Qualitative Interviews
We conducted a total of three qualitative interviews. For each interview, we obtained consent for them to be recorded and transcribed with confidentiality maintained. We wanted to get an idea of both the American and French perspective on disability representation. Two of our interviews focused on the American perspective and one focused on the French perspective.
Theme 1: Comfort Level
When one of our researchers, Jessica Huang, interviewed a fellow classmate, it was apparent that there was a sense of discomfort when it came to discussing the topic of disabilities.
The French Perspective:
When Louane, another one of our researchers, interviewed one of her peers from France, there was a higher level of comfort. Louane’s interviewee has experience in the French film industry and discussed how the French film industry tends to be more intentional in their inclusivity. The researchers were able to note that the second interviewee’s experience
“J: What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘disability’ ?
Interviewee 1: Disability?
J: Yes what comes to mind?
Interviewee 1: I guess needing extra care, and extra love...”
Theme 2: Representation
All three interviewees point out that they have seen negative stereotypes used to represent people with disabilities in film. Both interviews on the American perspective point out that people with disabilities are portrayed as incapable and weak. Notably, in the French interview, there was a comparison made between the representation of disabled people and films, and the representation of LGBTQ+ people in films. The representation is described as “cliché”.
Theme 3: Movie Making Strategies
The French Perspective:
The French interviewee noted that in Hollywood there is a big focus on producing big budget, blockbuster films. In terms of the French film industry, she noted smaller budget and an emphasis on creating unique storylines. The Hollywood and French film industries do not like each other’s movies and the interviewee also noted that it “goes both ways”.
Theme 4: Future Changes
The American Perspective
“Well, for starters, if you’re going to have a TV show based on disabilities and stuff, you should actually cast people that fit that criteria...You can’t go and cast someone that is not disabled and that does not know the experience ”
The quote to the left is the American interviewee #1’s response to a question asked by our researcher, Jessica, regarding how to improve disability representation in movies.
The French Perspective:
When our researcher, Louane, asked a similar question to the French interviewee, they responded that oftentimes, disabled actors are only employed so that the agency may receive benefits associated with employing them. In other words, there is little effort to develop a relationship with disabled actors, and learn from them. Just having an actor there is not going to improve representation. It is important to foster an inclusive environment and create change at large in the film industry