FORMAT: Upon purchase of a ticket you will be sent the link to join a live Zoom meeting on Saturday, May 24th from 10am PT to 11:30am PT. If you cannot attend live then you may catch up via a recording that will be available for 7 days after the workshop ends. If you are able to attend live you will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A with the facilitators.

DURATION: 1 hour and 30 minutes

TICKET PRICING: Tickets are available for $49. BIPOC and/or disabled participants with financial need may request a $29 ticket (please email training@IPAinternational.org to request one of these reduced price tickets). 

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

People with disabilities experience the same romantic and sexual desires as people without disabilities, yet until recently, mainstream media has largely ignored, misrepresented, or made fun of those sexual desires. Since much of the general population is only exposed to disabled people through film and television, how can we, as industry professionals working to create their stories, tell them with nuance, insight, and respect? This course seeks to examine the ways in which film and television perpetuate stereotypes and what we can do as industry professionals to combat those stereotypes. 

During this course we will:

• Trace the history and impact of disability representation in film and media 

• Understand the nuances and intersections within the disability community

• Explore systemic challenges and inequalities

• Establish best practices for working with performers with disabilities on set 

• Learn more about disability justice and the fight for disability rights

People who should take this course include:

• Working or aspiring intimacy professionals

• Working or aspiring screenwriters & playwrights

• Working or aspiring directors

• Working or aspiring producers

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Emily Goodson is deeply committed to reshaping the discourse surrounding intimacy, especially within the context of disability and sexuality. Her journey began at the age of 8 when she suffered a childhood brain injury, resulting in partial paralysis on the left side of her body. After her injury, Emily faced a host of emotional and physical challenges, achieved significant recovery, and emerged empowered to inspire and educate others. 

Emily now divides her time between New York City and Los Angeles, where she is involved in a diverse range of creative, educational, and writing projects. Her written work has garnered recognition, having been featured in the LA Times, as well as showcased in a photo gallery exhibit sponsored by Disability Rights Now and the Bold Beauty Project. In addition to her creative endeavors, Emily provides consulting services to help organizations build inclusive workplaces and address systemic talent challenges. She collaborates with a wide array of entities, including start-ups and major production companies, to foster a deeper understanding of how we develop intimacy and authenticity within ourselves and others.

Also leading the conversation is Sawyer VanVactor-Lee (he/they). Sawyer is an autistic/adhd, transgender, IPA certified intimacy coordinator for both film and live performance, and a diversity and inclusion educator based in the Portland OR. Sawyer identifies as queer and disabled and is always eager to bring his lived experience to projects that center and celebrate those communities. Sawyer has taught intimacy practices on the collegiate level at Columbia College, Winona State University, Iowa University, and Willamette University, as well as The Guthrie Theater. As an IC Sawyer is known for his ability to advocate for not only the needs of the performers, but also the artistic vision of the director, and finding creative solutions to make sure both needs are being met. Sawyer’s intimacy work can be seen on several stages and indie films including Give It To Me, a short film centering queer love and female pleasure. Sawyer brings an intersectional and trauma informed approach to this work. Sawyer is vehemently anti-racist and is always working to further dismantle their internalized white supremacy and ableism in order to best show up for other marginalized communities as well as the ones they are a part of.