Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ alumna and filmmaker Jenni Gold, who just signed a deal with Regal Cinemas to release her film \u201cCinemAbility\u201d in theaters later this year, will present a free screening at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ on Friday, March 27.<\/p>\n
The documentary looks at how films and television shows have portrayed disabilities through the years, and how media and popular culture have affected attitudes toward people who are different. It was a story she wanted to tell \u2013 with the help of actors Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Gary Sinise, Jane Seymour and others \u2013 because of her muscular dystrophy.<\/p>\n
The film business is a moving target, said Gold, which may make it a little harder for someone using a wheelchair \u2013 but the 1992 graduate who now lives in Los Angeles has persisted in the industry and is releasing her newest film this year to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The film has been shown at some festivals and specialty screenings, but the Regal deal will offer a wider distribution.<\/p>\n
Gold said her membership in the Directors Guild of America helped give her access to the actors and actresses, many of whom have disabilities or portrayed characters with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s interesting to see celebrities talk as themselves, and we\u2019ve got a lot of big names,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gold said her film looks at the evolution of \u201cdisability\u201d and shows examples from movies and TV programs such as \u201cForrest Gump,\u201d \u201cEdward Scissorhands\u201d and \u201cGame of Thrones.\u201d<\/p>\n
The movie also shows that many stereotypes remain in the industry, but the message is to push forward to reach your dreams, she said, adding that there are new roles and opportunities on both sides of the camera these days.<\/p>\n
Gold said her time at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ was well spent because of the variety of experiences students have to master \u2013 writing, directing, finding locations, and other facets of the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ film school teaches is perseverance, the ability to go and do things on your own,\u201d said Gold, who drove cross-country to attend this week\u2019s showing. \u201cAt Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½, everyone has a chance to do their own film, unlike at USC where they select a film for you to do. At Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ you learn how to produce. It widens your skillset. You need to know every aspect to be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The advice she gives to film students now is to also hone their craft by watching old great movies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t hire an intern if they don\u2019t know their film history,\u201d she said. \u201cYou have to have seen Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart and know how the film business started and where it\u2019s going.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u201cCinemAbility\u201d screening at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ will be 5 p.m. Friday, March 27, in the Visual Arts Building hosted by Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ and the Global Peace Film Festival. There will be a meet and greet with Gold before the closed captioned movie, and a Q&A afterward.<\/p>\n
Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½\u2019s Student Disability Services will provide a sign interpreter for the Q&A, and students from associate professor of film Lisa Mills\u2019 class will tape the Q&A for anyone who may want a copy.<\/p>\n