Creative Support Provided by Individuals with Autism
Oklahoma City, OK – October 26, 2015 – “Even in Death” is an animated short film about life and death, and what happens in between. Produced by Invisible Layers Productions and Autism Oklahoma, “Even in Death” is being created and led by industry experts in Oklahoma City. Creative support for the project is being provided by talented individuals with autism.
The official movie website launches on October 26, along with the crowdsourcing campaign on Indiegogo, which seeks to raise at least $10,000. Preliminary efforts to secure pre-campaign donors have been very successful. The much anticipated film trailer will also be released on the same day.
“Even in Death” is written and directed by filmmaker Zac Davis, a past deadCENTER Film Festival winner. “So far, the students have surpassed our expectations in learning Photoshop and animation software. We really expect to have a first-class, festival-quality short film to share with our fans,” says Zac Davis, the film’s director.
Sequential artists Jonathan Koelsch and Jerry Bennett are the lead designers and illustrators on the film, while music and sound is conducted by the masterful Justin Rice.
What makes “Even in Death” truly unique is the production team working under the lead artists. Twelve individuals with autism are contributors of illustration, animation, and sound production and are being mentored by the creative team. Melinda Lauffenburger, Executive Director of Autism Oklahoma said about the project, “It provides a unique experience for students with autism to do something they enjoy and build skills and friends through the process.”
With a June 2016 completion date set, producers aim to enter the film into summer film festivals, promoting the project to varied audiences. The individuals with autism serving on the creative team will play a key role in promotion and film festival participation, which will bring exposure to the wide range of opportunities there are for those with autism.
“Even in Death” is a whimsical story about love, loss, 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 a charming adventure through New Orleans that ends with Jonah learning a lesson in life and the true depth of love.
More information about the film can be found on the movie’s Facebook page and the film website www.EvenInDeathMovie.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paige Gregory
paigegregory@msn.com
(405) 830-1333
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
- Interview creative team leaders
- Attend launch and gallery event, October 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., 806 Dean A. McGee. Event information NOT for public promotion. Advance notice of media attendance appreciated but not required.
ENCLOSED: Additional info and media resources
MEDIA RESOURCES
Images: Various images available here
Links:
Even in Death Website:
Indiegogo Crowdsourcing Campaign: Publish date October 26 or later
www.indiegogo.com/projects/even-in-death-a-short-film-from-autism-oklahoma#/
Promo Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y3gtjhR77I
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/EvenInDeathAOK?fref=ts
About Invisible Layers:
www.InvisibleLayers.com
An initiative of Autism Oklahoma, Invisible Layers Productions is a pre-employment club for young adults who have autism and are interested in film-making. The group works together weekly to collaborate on high quality films for their customers who include: Youth and Family Services, Junior Achievement, Autism Oklahoma, and other non-profit organizations. Their films are used on websites, at corporate events, and for TV or social media.
About Autism Oklahoma:
www.AutismOklahoma.org
Autism Oklahoma creates a substantial and positive impact for families affected by autism in the state of Oklahoma, bringing hope, empowering kids, and helping Oklahoma become more autism-friendly and aware! Autism Oklahoma desires every person and family affected by autism to have the opportunity to reach their potential! Autism Oklahoma accomplishes this through parent support groups, the annual PieceWalk, summer camps, mentoring groups, pre-employment clubs, and community outreach.
13919-B N. May Avenue #106, OKC, OK 73134
(405) 315-6337
melinda@autismoklahoma.org
ZAC DAVIS, “Even in Death” Writer/Director
Zac Davis is an award-winning filmmaker and visual artist. He has completed work for organizations such as Dateline NBC, OETA, Nike and Univision. His abilities in animation, directing and cinematography have led him to develop ad campaigns for the Oklahoma City Ballet, Youth and Family Services Inc., Save the Children and AutismOklahoma.org. In 2015 he won 2 ADDY® Awards in directing and editing for commercial work in television advertising. He attended film school at the Oklahoma City Community College where he won Best Oklahoma Short at the deadCENTER Film Festival, and went on to graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.A. in creative writing. For over a year now he has been working with AutismOklahoma.org as the director of Invisible Layers Productions, a pre-employment and program for young adults with autism who are interested in the art of filmmaking and storytelling.
JERRY BENNETT, “Even in Death” Lead Designer, www.artistjerrybennett.daportfolio.com
Jerry Bennett is a comic book writer and artist, having fully illustrated several comics for independent producers, and is currently penciling the web series ‘Lovecraft is Missing,’ as well as creating educational materials in a comic format for Oklahoma University, library systems and other educational companies. His diverse styles has allowed him to illustrate children’s picture books, board games, design concept art for many companies and create award-winning licensed shirt designs for Marvel, Lucasfilms and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Even Marvel legend Stan Lee commissioned exclusive art from Bennett to raise awareness for his literacy charity, The Stan Lee Foundation. In addition to displaying his work in solo show at galleries across the state, he is also a staple at many comic cons throughout the Midwest, being invited as a guest at several.
JONATHAN KOELSCH, “Even in Death” Lead Designer, www.jkArts.com
Jonathan Koelsch has been illustrating professionally since graduating with honors from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and he attended Kansas City Art Institute’s illustration program. He is winner of over 25 local and regional Addy awards and 3 CASE Collegiate awards.
Jonathan is passionate about sequential storytelling, including graphic novels and animation is highly sought-after for commissioned children’s books, as well as storyboards for commercials and movies, such as “Rudderless” with actor and director William H. Macy.
A few of Jonathan’s clients include the Oklahoma City Thunder, Target, Sonic Foods, Braum’s Foods, Kraft Foods, The Food Group Advertising in Chicago, AT&T, Ditch Witch, Timberjack, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and Oklahoma Today magazine.
JUSTIN RICE, “Even in Death” Composer and Sound Engineer
Justin Rice has been writing and recording music for over 18 years. Justin has written music and acted as sound engineer and composer for several films and documentaries including the award winning documentary film the Starvation Doctrine. He has worked alongside industry professionals for most of his career and has had his work featured on networks such as MTV. He also holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy, and has taught at the college level for the last six years.