Civic Engagement: Making of the PSA for Autism Society of America
This PSA is created by Dani Bowman, an animation major at Woodbury University, who also happens to be on the Autism Spectrum.
This video was upload on Facebook March 31st, 2017, and went viral with over 20k views, 505 reactions, and 293 shares in 3 weeks. This was shown to over 4,000 AMC theaters nationwide as part of Autism Awareness Month. It was also shown at AutFest, April 22nd-23rd at AMC Orange 30 in Orange County.
Dani Bowman
Animation, Character Designs, Storyboard, Voiceover,
Music Producer
Matthew Manning
Director
Maddison Shafer
Backgrounds
Lauren Dair Owens
Original Song
"Better for You"
DeMarco Productions
Music
About Autism Society of America
Autism Socitey of America is a non-profit autism organization that provides services for individual with autism, from childhood to adulthood.
1 in 68 are diagnosed with autism
Over 5,000 individuals with autism will turn 18
90% of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed regardless of their education and IQ level
The goal for this organization is to have individuals with autism to have a productive and successful life.
More info at:
The Beginning of the PSA Production
Matthew Anser and Matthew Manning had ideas on doing a PSA for Autism Society of America to be shown at AMC theaters for Autism Awareness Month. The idea started in Novmeber.
At first, Matthew Manning pitched the ideas to Asner:
After I read these two ideas/suggestions from Manning, I came up an idea for the PSA.
When I emailed my pitch to Matt Asner, this is what our email conversation looks like:
My email to Asner:
12/02/16
"Hi Matt,
It would so cool to have him as a mentor."
Manning's reply to Asner and Me:
12/02/16
"Hello Matt and Dani,
That is when the production started. :)
Manning's email:
12/9/16
"Hello Dani,
This email is just to for the viewer's display. DO NOT USE/STEAL THE IDEAS FROM the owner.
Below is the Character Designs and Storyboards for the Autism Society PSA, DO NOT USE/STEAL the images without the owners approval.
Thank you.
The Musical Track for the Autism Society of America PSA is avalible now!
The music is composed by the famous actress and muscian Lauren Dair Owens (Portrayed as "Young Zoey" from Fox's New Girl). This music was originally composed for Dani's second animated short, The Namazu (which premiered at San Diego Comic-Con along with Mr. Raindrop in 2012). Now it's remade for the PSA showing all through April at AMC theaters.
You can listen more of Lauren Dair's music at her soundcloud!
https://soundcloud.com/laurendair
About the Music Production
The idea of the music 25 second PSA began when I was thought back to the song that Lauren Dair Owens previous performed from my second animated short, The Namazu (2012). The original song is called Better For You.
The lyrics fits to the PSA because the lines like "I know it's hard, but life is too, we're just trying to make it better for you." reminds me of helping someone with autism have an independent, fullfilling, and successful life.
The music was remastered at the DeMarco Productions music studio, where Bob DeMarco (the owner of DeMarco Productions) directed the music, Lauren Dair Owens resang the lyrics.
The PSA that I animated for Autism Society of America featured in the newsletter press release below:
PRESS CONTACT: Cheri Warner | Nicole Player Weissman/Markovitz Communications 818.760.8995 autfestpr@publicity4all.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THE AUTISM SOCIETY PREMIERES NEW PUBLIC SERVICE |
Autism Society 4340 East-West Hwy, Suite 350, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 301.657.0881 or 1.800.3AUTISM |