Natalie Oden interview for Easterseal Challenge 2025

My name is Natalie Oden. I’m an actress and model with autism. What inspired me to participate in the Easterseals disability film challenge was getting a chance to work on films since it’s always been of I wanted to do.

Besides the Easterseals disability film challenge, I worked on other short films, two music videos with Jonathan Davis and a few plays. They shaped my approach to storytelling on how everything works on set and how to make these storytellings seem real the moment you step on set.

What the Easterseals disability film challenge means to me personally and professionally is having the chance to work on set and working my way through more opportunities. How it has influenced my perspective on representation in the industry is that while we have made some progress, we still have work to do on how people with disabilities should have the chance to tell their stories or even come up with stories themselves to share with the world.

A memorable experience I can share with is when I worked on the Easterseals disability film challenge the first time, there’s a scene where I had to run in high heals and I had to film a couple of times. When people watched that scene, they thought it was impressive of me running in high heels as well as being funny.

I usually prepare by memorializing my lines, talking and working with the director on how to make the scenes work, listening to directions. The unique challenge for me was running high heels and having to film it a couple of times.

Give it a shot! Especially if this is what you want to do. You can even gain more opportunities out of it! It’s a lot of fun and you would be so proud of what you made and share it with the world!

How has participating in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge influenced your approach to filmmaking, and what opportunities or insights have you gained from the experience?

The way how I am participating in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge influenced me to approach filmmaking is gaining more experiences on how working on sets works and the insights I have gained from this experience is that the whole team has work with one another in order to make a film. 

2. What is your latest film / project?

As of right now, working on another project for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge though I don't know what the title is yet.

3. This coming thriller/suspense theme film for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge shape your approach to storytelling, and what techniques did you use to build tension and keep the audience on the edge of their seats? 

As of right now, we are working on that since we're still in the middle of production. 

4. How did the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge help you explore the darker side comedy of storytelling, and what unexpected twists or challenges did you face while creating a film with such a unique perspective?

As of right now, that is something we are still working on. 

5. "Dreamer" has been recognized as a nominee, semi-finalist, and award winner across multiple film festivals. What do you believe resonates most with audiences and judges about the film's story or message?

I think what "Dreamer" resonates with audiences and judges is that with a cast and crew with disabilities were all able come together to make a short film and were able to tell a story that they wanted to tell.

6. With "Dreamer" being selected for numerous international festivals, how has the film’s journey shaped your perspective on the importance of diverse and inclusive storytelling in the film industry?

Very important. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do when it comes diversity in storytelling as well as the film industry in general.

7.How did collaborating with Kimberly Cole-Zemke, Despina Mirou, Judy Cerda, Natalie Oden, and Stephen M.D. Chang contribute to the creative and technical aspects of "Dreamer," and what impact did their involvement have on the film’s overall success?

 How did collaborating with Kimberly Cole-Zemke, Despina Mirou, Judy Cerda, Natalie Oden, and

Stephen M.D. Chang contribute to the creative and technical aspects of "Dreamer," and what impact did their involvement have on the film’s overall success? I say that working with the cast and crew went very well. "Dreamer" was very well received. If anything, I would say that doing "Dreamer" has inspired everyone to keep on chasing their goals.