Film workshop prepares adults with ASD for employment

In collaboration with Joey Travolta's Inclusion Films, the OUCARES film workshop teaches the basics of film production to adults with ASD.

By Eric Reikowski, public information specialist

With support from a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Oakland University Center for Autism (OUCARES) will host a 15-week Practical Film Workshop for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Monday, Feb. 24 – Friday, June 6. The workshop is sponsored in collaboration with actor/director Joey Travolta's Inclusion Films and aims to prepare adults with ASD for employment in the film, media and entertainment industries.

“Raising the quality of life for someone who is on the autism spectrum is OUCARES’ mission,” said Kathy Sweeney, OUCARES director. “One of the best ways to improve someone’s life is to help them become a contributing member of society.”

The program will teach the basics of film production – including lighting and camera skills, editing and writing – and also develop social skills through acting and role playing exercises. To learn more about the Practical Film Workshop, view this YouTube video from Inclusion Films.

Participants must be 18 or older and possess a high school diploma or GED. The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be temporarily housed at Meadows School in Rochester Hills. Tuition cost is $7,000, with partial scholarships available through OUCARES. To obtain a workshop and scholarship application, email oucares@oakland.edu. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 20.

For more information on OUCARES, including ways to support its mission to improve the lives of individuals with autism and help meet the needs of their families, visit oakland.edu/oucares.