Originally published on AustimOklahoma.org
AutismOklahoma announces that it is among a select group of regional artists and presenters to receive a Mid-America Arts Alliance Artistic Innovations grant (M-AAA). This award will support the production of a short film animation project, entitled “Even In Death“. The story is written and directed by Zac Davis, director of AutismOklahoma’s Invisible Layers Productions program. Other mentoring artists involved with the project include Jonathan Koelsch, Jerry Bennett, and Justin Rice.
Invisible Layers Director Zac Davis says, “Even in Death” is a story about death, love and life. It chronicles a day in the life of Jonah, a young boy living in New Orleans who is about to experience a loss in his family. Faced with grief, Jonah is visited by the Grim Reaper (Death) and is taken on an adventure through New Orleans that ends with Jonah learning a lesson in life and the true depth of love.
This project is one of the innovative programs offered by AutismOklahoma to provide individuals with autism unique experiences in their areas of interest with the goal of creating more social and community involvement. The complete short film, which features a unique script and art style, is targeted for completion in early Spring 2016.
“The project provides a unique experience for students with autism to do something they enjoy and build skills and friends through the process,” says Melinda Lauffenburger, Executive Director of Autism Oklahoma. “So far, the students have surpassed our expectations in learning photoshop and helping with the animated illustrations. The animated short film will be a professional quality film utilizing the talents of professional illustration mentors along with the gifts of individuals with autism. We really expect to have a first class, festival quality short film to share with our fans,” says Zac Davis, the film’s director.
Funding for AutismOklahoma’s M-AAA’s grant is drawn from generous underwriting by the National Endowment for the Arts, Oklahoma Arts Council, and foundations, corporations, and individuals throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Mid-America Arts Alliance strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout its six-state region and beyond. This is achieved through national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making.
Mary Kennedy, M-AAA’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “AutismOklahoma is to be commended for their commitment to serving their community with this distinctive event. Audiences in Oklahoma and beyond will have the opportunity to see the exciting work of individuals with autism, many for the first time. Mid-America Arts Alliance is proud to help support this work and AutismOklahoma.”
For more information about AutismOklahoma and this project, contact Melinda Lauffenburger at Melinda@AutismOklahoma.org or Zac Davis at Zac@AutismOklahoma.org.
To follow the development of “Even in Death”, like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/EvenInDeathAOK
For more information about Mid-America Arts Alliance, visit them online at www.maaa.org.