Creators: Erica Spates, Sam Littenberg-Weisberg. Dude is there for Noah to hold or pet as a way to comfort Noah, and not a service dog who is specifically trained to perform specific tasks. With no prior acting experience, the young girl managed to stand herself out in the worldwide casting call by Netflix. There were moments on set where Sophie told us she was unsure of a line and we worked with her to rewrite it until she felt comfortable. So we made a point to have Amara react to the steps leading up to the door and how Simon — after a failed attempt to lift her wheelchair — has to ring the doorbell for her. Sure, as sitcoms do, … Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Meet our Boards of Directors and Advisors, COVID-19 Pandemic and People with Disabilities, Reporters on Autism Spectrum to Cover Democratic Presidential Primary Debate. 2020 TV-G 1 Season Family Watch Together TV. In one of our episodes, Amara volunteers to go distract Noah’s neighbor. Appelbaum also enriches the pool of disabled talent in Hollywood by nurturing and connecting them to those who can assist with their careers, both on the creative and business sides of the industry. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The Healing Powers of Dude season 1 premiered in January 2020. Amara, however, is played by Sophie Kim, an eleven-year-old with muscular dystrophy who has used a wheelchair since she was four years old. See all news. So instead of just seeing a boy looking uncomfortable while kids pet his dog, you see a visualization of Noah’s anxiety manifested as zombies swarming around him. There is no better way to understand another person’s struggles than to see things from their point of view. For kids who have been struggling with anxiety, but didn’t know what it was or how to communicate it to their parents, to be able to point to this show and say, “this is how I feel.” And to also overcome the stigma of talking about mental illness. Starring: Jace Chapman, Larisa Oleynik, Tom Everett Scott. First off, there is no one who could play Amara besides Sophie because she just embodies this character. Throw in a healthy dose of feel-good moments and teachable lessons, and you’ve got a winner. The Healing Powers of Dude Premieres on Netflix, Jan. 13, 2020. As an individual with an acquired invisible disability - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - she writes about the intersection of disability, employment, Hollywood and politics. Sophie Kim as Amara: Noah's female friend who likes to sing. We decided this could be a great opportunity to show kids and families the struggles people face on both sides, as well as challenge some of the prejudices and misconceptions people have.”, Ninety-five percent of characters with disabilities are played by actors without those disabilities. While Noah’s best friend, Amara, is in a wheelchair, we made sure to write her as a normal teenage girl. Its creators have lofty but achievable goals – to give kids who have anxiety a vehicle to tell their parents how they feel and to “overcome the stigma of talking about mental illness.”. We then thought about how there are disabilities you can see, like someone in a wheelchair, and those you might never know about, like anxiety. Behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, Appelbaum engages decision makers and creatives to improve the quality and number of authentic, diverse and inclusive presentations of people with disabilities on TV and film so audiences can see people with disabilities as vital contributors in America and around the world. Jan 13, 2020 | Full Review…. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The story has obvious messages about extending kindness, respecting different abilities (both emotional and physical), and finding common ground with others. Los Angeles, Jan. 13 – With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, the lack of representation – just 3.1 percent on screen and even less in children’s television (less than one percent) – means that millions of people are unable to see themselves in media today. Source: Kid Screen. We do have a few storylines that address some of her struggles, but those were not at the forefront. She's been confined to a wheelchair since age four, due to Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. We wrote this so that parents can enjoy the heart and the humor along with their kids. As far as casting actors with disabilities, it was one of the best decisions we made making this show. Mauricio Lara as … Or even more importantly, let kids at home see someone just like them and feel less alone. Filming & Production Amara (Sophie Kim), Noah (Jace Chapman) and Simon (Mauricio Lara). RespectAbility worked closely with the show on the character of Amara. Working with RespectAbility has been an incredibly eye-opening experience. The Healing Powers of Dude season 2 hangs in the balance. She is the author of The Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit, which was created to help entertainment professionals to be as inclusive of people with disabilities as possible, and the creator of an innovative Lab Program for entertainment professionals with disabilities working behind the camera. Make connections and build a community of people who are working toward the same goals. The Healing Powers of Dude marks Sophie Kim's on-screen acting debut. Everything takes time, so be persistent. We were also just so excited to discover a young actor in a wheelchair and possibly give them their first job. Edit page. Official Sites “The more families and friends can talk about this issue, the better the chance people can get the help they need,” creators Erica Spates and Sam Littenberg-Weisberg told RespectAbility. Representation is very important to us, as well as to Netflix. There was never a moment where Sophie didn’t show up to set ready to slay her scene. info@respectability.org. HQ: 11333 Woodglen Drive, #102, Rockville, MD 20852 RespectAbility and The RespectAbility Report is a GuideStar Platinum Participant. The Healing Powers of Dude features two characters with disabilities - Noah (Jace Chapman), a middle schooler with social anxiety disorder, and Amara (Sophie Kim), a middle schooler with a physical disability using a power wheelchair. We hope The Healing Powers of Dude will first make you laugh, second make you feel hopeful and third give parents a show they actually want to sit down and watch with their kids. We understand the power of seeing yourself represented in media and that the more you see it the more it can become commonplace. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), anxiety is classified as the most common health disorder in the U.S. • Jace Chapman as Noah Ferris, an 11-year-old boy who struggles with social anxiety disorder is going to a public school for the first time with his emotional support dog named Dude after being homeschooled previously All Details on Girlfriend, Boyfriend or Partner. Nothing about her disability ever hindered production in any way.”, The show had a team of consultants. We decided this could be a great opportunity to show kids and families the struggles people face on both sides, as well as challenge some of the prejudices and misconceptions people have. The Healing Powers of Dude features two characters with disabilities - Noah (Jace Chapman), a middle schooler with social anxiety disorder, and Amara (Sophie Kim), a middle schooler with a physical disability using a power wheelchair. Synopsis: Role is female and aged 9-13 years old and needs to be able to speak English. The Healing Powers of Dude. Which is why I was intrigued and cautiously optimistic when I heard about a new Netflix show called “The Healing Powers of Dude.” The Healing Powers of Dude season 1 incorporates a lot of G-evaluated situational state of mind because of the inner monologs of Dude. Starring: Jace Chapman, Larisa Oleynik, Tom Everett Scott. Source: The Healing Power Of Dude: Season 1 Reviews The controversy behind Dude’s role. | Videos. This was a very difficult period for Sam’s family, but banding together to help Noah only made them closer and stronger. Starring: Jace Chapman,Larisa Oleynik,Tom Everett Scott The Healing Powers of Dude (TV Series 2020– ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. We want people to understand how severe this disorder can be and that it should be taken seriously. SITE DESIGN BY. But beyond her amazing acting, Sophie brought authenticity to the part, and even helped us make sure we were being accurate with Amara. Kids and I have been binging The Healing Power of Dude on #Netflix Super cute show for elementary/middle school kids, about a boy with social … | The healing power of dogs has been proven many times, and dogs continue to help humans cope with mental, physical, and emotional problems every day. Nothing about her disability ever hindered production in any way. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But I think that she was actually 13 when this was published, as she was born in 2006 and is in 8th grade now. “The Healing Powers of Dude” follows Noah Ferris (Jace Chapman), an 11-year-old with social anxiety disorder, as he ventures out of home school and into middle school, armed only with his irreverent emotional support dog, Dude (voiced by Steve Zahn). The character of Amara is “fearless to help push Noah outside his comfort zone,” said Spates and Littenberg-Weisberg. Noah's social anxiety disorder can make his world feel different. We decided, along with two of our other consultants (one of whom is a psychologist who works with children), that the role Dude was playing was best defined as an emotional support animal. Television, especially children’s programming, is the perfect way to introduce kids to characters that may be different than them. We mention on the show that Noah sees a therapist for his social anxiety disorder and his parents get Dude through the help of that therapist. Not only did they give us helpful notes on scripts to make sure we were representing Amara accurately, the people at RespectAbility were kind enough to share their own experiences and anecdotes to include in our scripts. When an 11-year-old boy with social anxiety disorder starts middle school, he finds strength in a scruffy emotional support dog named Dude. Although general anxiety is classified as normal, anxiety disorders are more difficult to cope with. In our show, Noah’s parents get permission from the school board, so that Noah can attempt to go to school again with the help of Dude. A new show premiering today is bucking that trend. “There are disabilities you can see, like someone in a wheelchair, and those you might never know about, like anxiety. “We understand the power of seeing yourself represented in media and that the more you see it, the more it can become commonplace… [Casting Sophie] was one of the best decisions we made making this show. Sophie herself has muscular dystrophy and has used a wheelchair since she was four years old. The Healing Powers of Dude. Lauren Appelbaum is the Vice President, Communications, of RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities for and with people with disabilities, and managing editor of The RespectAbility Report, a publication at the intersection of disability and politics. Sorry if I’m incorrect or wasted your time, just wanted you to know <3, Next: Reporters on Autism Spectrum to Cover Democratic Presidential Primary Debate, RespectAbility Company Credits West Coast: 350 S Bixel Street | With the help of his family, a therapist and some new friends, Sam’s brother finally was able to attend school full-time. Creators: Erica Spates, Sam Littenberg-Weisberg. When an 11-year-old boy with social anxiety disorder starts middle school, he finds strength in a scruffy emotional support dog named Dude. When we set off to create the perfect friends for Noah we knew one of them had to be fearless to help push Noah outside his comfort zone. Some have passed judgment on Dude’s ability to perform well as a social support dog – after all, he isn’t the most well-behaved dog around. I was reading this, and I noticed that Sophie was listed as 11 years old. The Healing Powers of Dude has a lot of upside: Representation, good characters, potentially challenging subject matter and a light touch. “Representation is very important to us, as well as to Netflix,” said Spates and Littenberg-Weisberg. The Healing Powers of Dude (TV Series 2020– ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Casting an authentic wheelchair user for "The Healing Powers Of Dude," a new family Netflix series. The Healing Powers of Dude is Netflix’s new family-friendly comedy series, but it hopes to do more than just make us laugh. Be kind to others and don’t be afraid of people who are different from you. Previously she was a digital researcher with the NBC News political unit. But all great writers do their research and there are so many organizations, like RespectAbility, to assist in making sure they get things right. We chose to use visuals to help viewers understand the severity of Noah’s anxiety. The Netflix series The Healing Powers of Dude is Sophie Jaewon Kim’s first-ever acting credit. Valerie begins to follow Noah on social media. Liane Hentscher/Netflix. I love a good binge-worthy show as much as the next person, and I’m always on the lookout for a show the whole fam can watch together. The Healing Powers of Dude Amara (2020) Actress The Healing Powers of Dude Amara (2020) All Filmography. We not only want what you see on screen to reflect the diverse world we live in, we also want our work environment to reflect it as well. Meet Noah, he's an 11-year-old with social anxiety disorder starting middle school. “Not only did they give us helpful notes on scripts to make sure we were representing Amara accurately, the people at RespectAbility were kind enough to share their own experiences and anecdotes to include in our scripts.”. A new show premiering today is bucking that trend. Read more from our interview with Erica and Sam below the trailer. She and her team have consulted on projects with Amazon, Disney/ABC Television, NBCUniversal, Netflix, and The Walt Disney Studios, among others. Los Angeles CA 90017, Office Number: 202-517-6272 The idea being that Noah needs something comforting to help calm him down when his anxiety is starting to skyrocket and a dog with the right demeanor can do just that. Sam’s younger brother, Noah, has social anxiety disorder and had a hard time transitioning to middle school because of it. Diversity and inclusion are always at the forefront of our minds when casting and hiring department heads and crew members. REALLY different. For emotional support, he's accompanied by a pet dog named Dude, and befriends two charismatic students named Amara (Sophie Kim) and Simon … Sophie herself has muscular dystrophy and has used a wheelchair since she was four years old. Amara (Sophie Kim), Noah (Jace Chapman) and Simon (Mauricio Lara) Los Angeles, Jan. 13 – With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, the lack of representation – just 3.1 percent on screen and even less in children’s television (less than one percent) – means that millions of people are unable to see … Upon reading the script, RespectAbility pointed out that this could be a good “teaching moment” since not every house would be accessible for wheelchair users. “Working with RespectAbility has been an incredibly eye-opening experience,” said Spates and Littenberg-Weisberg. In the Netflix family comedy series The Healing Powers of Dude, 11-year-old Noah Ferris (Jace Chapman) is struggling with a social anxiety disorder that can make the simplest everyday activities feel like he's drowning in quicksand. Related News. From entertainment professionals to presidential campaigns, journalists to philanthropists, she conducts trainings on the why and how to be more inclusive and accessible. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, assistant hair stylist (2 episodes, 2020), additional makeup artist (1 episode, 2020), third assistant director (8 episodes, 2020), trainee assistant director (8 episodes, 2020), second assistant director (6 episodes, 2020), additional assistant director (2 episodes, 2020), Art Department Coordinator (8 episodes, 2020), assistant sound editor (8 episodes, 2020), re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor (6 episodes, 2020), special effects first assistant (7 episodes, 2020), special effects coordinator (1 episode, 2020), special effects first assistant (1 episode, 2020), visual effects supervisor (8 episodes, 2020), compositing supervisor (8 episodes, 2020), Global Head of CG: CoSA VFX (8 episodes, 2020), Visual Effects Executive: Netflix (8 episodes, 2020), visual effects producer: CoSA VFX (8 episodes, 2020), visual effects coordinator (8 episodes, 2020), Second Assistant "A" Camera (8 episodes, 2020), assistant costume designer (8 episodes, 2020), post-production project manager (8 episodes, 2020), first assistant editor (4 episodes, 2020), assistant location manager (8 episodes, 2020), transportation coordinator (8 episodes, 2020), Clearance Coordinator / Writer's Assistant (8 episodes, 2020), first assistant production coordinator (8 episodes, 2020), 2nd Assistant Production Coordinator (8 episodes, 2020), 1st Assistant Accountant (8 episodes, 2020), production coordinator (8 episodes, 2020), Assistant Production Office Coordinator (2 episodes, 2020), key production assistant (uncredited) (8 episodes, 2020). 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