RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2022
Abigail Bruley
Writer/Director Abigail Bruley received a double BS in film and screenwriting from Drexel University where she studied under Ian Abrams, creator of the sci-fi television series Early Edition.
After studying comedy writing and performance at Upright Citizen’s Brigade and People’s Improv Theater and under teachers like Michael Showalter, she created the cult web series “Down the Show.”The series garnered much love from the comedy community and attracted top talent like Janeane Garofalo, Eddie Pepitone, and Kevin McDonald, earning Bruley a Writer’s Guild nomination.
After acquiring a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2013, she emerged from recovery having written a feature, “Main Remains,” writing and directing two supporting short films, “Main Blessings” (starring indie-rock legend Ted Leo) and “Main Absolves” and taking on the ambitious task of writing a funny and relatable brain-injured patient in her short film, “On the Dot.”
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After an extensive search and interview process, 20 individuals were invited to participate in the Los Angeles Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2022 Entertainment Lab taking place June 7 – July 14, 2022. This 6-week, 18-session Lab aims to further develop and elevate the talent pipeline of diverse professionals with disabilities working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 50’s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award.
The Los Angeles Cohort of the 2022 Entertainment Lab is made possible with support by:
- Platinum Sponsors: Murray/Reese Foundation and Netflix
- Gold Sponsors: The Harnisch Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company
- Silver Sponsors: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, and NBCUniversal
- Location Sponsors: Bunim-Murray Productions, DreamWorks Animation, Endeavor, Lionsgate, Nielsen, and ROSIES Foundation
