Filmmaking Dynamic Duo Michelle Asgarali and Meagan McAteer

Daniel and Fred are joined by Michelle Asgarali and Meagan McAteer, two highly skilled filmmakers and producers based in Toronto. Leading the charge in disabled culture building, this dynamic duo explores the intersection of disability and film, shares their origins, and discusses their ongoing efforts to advocate for change within the industry and the community.

Video Podcast Version

Chapters

• Show Open (00:00)
• Introductions (00:15)
• Getting Started – Michelle Asgarali (01:38)
• Breaking Character (03:07)
• Meeting Meagan McAteer (05:15)
• Changing Perspectives on the Industry (06:17)
• Meg’s Turn (06:45)
• Master’s Degree & MS Diagnosis (08:13)
• Adopting a Disability Lens & Disability-Centered Spaces (09:36)
• Accessibility and the Apocalypse (10:22)
• Push and Other Projects (10:57)
• Disability Screen Office (DSO) & the Best Practices Guide (12:17)
• COVID, Disability & the Film Industry (12:38)
• Increased Visibility & Tightening Connections in the Disability Community (16:58)
• Accessibility of Remote Work & Regional Restrictions (18:12)
• Disability Producers Lab (22:54)
• “Care Work is Done in the Budget Lines” (24:25)
• Inaccessibility in Air Travel (24:55)
• Breaking Down Barriers in the Film Industry (26:49)
• Disability Inclusion Abroad (29:49)
• Inception Spaces & Day 1 Representation (30:54)
• Closing Remarks & Credits (32:24)

Guest Bio's

Michelle Asgarali - Toronto

Michelle Asgarali is a Canadian writer/producer with a documentary and TV development background. A Toronto Star article featured her for becoming the first openly-disabled show-runner of a Canadian docu-series. This AMI original docu-series, Breaking Character (Winterhouse Films, 2022-), follows six performers with disabilities as they hustle to make their mark on the stage, screen and runway of Hollywood North. She also was the Lead Story Producer of Season 1 of CBC's Push (Fenix Films and TV/Small Army, 2023-), Canada's first major-network prime time series featuring a leading cast with disabilities, as well as writing for children's programs by Lopii Productions. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/masgarali1

Meagan McAteer - Toronto

With over fifteen years of professional industry experience directing and producing documentary and lifestyle television under her belt, Meagan is excited to explore new opportunities and platforms in the pursuit of creative growth, great projects and beautiful stories. 

During the Pandemic Meagan completed a master’s degree in Media Production (The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, 2021) focusing on disability representation in film and television. Her narrative short film, “One Day/Day One” will be participating the festival circuit in 2022/23 season and she is workshopping a number of projects. 

She is working closely with AMI, Telefilm and The Canadian Media fund in the development of the Disability Screen Office and Best Practices Guide with respect to disability in the the Canadian Media Industry.

Webpage: www.meaganmcateer.com

 

Check out Crip Trip highlights and the video podcast episodes on YouTube!

Watch the full series on AMI-tv and AMI+ and follow Crip Trip on Instagram

 

More about the Crip Trip Disability Podcast

Hosted by quadruple amputee filmmaker Daniel Ennett and his longtime collaborator Frederick Kroetsch, Crip Trip is a candid, irreverent, and insightful podcast where disabled artists sh