Two thumbs up for Inclusion Films
by Patricia
Joey Travolta (yep, he’s John’s brother) was a special education teacher before his success in the film industry. He paired these two areas of expertise (special education and filmmaking) to start Inclusion Films, a practical film workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. Based in Burbank, California, the program teaches students everything from writing scripts to building sets and using film and editing equipment. Best of all, they work with Easter Seals Southern California to help find jobs for graduates of the program. A story in the L.A. Times explains:
Students with autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome are trained by working cinematographers, set designers, actors and other professionals who are active in the industry. “The filmmaking process is a great teaching tool about life,” said Travolta, 61. “A lot of our students aren’t going to be filmmakers and may never work in the film business, but they are going to be able to go into the workplace and have a sense of what it’s like to be on the job. This builds their self-confidence.”
Inclusion Films took their show on the road this summer and hosted short film camps at California college campuses from San Diego to Oakland, and across the country from Englewood Cliffs, NJ to Pittsburgh, PA. From the Inclusion Films web site:
The program is designed to develop self-esteem, confidence, and creativity through acting, improvisation, and digital filmmaking. Our students learn essential skills for a career in film in a non-competitive environment.
I totally dig the Inclusion Films concept — organizations who want Inclusion Films to come to their city to host a short film camp are encouraged to contact them by Email at inclusionfilms@aol.com.