Autism: The Musical
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| Autism: The Musical | |
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 Promotional poster for Autism The Musical |
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| Directed by | Tricia Regan |
| Produced by | Tricia Regan Sasha Alpert Perrin Chiles |
| Written by | Tricia Regan |
| Starring | Henry Lexi Wyatt Neal Adam |
| Distributed by | BMP Films (2007) (USA) (theatrical) HBO Documentary (2007) (USA) (theatrical) (TV) |
| Release date(s) | April 18, 2007[1] |
| Running time | 94 min. |
| Language | English |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Autism: The Musical is an award-winning 2007 documentary by Tricia Regan that premiered at the April 2007 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film recounts six months in the 2005-06 lives of five autistic children in Los Angeles, California as they write and rehearse for an original stage production.
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[edit] Synopsis
The film recounts six months in the 2005-06 life of five autistic children and their parents in Los Angeles, California as their children write and rehearse for an original stage production.[2] Among the children, Henry Stills is an expert on dinosaurs and a budding comedian; Adam Mandela Walden is a music savant who plays the cello and sings in the film. The other children featured in the film have one or more things they excel at doing if only given the training they need to communicate and develop those skills.
Several of the parents appearing in the film are well known in their own right. For example, Rosanne Katon-Walden was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its September 1978 issue and her husband Richard Walden is the president and chief executive officer of Operation USA, an international organization that shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its work as part of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. American guitarist and singer/songwriter Stephen Stills is "Stills" in the renowned rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young), who recognizes autistic attributes in himself through observing his son Henry. They and the other parents round out a cast of real-life parents struggling with their strained marriages while on the verge of being overwhelmed by the needs of their autistic child.
[edit] Background/Production
An idea for Autism: The Musical film first was raised in July 2005 as potential 48 Hour Film Project, but did not materialize.[3] However, in that same year, noted acting coach Elaine Hall founded The Miracle Project, a nonprofit, Sherman Oaks, California based theater group for children with autism and other afflictions.[4] In late 2005, Tricia Regan began filming the six-month rehearsal process at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services recreation room in Los Angeles.[5]
In March 2007, reality show producers Bunim/Murray Productions expanded its business into films and made "Autism: The Musical" its first acquisition.[6] Bunim/Murray Productions came on board toward the end of shooting to join In Effect Films in producing the film.
[edit] Distribution
After its premiere on April 18, 2007 at Robert De Niro's sixth annual Tribeca Film Festival,[1] the film enjoyed a limited theatrical run in several US cities in 2007.[7] Among its many awards, the film received the best documentary award at the 10th annual Newport International Film Festival in June 2007.[8] The film was purchased for broadcast beginning March 25, 2008 by HBO.[9]
[edit] Reception
On November 19, 2007, "Autism: The Musical" was named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as one of 15 films on its documentary feature Oscar short list. The film has won awards at 7 major film festivals in the U.S. [10][11]
[edit] See also
- Improvisation in music therapy
- Music therapy
- Stanley Greenspan - His floortime approach to engage Autism inspired Elaine Hall to create The Miracle Project, the subject of Autism: The Musical.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Holden, Stephen. (April 20, 2007) New York Times. Feast of Serious Cinema; Partygoers Welcome. Section: E1.
- ^ Page, Janice. (November 17, 2007) Boston Globe Look at autism sings by playing it straight. Section: LivingArts; Page 5C.
- ^ Hair, Margaret. (July 22, 2005) Greensboro News & Record. Reel Fast: Films created in 48 Hours. Page D1.
- ^ a b Ricci, James. (December 31, 2007) Los Angeles Times. New Approach Aids Autistic Children's Rite of Passage.
- ^ Hart, Hugh. (March 23, 2008) New York Times A Season of Song, Dance and Autism. Section: AR; Page 20.
- ^ Adalian, Josef. (March 19, 2007) Variety Reality firm stalks docs. Section: News; Page 1.
- ^ 'Autism: The Musical' to HBO - Entertainment News, Los Angeles, Media - Variety
- ^ Janusonis, Michael. (June 12, 2007) Providence Journal Bulletin. Winners of Newport International Film Festival named. Section: Lifebeat; Page F1.
- ^ 'Autism: The Musical' to HBO - Entertainment News, Los Angeles, Media - Variety
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/19/AR2007111901490.html
- ^ The Hollywood Reporter
[edit] Further reading
- Hart, Hugh. (March 23, 2008) New York Times A Season of Song, Dance and Autism. Section: AR; Page 20.
- Whipple, Jennifer. (July 2004) Journal of Music Therapy Music in Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Meta-Analysis. Volume 41, Issue 2, pp. 90–106.
- Wigram, Tony. (July 2000) Music Therapy Perspectives 'A Method of Music Therapy Assessment for the Diagnosis of Autism and Communication Disorders in Children. Volume 18, Issue 1, pp. 13–22.
[edit] External Links
- Official website
- The Miracle Project - Official film location for Autism: The Musical.
- Autism: The Musical at Rotten Tomatoes
- Autism: The Musical at Allmovie
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