Developing an inclusive Set

Access on Set

To create an inclusive film, you must assemble a diverse team by fostering opportunities for people with disabilities– but it doesn’t end there. We must also provide accessible, welcoming, working environments for all on set, otherwise our attempts to be inclusive are futile.As well as creating opportunities for people with disabilities, great consideration should be given to the environments we provide, allowing every cast and crew member’s needs to be met, safely and efficiently, especially since not all disabilities can be seen!Here are just a few basic areas to consider prior to production…

Gaining Awareness

As with any mission to become more inclusive, the best place to start is by gaining awareness. By making the crew aware of the particular needs of people with disabilities, you will immediately create an open and understanding atmosphere on set, allowing everyone to appreciate any challenges their co-workers may face, whilst learning how to best support them. It is a good idea to appoint a disability awareness training facilitator to give everyone a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding from the get go.Assigning a designated crew member to take the lead on accessibility, monitor progress and respond to issues, is also a good way to ensure that accessibility is maintained, and that all necessary areas remain in reach.

Getting around

If members of the crew are wheelchair users, or have mobility issues, consider their access before selecting a set location. There is nothing worse than turning up on set at 7am, only to find a flight of stairs deny you access to the area you should be in. Of course, there will be times when a set is simply not accessible, and relocations are not an option- in which case you can only hope to modify the venue to best meet people’s needs.You can also work with the physical production staff to ensure that anyone with mobility needs has access to their necessary environments, and that they make clear signs and reservations for any specific areas a crew member or actor will need to be in.Make sure a wheelchair can easily manoeuvre around the set so that individuals can access as much as possible- and not just basic areas. Otherwise, this limits the communication, input and involvement of that individual. It can also keep an individual from feeling like they are given the opportunity to fully bond with and become part of the community that is being created, when working on any given project, if they are relegated to limited areas while working on the production. The minimum clear width for single wheelchair passage is 32in at a point and 36in continuously, and a 60in space is required for a wheelchair turning circle.If there is movement between sets, consider suitable vehicles for individuals with disabilities, as well as things like accessible restrooms, parking spaces, and elevators.

Communication

For someone with a disability, communication can often be one of the biggest hurdles on a film set. Again, one of the best ways to address this is to understand the needs of everyone, whether it’s those in front of the camera or behind it. Learn how you can best support everyone’s needs and apply a solution. Assistive technology will be useful for any crew members that may have a sensory impairment. For any hearing-impaired crew members, make sign-language interpreters available. For people with visual impairments, work in alignment with what suits them best- whether that is braille documents, or different formats for things like call sheets and scripts, as PDFs can be incompatible with screen readers if not created perfectly.Walkie Talkies may exclude some people with hearing impairments, so when needed, consider ways around them. Establish visual prompts for set instructions, or apps that keep those hard of hearing informed. Most of all, remember that there will be a solution for every challenge.

Rest spaces

Film sets can be loud, hectic, and busy environments! This may be a challenge for someone that is neurodiverse or that has a disability that can result in bouts of fatigue. It could be helpful to have a dedicated space that is calm, quiet and comfortable - that could also be useful for anyone wishing to relax, nap or get some quiet time (especially if they are not an individual who is provided with their own accessible trailer).

Flexibility

Whilst time is a challenge when filming on set, always do your best to offer anyone with a disability some flexibility to accommodate their needs. It may be that they need to attend regular medical appointments, or that they need breaks more frequently than others. They may have diabetes, for example, and may struggle when their day and/or night shooting schedule, including any pre or post shoot prep and breakdown, does not align with their regular meal schedule or scheduled insulin checks. One solution to keeping a more rigid pattern for breaks is enforcing meal penalties to ensure everyone does their utmost to stay on schedule.

Planning for emergencies

If you have anyone working on set with a mobility issue, plan ahead for how you might approach an emergency situation. If you are filming on the 15th floor of a building, and a fire alarm renders the elevators off limits for use- how will you evacuate a person in a wheelchair? Planning ahead and considering any possibilities will mean you don’t fall short in an emergency.

Non-visible disabilities

It might also be worth considering that 80% of all disabilities are invisible, therefore, you probably have more people on set with disabilities than you think. Quite often, a person with a non-visible disability chooses not to let anyone know. However, your production’s open approach and dedication to inclusivity, will likely make them more open to sharing, allowing them to adjust to working in a way that best suits them, and enables them to bring the best version of themselves onto the set. You then benefit from enhanced performance.

Reap the rewards of a diverse cast and crew

After making these adjustments to the set, planning a new method of working and maintaining an effort to be accessible for all, the diverse team you have assembled will feel welcomed and supported.For the sake of a few adjustments, your cast and crew will be an accurate reflection of society, with disability authentically represented within the team.

If you would like assistance in developing an inclusive set, or you would like to find out more about Bascule’s services, contact us today.