TV Makers
TV Makers is a podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes of the TV industry, interviewing professionals in various roles to gain insights into their work. Host Ashley Golder speaks with the likes of Steadicam operators, Production Managers, Directors, Lighting Technicians, and more, covering all aspects of the TV world. In each episode, we delve into the intricacies of their roles, learning about the challenges and rewards of working in the industry. With episodes released every two weeks, TV Makers is perfect for TV enthusiasts, aspiring industry professionals, and veterans with years of experience. Subscribe now on your preferred platform and follow @tvmakerspod on Instagram and Twitter for more content.
TV Makers
Ep 38: Access Coordinator, Leah Rachel - Pulling Back the Curtain on Disability & Access in TV
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What does access actually look like on a TV or film production and how can we do better on our own sets, for everyone’s benefits?
In this episode of TV Makers, Ashley Golder is joined by Leah Rachel, an access coordinator working across TV and film, supporting deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent cast and crew.
Leah pulls back the curtain on what access really means in practice, from the everyday decisions made in prep and on set, to the conversations productions often avoid because they’re unsure how to handle them. It’s an honest, practical look at how access works when it’s done well, and why expertise matters.
Together, they unpack:
* What an access coordinator actually does, from prep through to production
* The difference between access needs and access requirements (and why the language matters)
* How hiring an access co-ordinator may not even affect your budget!
* The questions people are often afraid to ask.
* How access benefits everyone on set, not just disabled colleagues.
If you work in TV or film and want to approach access with confidence, clarity, and care - this episode is for you.
You can find more info on the future Access Coordinator training at Screenskills: https://www.screenskills.com
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Questions or guest suggestions? Email podcast@tvmakers.co.uk
Thanks again to Casarotto team:
https://www.casarotto.co.uk/access-team
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Edited by Ben Seale
Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk
Artwork by Benjamin Leon -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website: www.benleondraws.com