As part of their residency, the CRIPS series team is setting up a writers’ room – a creative laboratory where they will work on the further development and conception of the dramedy series. Jan Kampmann (Creative Lead) and Leonard Grobien are designing the laboratory and inviting a great artistic team to join them in shaping the creative process. In September, the artists will be guests at the Un-Label studio as part of the Laboratory for Inclusive Culture (L.I.K.).
About the residence
Three millennials with physical disabilities realise that they have been putting off living their real lives. Careers, relationships, dreams – everything remains untouched until a fire alarm crosses their paths. An absurd chance encounter turns into an intense friendship: together they navigate relationship chaos, everyday barriers and inner crises. Instead of a hero’s journey, this is a group journey – because sometimes it’s not about finding yourself, but about finding people who are there when you need them.
CRIPS is a dramedy series about late coming of age – between longing, self-doubt and the attempt to become the main character in your own life at over 30. Funny, touching, socially critical: a story that goes where it hurts, where we have to laugh – and realise that sometimes the two are very close together.
CRIPS is more than a series. CRIPS is a missing link. Between the few, often pitiful or clichéd characters with disabilities on screen – and the millions of people with disabilities in the real world. Between cringe, comedy and care. Between self-image and external image. We are convinced that humour is the sharpest tool for breaking down rigid images. Not by laughing at the Crips – but with them. Not by creating heroines who are strong ‘despite’ their disabilities – but people who are simultaneously strong and weak, funny and sad, loud and quiet. People whose lives are messy, contradictory, touching and quite funny.
CRIPS doesn’t talk about disability, but through it. With characters who are never just ‘the disabled extra’, but who take the lead when it matters. A series that doesn’t want to educate – but to inspire.
We want people without disabilities to watch CRIPS and laugh, feel, cry – and then at some point realise: “That’s right, they’re Crips. I almost forgot.‘ That’s our goal. Visibility that doesn’t consist of deficits, but of life. And we’re not doing this because it’s trendy right now. We’re doing it because it’s long overdue.’
Jan Kampmann – Creator, Creative Lead.
The writers’ room for the series CRIPS is part of the NEST programme run by MOIN Filmförderung and is supported by the Claussen-Simon Foundation.
Artists
Jan Kampmann (idea, concept, creative lead, acting) has become one of the most recognisable voices in the German-speaking crip entertainment cosmos over the past three years. He acts, writes and speaks – always with a double meaning in terms of humour and attitude. His most recent productions include ARD and ZDF series and television films, a German premiere at the Altes Heizkraftwerk theatre in Hamburg, performances in public spaces and self-written stage plays. Jan also develops his own material, advises productions on anti-ableism, gives diversity workshops and is an ambassador for Filmmakers, among others.
Jan Kampmann
Leonard Grobien
Leonard Grobien (director, concept) writes and produces films, acts in front of the camera and on stage. He also advises on screenplays and films with regard to accessibility. He graduated in screenwriting from the International Film School Cologne (ifs) in 2023 and lives in Berlin. With his company Aura Film (aura.film), he has produced more than eight short films. In 2019, Leonard hosted FUNK’s YouTube channel ‘100 percent me’, which was nominated for the Grimme Prize. As an actor, he has appeared as a guest at the Schauspielhaus Wien, the Theater an der Ruhr and the Theater Hagen, and in 2024 he appeared on stage in the Un-Label production ‘24 Hebel für die Welt – Berichte aus der Winterreise’ (co-production with the Beethovenfest Bonn). Productions in which Len is involved have been invited to festivals in Graz, Bremen, Mainz, Heidelberg and Berlin.
Yulia Yáñez Schmidt
Yulia Yáñez Schmidt (acting) was born and raised in Cologne. She studied cultural studies in Hildesheim and Cologne before completing her acting training at the Inclusive Acting Studio at Schauspiel Wuppertal from 2019 to 2022. Her work as an actress is characterised by the immersive performance installations of the Danish-Austrian collective SIGNA, with which she has performed at various venues in Germany, Austria and Denmark. From 2022 to 2023, she was a member of the ensemble at the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus. Since 2024, she has been working primarily as an actress in television.
Lorelei Holtmann
Lorelei Holtmann (sensitivity reading, concept) is an actress and author. As a sensitivity reader, she supports character development with a focus on diversity and sensitivity to discrimination. She contributes her own CRIP experience and theatre dramaturgy expertise.
Melanie Grün
Melanie Grün (production) is an experienced producer who has worked for Brainpool, Paloma Pictures and FLOW Media. She was responsible for formats such as ‘Ladykracher’, “Pastewka” and ‘Queens of Comedy’ and brought numerous comedy and dramedy successes to German television. With a keen sense for socially relevant topics with attitude, she now primarily produces diverse and innovative series formats for the streaming and TV market.
Fassung 3 Collective
Fassung Drei (screenplay collective – Jana Forkel, Sophie Dittmer, Alexander Schmid) is a young, multi-award-winning collective of writers with their own unique take on everyday comedy and interpersonal relationships. Jana Forkel in particular has recently enjoyed considerable success as head writer of Angemessen Angry, winning awards including the Grimme Prize.
About the Un-Label Artist Residency
Un-Label’s artist residencies offer artists with disabilities the opportunity to realise their own creative projects with targeted support. The Laboratory for Inclusive Culture (L.I.K.) in Cologne-Neuehrenfeld is creating a central location where artists with disabilities can come together, network and work in an inclusive environment. In addition to financial, personnel and logistical support, there is a focus on interdisciplinary and intersectional collaboration. Un-Label also works with network partners to anchor accessibility and the promotion of artists with disabilities in the cultural scene in a sustainable manner.
