In the United States, over 25% of adults live with some form of disability. Actor Danny Kurtzman, who stars in the indie film Good Bad Things, believes that Hollywood is still struggling to accurately represent this community.
Kurtzman, who has muscular dystrophy, says the film industry is unsure how to properly include disabled individuals. “Hollywood and the studios still don’t know what to do with us right now,” Kurtzman told Yahoo Entertainment.
Good Bad Things is a deeply personal project for Kurtzman, inspired by his own experiences. The film explores the life of Danny, an entrepreneur who tries online dating and meets Madi (Jessica Parker Kennedy), a photographer who challenges him to overcome self-imposed limits and embrace self-acceptance.
Directed by Shane D. Stanger, a close friend of Kurtzman, the film also reflects their shared vision. The screenplay, co-written by Kurtzman and Stanger, initially faced criticism.
“Shane told me, ‘Good news: the script is done. Bad news: I hate it,’” Kurtzman recounted. Stanger felt the first draft was “ableist and off-tone.”
The final version of the script involved significant input from Kurtzman, ensuring the film authentically represents the disabled community. Stanger and Kurtzman created a fully accessible set during production, a first for Kurtzman.
A 2023 UCLA report highlighted the severe underrepresentation of people with disabilities in television during the 2021-22 season. Kurtzman is disappointed but hopeful. “It’s a huge miss in Hollywood,” he said. “It’s OK not to know where to start, but it’s time to begin.”
Kurtzman encourages the entertainment industry to ask questions and be open to including disabled individuals at all levels of production. “When they do, they’ll see the power of our community,” he said. “Give us roles that reflect our true selves.”
Good Bad Things is the first film to earn the GAMUT Seal of Approval, which verifies that it meets rigorous standards for disability inclusion.
Kurtzman, who transitioned from a 15-year career as an entrepreneur to filmmaking, finds that the industry is still learning how to handle and market such an authentic and inclusive film. “There’s so much talent in the disabled community,” he said.
As the film approaches its theatrical release, Kurtzman hopes it will open more doors for disabled talent in Hollywood. “The time is now,” he said.
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