ACCESS COORDINATOR
Representation matters
Disability is becoming a cultural conversation, and skilled Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent (DDN) artists and filmmakers are ready to contribute, collaborate and create their own work. It is essential that disabled representation becomes a priority, both on screen and behind the camera.
In February 2023 I undertook training with Bridge 06 to bring the role of Access Coordinator to the Australian film & TV industry, not long before the Screen Australia’s Seeing Ourselves Onscreen Report V.2 was released. While the stats were deeply disappointing (but not unexpected) showing Disability representation still abysmally low across all roles, I still feel positive that we can change this rapidly.
The logical next step to increase DDN representation was to introduce the role of Access Coordinator to the Australian industry as a BTL role because, despite the increasing enthusiasm for inclusion of DDN talent, without appropriate adjustments barriers can persist and prevent DDN talent from creating sustainable careers.
REPRESENTATION
MATTERS
Disability is becoming a cultural conversation, and skilled Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent (DDN) artists and filmmakers are ready to contribute, collaborate and create their own work. It is essential that disabled representation becomes a priority, both on screen and behind the camera.
In February 2023 I undertook training with Bridge 06 to bring the role of Access Coordinator to the Australian film & TV industry, not long before the Screen Australia’s Seeing Ourselves Onscreen Report V.2 was released. While the stats were deeply disappointing (but not unexpected) showing Disability representation still abysmally low across all roles, I still feel positive that we can change this rapidly.
The logical next step to increase DDN representation was to introduce the role of Access Coordinator to the Australian industry as a BTL role because, despite the increasing enthusiasm for inclusion of DDN talent, without appropriate adjustments barriers can persist and prevent DDN talent from creating sustainable careers.
What is
an Access Coordinator ?
Access Coordinators work with an access-first approach, identifying and problem solving with individuals and Heads of Departments to find solutions to removing barriers that prevent DDN creatives delivering their best work.
It is a specialised role bringing expert knowledge of film and TV production, plus experience in advocating for access required for DDN talent in all roles on set or production. The Access Coordinator works with multiple people, the producer, heads of department, crew members and cast and DDN talent.
The role is bespoke to production needs, and ideally begins work in pre-production, working across all stages from development, casting, filming, post to broadcast/release and final media events. They can work remotely, or on the production set, office, studio, location or edit. It can be a part-time or full-time position dependent on the needs of production and the number of DDN talent or crew employed.
Sofya –
Access Coordinator
In collaboration with UK-based Bridge06 I delivered Australia’s first training program for Screen Australia and NZFC to create Australia and NZ’s first cohort of Access coordinators. Sofya Gollan is a trained Access Coordinator based in NSW and is available to work across all genres at any budget level.
Bringing this role to Australia flowed on from my previous work as a Development and Production Executive overseeing the Screen NSW Screenability Film Fund for 7 years, seeing firsthand how this dedicated program elevated and supported many DDN filmmakers to build sustainable careers.
