PHOENIX — It was at an early age when Valley resident Vincent Rutley realized he wanted to be an actor. As a kid, Rutley would watch his brother perform in stage plays and he decided that was something he wanted to do.
From church productions to community theater, Rutley honed his craft and continued to build his dream. After booking several jobs, it seemed like his plan to become a professional actor was well on its way.
Then a tragic car crash in 2011 changed his life forever. He was involved in a crash that left him a quadriplegic. After the incident, acting became an afterthought as he adjusted to his new life.
He finally returned to the acting world in 2014, but this time as a wheelchair actor and filmmaker.
"I didn't lose my ability to think and to dream and to write," Rutley proclaimed. "I lost physical things, the passion never left."
Once he found out he was still able to perform in a wheelchair, Rutley said the sky was the limit.
"Since I couldn't rely on my physical attributes anymore, I had to get creative," he said.
Rutley added that he had to focus on his facial expressions and tone of voice to really build his skills.
His hard work has paid off as Rutley has appeared in several commercials and films in recent years. His current project is a short film submission for the 2024 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
Entrants participating in the contest must create a 5-minute short film about the disability world, but it must center around a singular theme. The theme for this year is "Buddy comedy."
This is Rutley's first time producing a film, but he said it was a great experience. The film he submitted is titled "Step Buddies" and is available to watch on YouTube.
The film is being considered for several categories including "Best Film." We'll just have to wait and see what honors it receives.
"If I win, the whole team wins," Rutley stated about all those who helped him produce the film.
For now, Rutley continues to work on his acting craft and is now part of the community looking to make the entertainment world more inclusive for people with disabilities. He said the industry has made lots of strides in making sure disability stories are portrayed accurately.
To learn more about the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and see other submissions, visit the official website.
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