A Halifax filmmaker whose work shone a light on the challenges faced by people with disabilities died earlier this week.
Spencer MacKay, 27, who had a rare form of dwarfism, used humour to break down stigma. He is being remembered for an infectious spirit and positive attitude.
“I think that he embodied the spirit of celebrating people of all abilities and within his work highlighting the experience of someone who is disabled,” said actor and filmmaker Taylor Olson.
“He was just always authentic and genuine and … lived and created work on his own terms.”
Olson first crossed paths with MacKay in 2018 on a short film. Newly graduated from the NSCC’s screen arts program, MacKay was hired to work on the crew and was “excitable and passionate and ready to work,” said Olson.
MacKay, centre, is shown on the set of Scouter Joe, which was released in 2022. (Oula Maguire)
A friendship developed between the two. Over the years they’d share scripts with each other and give feedback. They also worked together behind the scenes on projects.
Olson is the host and director of Disrupt, a television show that showcases artists with disabilities. MacKay worked as a first assistant director on the show and his work was featured on an episode.
How MacKay got interested in filmmaking
MacKay told CBC News in 2018 that he always had an interest in filmmaking. Growing up, he would make films with his stepbrother, in part because he couldn’t play sports such as baseball and soccer.
“You have to find other ways of entertaining yourself and for me, instead of going out and playing that, I’d make up little stories as a kid,” he said.
MacKay said that while his disability limited some of the things he could do behind the scenes on set, it didn’t discourage him.
“I think it’s a strength because I can tell some stories other people can’t and I can bring a voice to filmmaking and the medium that many people just don’t have,” he said.
One of MacKay’s films, 2022’s Interabled, tells the story of a controversial podcaster who, in an effort to rehabilitate his image, invites an interabled couple to participate on his show.
Interabled is a term for a relationship where one of the members of the couple has a disability.
In Interabled, the podcast host asks questions to learn more about interabled relationships. Some of the questions include what blackmail the person with the disability has on their partner and whether this is one of those “Make-A-Wish thingies.”
Jay McManus said Interabled is a good example of the qualities that could be found in MacKay’s work.
“He knew when to be serious and he knew how to take very sensitive subjects and make them funny without being offensive,” said McManus.
Actor and filmmaker Taylor Olson is shown with MacKay. (Kelly Rose)
He called MacKay an honorary family member. He said he had dinner with him two days before his death.
McManus first met MacKay on the set of one of MacKay’s short films, Scouter Joe. He said MacKay greeted everyone on set, thanked them for their work and told them how great a job they were doing.
“He was the type of guy that you liked right away,” said McManus.
Olson said MacKay will be greatly missed in the film community.
“There’s gonna be a hole there and he had a lot of gas left in the tank,” said Olson. “He was going to do so much more and it’s just sad that he didn’t get to.”
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