Renegades: Judy-Lynn del Rey – About the documentary

Judy-Lynn del Rey (1943-1986) was a New York sci-fi and fantasy editor and a woman with dwarfism who revolutionized the world of sci-fi editing with books from luminaries such as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and Philip K. Dick.

After studying literature at Hunter College, she began her career in 1965 at the digest-size magazine Galaxy Science Fiction as an Office Assistant, rising up the ranks as Associate Editor in just four years. Following her numerous science fiction bestsellers for Ballantine Books, she started her own imprint, Del Rey Books, and brought along her husband Lester del Rey to revitalize the Ballantine science fiction publishing program. Between 1977 and 1990, Del Rey Books was so dominant on the science fiction and fantasy market that they had 65 different titles reach a bestseller list. Del Rey brought us many of the classic sci-fi greats and was instrumental in obtaining the rights to publish novels based on George Lucas’s “Star Wars,” selling 4.5 million copies months before the first movie was even released. Del Rey Books continues to be a publishing leader in science fiction to this day.

Renegades: Judy-Lynn del Rey explores the life and legacy of Judy-Lynn del Rey and the overarching impact of science fiction on societal norms: its ability to shape collective imagination, foster empathy and understanding, and reconfigure cultural thinking towards disability. People with disabilities, as with most historically targeted communities, are often combating inaccurate, harmful narratives about themselves. They are often highly visible in society because of their “otherness,” yet at the same time invisible due to the lack of understanding of the systemic barriers these individuals face. Science fiction narratives, through their speculative and imaginative nature, offer a much needed lens through which disability can be reframed, redefined, and recontextualized. Del Rey’s chosen medium serves as a powerful tool for dismantling stereotype and bigotry, prompting audiences to reevaluate their perceptions of normalcy and difference. Engagement with these ideas embedded in speculative futuristic and fantasy scenarios forces society to reflect on the ethical implications of scientific advancements, question the assumptions underlying notions of ability, and envision more inclusive and equitable futures.

The episode features interviews with: Shelly Shapiro, an editor and Judy-Lynn del Rey’s former assistant; Stephen Donaldson, three-time winner of the Balrog Award and one of the first authors Del Rey ever signed to Del Rey Books; filmmaker and dwarfism historian Aubrey Smalls; Toni Weiskpoff, four-time nominee of the Hugo Award, a publisher and editor at Baen Books, and a superfan of Del Rey Books during her teenage years; Lois McMaster Bujold, six-time winner of the Hugo Award and author of The Vorkosigan Saga, which features a main protagonist with dwarfism; and Dennis Wise, Professor at the University of Arizona and a Del Rey scholar. The film also feature footage from the Norwescon science fiction and fantasy conference to highlight the inclusive nature of the sci-fi community. In the spirit of authentic representation of artists with disabilities, Renegades: Judy-Lynn del Rey features actors with dwarfism for the voice-over roles.

About Renegades

Renegades is a series of five 12-minute short films showcasing the lives of diverse, lesser-known historical figures with disabilities, exploring not only their impact on and contributions to U.S. society, but also the concept of disability culture, which honors the uniqueness of disability. Hosted and narrated by the musician and disability rights advocate Lachi, who is blind, and created and produced by a team of D/deaf and disabled filmmakers, the series is designed to increase public knowledge of disability history, and encourage cross-cultural understanding between non-disabled people and those with disabilities – who make up 1 in 4 adults in America today.

Infused with the spirit of the disability movement’s mantra, “Nothing About Us Without Us,” Renegades places a focus on authentic storytelling, with a cast and crew composed almost entirely of disabled people, and a talent incubator model of filmmaking to mentor emerging directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, and editors with disabilities.

About the filmmakers

Jeremy Hsing is the director of Renegades: Judy-Lynn del Rey. He is a humanistic sci-fi writer, mental health advocate, and second-generation Taiwanese immigrant based in Los Angeles. He specializes in using his psychology background (BA in Psychology and double minor in art history and film from UCLA) to create elaborate worlds that destigmatize mental health, deconstruct toxic masculinity, and challenge the model minority. Past experiences include being the Seasonal Episodic Lab Coordinator at Sundance, AAPI Student Lead at the Center for Scholars & Storytellers, Public Engagement Intern at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Development Intern at Film Independent, and Creative  DEI intern at WarnerDiscovery. Hsing recently co-wrote, produced, and directed the short Fish, which was an official selection at Asian American International Film Festival, Boston Asian American Film Festival, among other festivals. Hsing currently is mentored by Lee Isaac Chung through the Academy Gold Rising Mentorship Program and Lee Eisenberg through the Group Effort Initiative Mentorship Program.

Ryan Camarda is the producer of Renegades: Judy-Lynn del Rey. He is an accomplished documentary filmmaker, renowned for directing Royalty Free: The Music of Kevin MacLeod, distributed by First Run Features. This film showcases Camarda’s adept storytelling and explores Kevin MacLeod’s profound influence on the digital creative sphere. In addition, Camarda made a significant impact with Unwavering Truth: Archive of Our Own, a short documentary focused on Neurofibromatosis Type 2. Drawing from personal experience as a disabled individual, his storytelling reflects a nuanced understanding of the intersection of disability and creativity. Camarda’s work stands as a testament to his ability to bring to light the stories of individuals who have made a meaningful impact on their fields. His filmmaking approach, marked by meticulous research and a nuanced understanding of his subjects, contributes to the cultural landscape of documentary cinema.

Colin Buckingham is the writer of Renegades: Judy-Lynn del Rey. He is a writer, actor, and producer based in Brooklyn, NY. His goal as a storyteller is to make projects that reflect the intersectional nature of disability and create opportunities for historically excluded, disenfranchised and marginalized persons. Originally from Washington, DC, he got his start in writing through choreographing action and stunt co-ordinating on multiple plays, indie films and webseries. Buckingham wrote, choreographed, produced and acted in the short film November Ninth‘. He was a disability and dwarfism consultant for Tomorrow’s Today and another project TBA. He recently started his own production company, “Chromatic Lens”.

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