as visual effects, animation, and 3D video game he design. Through Exceptional Minds' in-house design studio, graduates of the program have had the opportunity to work with some of Hollywood's biggest names.
“Marvel's Visual Effects Studio has consistently provided excellent post-production services. We have worked on over 50 films and television series for them,” Siegel explained. “So the story is incredible… They want to access our talent, not just because it feels good, but because it’s really good for business.”
One of the many success stories that came out of Exceptional Minds is Kate Jorgensen, who went on to become a production coordinator at Nickelodeon after graduating. After her four years at the network, she returned to her Exceptional Minds and now oversees its effects production at her studio.
“Hollywood has a history of not being very kind, but real change is happening…openness and inclusivity. [is becoming] It’s important,” Jorgensen said. “And with the next generation of shareholders coming in, we really see that… [they were] I was like, “I'm going to give you this opportunity.''
The industry could do more to help.
If those in the entertainment industry want to welcome autistic voices into the industry, things need to change. Sian O'Clery, director of Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, has been at the forefront of elevating neurodivergent voices since his reality series first premiered in Australia in 2019. I am. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach,” he said. Companies must be “open to interviewing individuals at all levels and considering what their needs are.”
“What we want from people with typical development” [knew] “The biggest thing about neurodiverse people is that we all think differently,” added Dani Bowman, one of the stars of “Love on the Spectrum.” “Just because we are eccentric doesn’t mean we are a disadvantage to society. We just have the ability. These are the people who make it what it is.”
Bowman founded the animation company Dunimation at the age of 14 and has since traveled the country speaking and teaching other autistic people how to start a career as an animator.
Steve Spitz, another cast member on Love on the Spectrum, says that just being able to attend events such as the Autism Entertainment Conference makes a huge difference, and that having peer support can help you “do what you don't have.” I feel a special sense of comfort.” Always feel elsewhere too. ”
“I often worry that I’m not keeping up with others in many ways, and technology is one example. If you have an opportunity to express yourself and connect with people, [it] is special,” Spitz said.
Autistic creatives are making an impact.
Director, screenwriter, and animator Jorge Gutierrez saw his first movie in a movie theater in the 1940 Disney film Pinocchio, and although he wasn't diagnosed with autism until he was 40, he always felt different. .
“For a long time, I was obsessed with being a 'real boy,'” Gutierrez recalls. “I think even back then, I wanted to be like everyone else, to be normal. My family is very loving, and I said, 'He's a little weird, but he really likes to draw.' It said. And then he realized that he was different from other children. ”
But it was something different that shaped Gutierrez as a storyteller. Gutierrez went on to produce award-winning animated films and television series such as “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera'' and “The Book of Life.'' He has also worked with major technology and entertainment companies, including Netflix, Disney, Google, and Microsoft.
Gutierrez understands that his autism contributed to his success in making the film, although he admits there were many challenges along the way.
“I know people define being on the spectrum in very different ways, but for me, I really believe that we think differently,” Gutierrez said. “And I think thinking differently is a strength. Every great leap forward in history happened because someone thought differently.”
(Photo: Scott Steindorff, Elaine Hall, Jorge Gutierrez, Zara Astra, Judy Utal)