The Actor Rachel Handler, on set for “Interview WIth The Vampire,” who wrote and produced “Don’t Take This The WRong Way,” filmed at Key Food.

Bionic Brunette is an award-willing writer and filmmaker who moved to Dutchess County a few years ago, spending her career time between the Hudson Valley and NYC. Her name is Rachel Handler and she wears a glittery golden prosthetic leg.

Rachel’s leg is the extension of her that drove her to write and star in the just over 5 minute short thriller film, “Don’t Take This The Wrong Way” to compete in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, which was filmed at Beacon’s Key Food and in Wappingers Falls with a local cast and crew, which included Beacon-based Twinkle Burke who played “Maria” and makeup and special effects makeup by Jenny Magliano. The local production company Whirligig Pictures provided the crew and equipment.

Rachel’s covered Prosthetic Leg in a scene clipped from “Don’t Take This The Wrong Way,” in an isle of Key Food.

This year’s genre for the film challenge was Thriller. “This film is incredibly suspenseful, as my character completely unravels and loses her sense of self and reality,” Rachel told A Little Beacon Blog. “I've been in a few different TV shows, most recently Interview With The Vampire. But I also love to write, direct and produce. This is my 10th film for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, and this one is all about common microaggressions people with disabilities face on a daily basis.”

“This was an incredibly written film from deep within and thank you for the bravery so many people would love to have. Incredibly done!”

— Makup Artist Jenny Magliano

This film is compact with lead-up detail, coming in just over 5 minutes, so we won’t spoil any seconds for you. ALBB has watched it 6 times already, and a new discovery “ah ha!” moment is revealed with each replay. Like with the handicap sign in the Key Food parking lot, and the intrusive guy taking the photo. Won’t say any more!

“This film is based on my own experiences as a disabled filmmaker and actress. I channel those experiences into my art as a coping mechanism and for catharsis.”

Set in a grocery store because that is one of the main places Rachel as a person with a disability receives micro-aggressive comments about her leg that seem to start with “Don’t take this the wrong way, but…” Rachel told the Highlands Current that when she said she wanted to film it in a grocery store, her Director of Photography, Robert Featherstone, suggested Key Food, saying that he shops there often and would ask the owners.

“This film is based on my own experiences as a disabled filmmaker and actress. I channel those experiences into my art as a coping mechanism and for catharsis.”

— Rachel Handler, Writer, Actor, Producer

“Thank goodness [the owners] said yes,” Rachel told the newspaper. “Shooting in Key Food was such a dream. Everyone was so accommodating and welcoming.” Rachel hopes her film helps disabled people “feel seen and heard.” She told the newspaper that some people - even on her own film crew - didn’t realize they had a disability. “Our director has ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder]. She never identified as someone with a disability, but ADHD is covered under the [federal] Americans with Disabilities Act. We’re hoping that more people get comfortable self-identifying so that the perspective shifts to seeing the strengths in disability rather than the flaws.”

Hudson Valley Makeup Artist Jenny Magliano applying the Special FX prosthetic makeup to the throat of Beacon-based actor Twinkle Burke for the short thriller “DOn’t Take This The WRong Way.”

Makeup artist Jenny Magliano did the makeup, and the Special FX prosthetic makeup, for when Twinkle Burke’s character “Maria” had her (trigger warning!) throat slashed after a micro-aggressive question. “Jenny did an incredible job with the slash prosthetic,” Twinkle told ALBB.

“I was thrilled to be asked to work on this film for this cause,” Jenny told ALBB. In her Instagram, Jenny shared: “I had the pleasure of donating my time to work on this amazing film with some of the best in the industry. Thank you Bionic Brunette (Rachel Handler) for having us. This was an incredibly written film from deep within and thank you for the bravery so many people would love to have. Incredibly done!”

Locally, Healthy in Color across the street and down the block granted a discount for the cast and crew’s lunch break.

“Don’t Take This The Wrong Way” is competing in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, and they need your views! View the film right here or on YouTube. Like it, Share it, Comment on it. Deadline is Monday, April 21, 2025! Be like ALBB and watch it a few times to pick up on different details.