RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2019
Wendy Jane Cohen
Wendy Jane Cohen grew up a stone’s throw away from the Kennedy compound on the idyllic shores of Cape Cod Massachusetts, where her Nixon-sympathizing father encouraged her love of historical fiction, obsession with the Watergate scandal, and deep distrust of humanity. After attending Emerson College, she was hired as the first Writers PA on Mad Men, where she learned how to make screwdrivers and helped oversee the show’s research staff. She then served as a Development Assistant for The Black List, covering industry and awards Q&As throughout Los Angeles. A published poet, her work also has appeared in several literary journals.
Wendy is a passionate activist in the entertainment and disability communities, serving as a member of 5050by2020’s disability cohort and a key organizer of The Media Access Awards, an annual award show which honors disability representation in film and television. A recent MFA graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, she writes historical and political dramas about the corruption of power, because if the past has taught us anything, it’s that people never seem to learn from their mistakes.
She is repped by Bohemia Group.
LEARN MORE
After an extensive search and interview process, 22 individuals were invited to participate in RespectAbility’s Summer 2019 Lab for Entertainment Professionals. This 5-week, nine-session innovative summer lab series for people interested in – and with experience in – development, production and post-production, including careers as writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, animators and other production roles, takes place June 18 – July 18, 2019. Participants include diverse people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health and other disabilities. Learn more: www.respectability.org/respectability-la-lab.
This program, which continues building the talent pipeline of young professionals with disabilities looking to work behind the scenes, is made possible with support by: Comcast NBCUniversal, Jonathan Murray and The Walt Disney Company.
