WXXI and the Golisano Foundation presented Give Me Liberty at the Virtual Little Theatre.  The following discussion was with the film’s writer Alice Lawton, supporting actress Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, and WXXI Executive Producer and Move to Include Project Leader Erin McCormick. 

About the film, Give Me Liberty:
Medical transport driver Vic is late, but it’s not his fault. Roads are closed for a protest, and no one else can shuttle his Russian grandfather and émigré friends to a funeral. The new route uproots his scheduled clients, particularly Tracy (Lauren “Lolo” Spencer in a breakout performance), a vibrant young woman in a wheelchair. As the day goes from hectic to off-the-rails, their collective ride becomes a hilarious, compassionate, and intersectional portrait of American dreams.

View more information here: WXXI Give Me Liberty Screening

Meet fashion photographer Rick Guidotti, who now focuses his lens on highlighting the beauty in all of us.

Rick Guidotti has had a career that’s taken him from New York City to Milan and now to Rochester. As a fashion photographer he photographed high fashion models. He’s now focused his lens on highlighting the beauty in all of us. Through his organization, Positive Exposure, Rick spends his time photographing people with genetic differences. In preparation for it’s thirtieth anniversary celebration, The Golisano Foundation brought Rick to the George Eastman House to photograph twenty individuals here in Rochester. WXXI was fortunate to be there to document the process.

Local filmmaker, Adrian Esposito, may be young, but he has already made many films, often about social issues. Having Aspergers himself has made him passionate about telling stories about people with disabilities. His most recent film focuses on the portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood films.

For Sam Maloney, a camera is so much more than a recording device; it’s his window to the world. Living with Autism, Sam uses his camera to bridge the gap into a more social, confident, and independent way of life. With this passion, he has traveled the world, started his own business, and sees no end to the possibilities.

DeafTalent!, produced by Matthew J. Schwartz from JPosh Productions, is an incredible multidisciplinary performance with all proceeds going to the Rochester School for the Deaf for the advancement of performing arts education for Deaf youth. We caught up with JPosh and several performers in the show at the Rochester Fringe Festival to learn about how the show came together.