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FA7034 - More Autism-themed Films (Updated 3/4/16)

  • April Slocombe
  • Jan 25, 2016
  • 4 min read

In preparation of my MA major project I have looked at existing works of film and animation with the theme of autism, particularly those with an emphasis on sensory issues, for some inspiration.

Sensory Overload (2012). Directed by Miguel Jiron.

Sensory Overload is a short film that starts off as a live action piece but progresses onto an animated piece uaing rotoscoping. It shows an autistic young boy who looks as if he is about to cross the road but he becomes overlwhelmed by the noises and even a cyclist coming too close as he rides straight past. The boy then enters the cafe supposedly hoping for a quieter spot but there is even more noise with the addition of a bright flickeing light. These sensory factors lead him into meltdown. The rotoscoped style of the animation and the coloured lines that represent the sounds in the cafe particularly inspire me because I intend to use these techniques in my own work.

Below is a public information film/public service announcement that uses footage from Sensory Overload. It is for the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and states that "nearly half of al children with autism wander." It also gives help and advice on what to do if people spot a child wandering.

Jenna's Sensory Overload Project (2014)

This project was made by an 11-year-old Fifth Grader called Jenna Block. She produced this film to differentiate the perceptions of how 'neurtypicals' and those with ASD see the world. The film begins with footage at a festival from a 'neurotypical' person's point of view and then it progresses onto an extended sequence of how a person with ASD would see the festival. This sequence has several filters such as giving the footage a pixelated look and a voiceover by Jenna's sister Catherine, who has Asperger syndrome, complaining about the sunlight being too bright and people walking too close to her but more positively becoming attracted to the jewellery on sale. The sensory factors are the most inspirational parts of the film for me because my film will focus solely on how my Asperger syndrome affects my senses.

Sensory Overload in Autism (2011)

This is a simple animated short where a man with a robotic voice describes what sensory overload feels like for those with autism. He even advises viewers not to judge people when they witness someone having a meltdown. Despite its simplicity the description of sensory overload inspitres me the most for my own project.

Silent Film 1 0 by The National Autistic Society

This is a short public information film from The National Autistic Society. It has no sound hence its title and shows people participating in fundraising activities for the charity as well as people constructing the, "Stand out for autism" banner on the railings outside the NAS headquarters.This inspires me for the most positive aspects of my senses since people who experiece sensory overload will not feel overloaded when watching the video and find it more pleasant to view.

Can you make it to the end? by The National Autistic Society

This film promotes The National Autistic Society's latest campaign entitled 'Too Much Information.' It depicts a young boy named Alex who visits a shopping centre with his mother and there are close-ups of objects that pose as a sensory issue for Alex such as loud music from a small children's ride, bright flashing lights from a photo booth and a woman slurping her drink very loudly similar to the one in the Sensory Overload (2012) film. Towards the end Alex has a meltdown and declares he is "not naughty," he is "autistic" and gets "too much information." The sensory factors inspire me the most for the negative aspects of how my senses affect my Asperger syndrome and I also find this an effective way to get the public to be more understanding towards those with autism. Below is a behind the scenes film where people briefly share their experiences of living with autism as well as how Alex was chosen to play the part of the autistic child in the film.

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