Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Austin Halls

I was born with Moebius syndrome, a condition that left my face paralyzed and limited my ability to express emotions outwardly. Growing up, I often felt misunderstood; people would misinterpret my lack of facial expression as disinterest even though I felt a wide range of emotions inside. It was isolating to navigate social situations where my true feelings weren’t visible. To make matters worse, the only representation I encountered in media was often negative. Characters with facial disfigurements were typically portrayed as villains, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and making it hard to find relatable role models. This absence of positive representation fueled my desire to advocate for change. I realized the importance of showing that individuals with differences can be complex, relatable, and multifaceted. My experiences have driven me to push for a world where everyone, regardless of their appearance, is seen and understood. Being a recording artist with a facial difference is a huge step for positive association of disabilities. Read more>>

James Newman

Action is a huge part of Hollywood and filmmaking in general. Most people don’t understand how involved and expensive adding action to a project can be. That is mostly due to the risks taken and the time needed to do it properly. When you watch any trailer for a TV show or movie, you’re immediately hooked when the action hits the screen. The dynamic and fast-paced movements are exciting and get us invested in a project. That’s what sells a project and yet to most people unaware, it’s the first thing to get cut from a project. Again, action costs a lot to pull off but the risk for the performers is worth the ticket price so to speak. My goal is to bring great action to lower-budget tiered projects to elevate them I the marketplace. Every project deserves to have the same attention and care to action as with all the other departments and areas of the film. Read more>>

Regina San Martino

Hello! This is my story….Throughout my entire life, since I was 14 years old (I am now 43 years old) I have automatically drawn the same character without stopping. When I started art school, the representation of this character evolved with different artistic techniques. Drawing, painting, sculpture, engraving, costume, performance, photography, video. People (and myself) thought I was a “crazy” artist with my obsession. Until I was 38, I made exhibitions without being aware of where my art came from. My whole life was surrounded by this character who was my “muse”. One day in 2018 this “muse” appeared to me. He was my stepfather, I hadn’t seen him in 15 years. I only saw him for 15 minutes and in this short time he abused me, physically and psychologically. My way of reacting, so defenseless, made the message of my art even clearer to me, throughout all those years. Read more>>

Rollonda Coxx

Absolutely. People call my roller skating a “gimmick” which completely undermines my history as a competitive roller skater. After winning multiple national championships, I competed in Taiwan and Spain as a member of Team USA in Roller Figure Skating. My elite athletic career demanded intense training and personal sacrifices. Drag allows me to perform on my skates without the limitations found in competing, and in lots of ways it is even more fun to perform as Rollonda, so I am always ready to roll with new opportunities! While some venues are ruled out because I am on skates, I like to see it as making me Limited Edition. I appreciate the opportunities I already have to roll around places like Los Angeles, Manhattan, Provincetown. I can hardly wait to see where my skates take me next! Read more>>

Brittany Rivera

The balloon industry is often seen as a passion hobby. People might think of balloons as just decorations for birthdays or events, without realizing the depth and complexity of the industry behind them. In reality, the balloon industry is a highly skilled and professional field. It involves much more than blowing up balloons and tying them together. Here are a few reasons why it’s a professional career: Design and Creativity: Professionals in the balloon industry create intricate designs and installations that require artistic skills. They plan and execute elaborate decorations for events, from weddings to corporate functions, often using advanced techniques and a deep understanding of color, form, and space. Technical Expertise: There’s a lot of technical knowledge involved in working with balloons. This includes understanding different types of balloons, how to inflate them properly, how to secure them to various surfaces, and how to handle them to prevent popping or deflation. Read more>>

Elliot Strunk

I would say that I’m often misunderstood by the business community when it comes to being creative, although things are slowly getting better. Many people don’t recognize that just because graphic design is an applied art, that doesn’t mean there’s a large amount of creative thought that is part of the process. However, this work is done for other people and I wanted something more pure that I only create for myself. How I want, when I want and where I want.My art is made using found objects and ephemera. Cardboard from a case of cat food. Trash found in a parking lot. Preselected colors from completed paint-by-numbers kits. There is no master plan. What gets used is left to chance. It comes via mail, traveling, whatever I stumble upon and whatever is left behind by other people. Also, I don’t take commissions. It’s too hard and I’m too selfish. Read more>>