The Wheelchair Stays In The Picture

In the year 2035, film historians can clearly trace the inclusion and representation of disability to one family — the Hammer filmmaking siblings. The Wheelchair Stays In The Picture is a mocumentary about three intrepid filmmakers who changed Hollywood through their inclusive and enlightened views on disability. Told through a look back at their early influences and childhood re-productions of classic movies, the film envisions a future where disability is authentically and thoroughly represented both in front of and behind the camera.

Actor Nicolas Noblitt, 13, has cerebral palsy and hearing loss.

  • Nicolas Noblitt
    Key Cast
    "Federico Hammer"
    Principal on Ramy on Hulu, Speechless on ABC, S.W.A.T. on CBS; feature film "Violence of Action" (post-prod)
  • Nathaniel Noblitt
    Key Cast
    "Quentin Hammer"
  • Eliza Noblitt
    Key Cast
    "Sophia Hammer"
    You're the Worst on FX, Retail Commercials
  • Natalie Noblitt
    Key Cast
    "Kathryn Hammer (mom)"
  • Jeff Noblitt
    Key Cast
    "Orson Hammer (dad)"
  • Jeff Noblitt
    Director
  • Jeff Noblitt
    Writer
  • Natalie Noblitt
    Writer
  • Nicolas Noblitt
    Writer
  • Nathaniel Noblitt
    Writer
  • Eliza Noblitt
    Writer
  • Sheila Noblitt
    Writer
  • Natalie Noblitt
    Producer
  • Jeff Noblitt
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 21, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    125 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    iPhone
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2021
Director Biography - Jeff Noblitt

Jeff Noblitt is Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications at California State University, Northridge, where he leads the university’s marketing efforts.

Prior to coming to CSUN, Noblitt served as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Waubonsee Community College in suburban Chicago; Vice President at Cambridge Educational Services, an educational publisher; and as Assistant Managing Editor at the Richmond Register, a daily newspaper in Richmond, Kentucky.

A strong proponent of community economic development and disability advocacy, Noblitt serves as a Board Member for New Horizons, a Los Angeles-based non-profit dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities. He previously served as Chairman of Aurora Downtown and as a board member of the Association for Individual Development. Noblitt and his wife, Natalie, have three children, Nicolas, Nathaniel and Eliza.

Noblitt holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Roosevelt University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola University Chicago. He recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of appearing on Jeopardy!

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Director Statement

The Wheelchair Stays In The Picture is an homage to the great filmmakers of the past and present. It is inspired by our family slogan — Inclusion — that we adopted in honor of my oldest son, Nicolas Noblitt, who has cerebral palsy after being born at 1 lb. 12 oz. and 100 days premature. A more inclusive Hollywood is a dream that is becoming a reality because of the work of the dedicated filmmakers and creative talent who make up the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. We are proud participants in this important journey.

Instagram: @noblittjeff @justyourtypemedia @nicnoblitt @elizanoblitt @nathanielnoblitt @sheila_noblitt

Facebook: @jeffnoblitt @natalienoblitt @nicnoblittactor

Twitter: @jeffnoblitt @justyourtypemkt @nicolasnoblitt