Film - Alien to the World

Alien to the World

Alien to the World is a film about my personal experiences with Aspergers Syndrome that I made for my Masters dissertation at Bangor University.

Thanks to everyone who helped me make this project a reality.

Robert Mann MA

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SUMMARY

"Autism is not a puzzle, nor a disease. Autism is a challenge." -Trisha van Berkel

A simple but apt description for not only the wider Autistic Spectrum but also the condition known as Aspergers Syndrome. A form of Autism that affects the social and functional abilities of those who have it, many do not realise the true effect it has on someone who has it.

'Alien to the World' is an attempt to rectify this, offering a glimpse into how one person is affected by the condition on a daily basis and how they struggle to cope with the things most people take for granted. This film offers a personal, and sometimes humorous, view of both what it is like to live with Aspergers Syndrome and how a person with Aspergers views a world which by and large does not accept them.

Alien to the World is based on the personal experiences of writer and director Robert Mann, himself diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, and features music by American musician Lindsey Nebeker, who has a diagnosis of Autism.

CREDITS

Written, Produced, Directed and Edited by Robert Mann
Cinematography by Robert Mann, Nick Williams and Mai Yasuhara
Additional Cinematography by Daivid Mann and Eli Wills
Cinematography Assistance by Nicholas Hintze and Eli Wills
Flash Animations by Robert Mann
Casting by Robert Mann

Robert/Narrator/Maximilian Drake/Masked Man 1 - Robert Mann
Jenny/Hostage - Lizzy Hawley
Alex Roberts - Zara Swanton
Jane Fisk - Eli Wills
Head of Police - Alexandra Coke
Himself - John Edward Green
Himself - Patrick Thomas
Themselves - The members of National Autistic Society Bangor Social Group
Robert's Dad/Cinema Customer - Daivid Mann
Alex Roberts' Boyfriend/Masked Man 2 - Nick Williams
Hostage Taker 1/Maximilian Drake's Employee - Vaibhav Dewan
Hostage Taker 2 - Robert Burstow
Hostage Taker 3 - Matt Ison
People In Bar - The Members of BUFFS
Friends - Lizzy Hawley, Eli Wills and others
Couple - Nick Williams and other

Soundtrack featuring original music by Lindsey Nebeker

Stock music, videos and images courtesy of iStockaudio, iStockvideo and iStockphoto

Creative work and Autistic Ambition Productions ident ©2010 Robert Mann

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If you want to know more about Lindsey Nebeker and her music you can visit these web pages:
http://www.myspace.com/lindseynebeker
http://www.reverbnation.com/lindseynebeker

The following videos can also be viewed on the Autistic Ambition Productions YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/AutisticAmbition?feature=mhee#p/u

If you like what you see please also check out the Autistic Ambition Productions Facebook fanpage at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Autistic-Ambition-Productions/211113208937459

...and the Autistic Ambition Productions Facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/201522829904879/

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Introduction to Alien to the World

Alien to the World Part 1 of 6

Alien to the World Part 2 of 6

Alien to the World Part 3 of 6

Alien to the World Part 4 of 6

Alien to the World Part 5 of 6

Alien to the World Part 6 of 6

It is my hope that this film will help to raise awareness about the way Autistic people live their lives. Please feel free to post any comments about or reviews of my film. I welcome feedback.

Robert Mann MA

'Reality Checked': Behind the scenes of 'Reality Check'

Reality Checked - Behind the scenes of Reality Check from Jack Green on Vimeo.

Almost a month ago I posted a film called Reality Check on my blog, which featured a segment about a character with Autism.

Reality Checked goes behind the scenes of that film, featuring interviews with all the major players behind the film, me included, and provides a few views about the film's presentation of Autism.

Robert Mann BA (Hons)

Short Film: 'Reality Check'

Reality Check from Jack Green on Vimeo.

This is a film I worked on as part of a group project for my Bachelors Degree in Creative Studies at Bangor University. I am posting it here because one of the stories within the film is about a character with Autism.

Reality Check is a short film consisting of three different stories based around perceptions of reality.

The first Jigsaw is about how a man with Autism views the world.

The second Mobile is about a man who becomes convinced that he is living the events of certain films.

The third and last Coma is about a woman who is unsure of whether she is dreaming or awake.

I mainly did camera work but also played a small part in the second story (sorry for that - I know I can't act).

The real talents behind the film are Jack Green, David Pallant, Rhi McCrorie, Iain Williamson and Tom Ensor.

Robert Mann BA (Hons)

A love for film conquers all

A love for film conquers all

Article from Student Life in Bangor

Graduating with an upper second class honours degree in Creative Studies is a dream come true for film fanatic, Robert Mann from Llandudno who's among the first class of students to graduate in this new BA degree at Bangor University.

Robert, who's 21 and a former pupil of Ysgol John Bright, Llandudno was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at the age of 14 and has struggled more than most to adjust to university life. He said,

"I came to Bangor because it was in daily travelling distance which meant that I could continue living at home, as I'm not ready to live alone yet. I started off having to have taxis to get to and from Bangor, initially required a mentor for getting around the campus, needed a note taker at first and had major difficulty socialising and working with other students."

Over the three years, Robert has overcome all obstacles and is now much more independent; being able to travel alone, produce his own notes and interact with other people as well as holding down a job in his local cinema. He added,

"I feel happy and relieved. Also, a bit surprised because I have faced a lot of obstacles and because the 3 years have gone much better than I expected them to."

"I struggled a lot at school because other pupils didn't understand me. I had support from my teachers and because I wanted to go to university they helped me in the right direction. Because I have an interest is film (watching, reviewing and making) I have been able to incorporate this into my studies at university."

As part of his Creative Studies Course, Robert got a chance to be involved in the production of a number of films including a documentary on Aspergers Syndrome from his own personal perspective which he hopes to develop further in future.

Having gained confidence in himself and his ability, Robert has decided to continue his studies. He added,

"I'm starting an MA in Bangor this September, which I will be doing part time over two years. In the long run I hope to become a film critic and/or director, as this is a profession that I would really enjoy doing and I feel that I would very good at it."

Robert would like to thank all the staff at Bangor's Student Services Centre and his tutors who have helped and supported him on his journey to success.

Copyright © 2001-2010 Student life in Bangor

The original article can be viewed here:
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentlife/news/robert_mann.php.en

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This article is a follow-up to my previous post:
http://thewonderfulworldofautism.blogspot.com/2010/01/level-success-for-movie-critic.html

I feel that, when compared to the previous article, it illustrates the ways in which I have developed socially and academically during my time at university.

While I doubt that I will be developing much more socially, my Masters degree involving me being on my own a lot more, I believe that once my Masters is completed, I will have developed significantly more in academic terms.

Robert Mann BA (Hons)

A-Level Success for Movie Critic

I just thought I would share this article that was published in North Wales Weekly News on August 25, 2005, written by MARI JONES.

It was written about me just after I had completed my A-Levels.

I will shortly be posting another article about me from after completed by Bachelors Degree at University.

Combined the two articles help to show how I have progressed and overcome some of the difficulties posed by my Aspergers since leaving school.

Robert Mann BA (Hons)

Welcome

My name is Robert. At the age of 14 I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a form of Autism (I might have been diagnosed at a younger age if the person brought in to see me hasn't said that I was just going through a phase that I would grow out of - I showed them).

When I got this diagnosis it was a relief in many ways. I had always been an outcast of sorts at school and often got picked on (fortunately it was only ever verbal for me, not physical) for being different. My diagnosis changed everything. Once I knew of my diagnosis and all my teachers and fellow students were informed of it things improved for the better in my school life. I was no longer picked on by other pupils and teachers were far more understanding when I had difficulty coping with the work load (although less so the work itself - I was always fairly bright). In this regard being diagnosed with Aspergers is undoubtedly one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It has my life a whole lot easier in quite a few ways.

However, while my life is hardly what many would consider to be difficult, my condition still creates a huge amount of difficulties in my life. Of course awareness of it makes these issues considerably less difficult but it doesn't eliminate them. One of the biggest problems is one shared by many people with Austism Spectrum Disorders. The general expectation of society tends to be that everyone is responsible to get a job and pull their weight in the world. For Neurotypicals this is as easily done as it said, as many people perform jobs in shops, restaurants, offices, etc. day by day without too much difficulty. They just take such jobs for granted and perhaps even enjoy their work. For someone with Autism, however, doing such jobs is more easily said than done. The intense pressures that come with such common jobs as these are often too much for the Autistic mind to handle. We have major difficulties dealing with social situations, something that many of these jobs involve on a day to day basis, and we tend to mentally burn out at a much faster pace than people who aren't Autistic. Add into this, the sensory sensitivities that often come with Autism and it makes some jobs virtually impossible to do. Nonetheless, though, I do have a job, working at a cinema - a perfect fit considering how much I love film. For someone like me simply working at a place like this is quite a feat. Unfortunately, the difficulties created by my Autism mean that I can currently only handle one shift a week, after which I am usually so drained of energy and morale that it can take me ages to fully recover - although as I am also currently a student doing a Masters the stress created by my university work cannot be ruled out as a factor in this. It's not that I am work shy. In fact, once I have finished at university I would very much like to get a job. It's just that, like with many Autistic individuals, I can't perform the kind of work to the level of ability that others do. What I intend to do though is use the gifts that come with Autism to my advantage.

Autism isn't all bad. It comes with many positive aspects. For example, some Autistic people, referred to as savants, have incredible abilities involving things such as mathematics or art, abilities that make them true talents. Such abilities can very well by utilized by those who possess them as a means of making a living by doing something that they truly love doing. I, sadly, am not a savant, but even non savants can still possess impressive skills and abilities, often revolving around incredible memories relating to the favourite interest(s) of the individual. This is very much the case with me. The interest that I pursue obsessively (everyone with Autism seems to have one) is films. I watch films all the time and I have developed an extensive knowledge relating to the subject. While I often have difficulty remembering simple day to day films, I can remember considerable amounts of information about movies - release dates, production budgets, box office grosses, cast lists, that kind of stuff - and I am also very good at writing movie reviews and articles, something that I do on a weekly basis, publishing them on an online blog.

This is certainly something that I could pursue as a career. What's more though, like numerous other Autistic individuals, I have a very creative mind. Frequently, new ideas for films just pop into my head and while I am certainly not an expert scriptwriter I am getting very good at translating these ideas from my mind onto paper. This is something that I am actively pursuing as part of my university work. I have already done a Bachelors degree in Creative Studies for which I received a 2.1 Honours and now I am doing a Masters degree in Media Practice, the ultimate culmination of my work being a film about Aspergers Syndrome that I am currently working on. My university work is not without its share of challenges - recently, the pressure of my Masters has been getting to me quite a bit - but it nonetheless allows me to explore fields in which I am both gifted at and am extremely interested in, and will hopefully open doors for me to explore these fields when it comes to pursuing a career. I love writing film reviews. I love writing film scripts. I love making films. And I am good at all these things (not to mention also being quite good at photography and songwriting, among several other things) and hopefully one day I can put these abilities to use and become a success story of my own.

While my (extremely ambitious) long term goals do seem very much in reach, however, in the short term I continue to struggle with many of the difficulties that many Autistic people experience. Since starting university I may have become considerably more independent (before, apart from walking to school, I couldn't even leave the house on my own but now I can go many places on my own) but I am still not confident enough to live on my own - I still live with my parents - and I am finding myself more and more overwhelmed by the many responsibilities that adults face on a day to day basis. In fact, I frequently don't feel like I am an adult at all. I am 22 years old yet I often feel like I am only half that, like I am a child stuck in an adults body, or stuck in limbo somewhere between childhood and adulthood. When I am fully awake and everything is going right I can act and seem completely mature and you would be hard pressed to even realize that I am Autistic. When I am like this I am capable of so many things and my taste in things like films and music definitely reflects my mental state. You see, I probably have one of the most varied DVD collections you'd likely come across. I appreciate film as an art form with adult films such as 'Kill Bill', 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and 'The Bucket List' yet I also love popcorn blockbusters like 'Transformers', romantic comedies like '13 Going On 30' and kids stuff like 'Hannah Montana'.

This brings me to how I become when I am tired or stressed, which is quite frequently given the amount of daunting situations I face - even little things can make me anxious, such as something in my room not being in quite the right position or a slight disruption in my routine. I am currently experiencing some pretty big things that create stress and anxiety as well although I won't discuss these due to them being of a very personal nature. When I am tired or stressed I often find solace in embracing my more child like side. I collect soft toy pigs and cuddling them both calms me and makes me feel happier at times when I feel very depressed and, while many would consider me weird for doing such things, this is as much a part of me as my love for more serious cinema or my varied abilities. It gives me something to help me avoid feeling low due to the constant feelings of loneliness that I, and others like me, endure.

I am not very good at making friends, desiring social interaction more than anything but being completely clueless at it, part of the reason for this being the fact that most social interaction seems to involve going out at night to venues that are loud and crowded and getting drunk, all things that I loathe - I would rather stay at home and watch a film, I can't stand loud noise, I hate crowds and even though I do occasionally (and I mean occasionally) drink alcohol I despise the feeling of being drunk. What's more, all my life the only thing I have really wanted is a girlfriend, but I am even more clueless when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex. Every time I have ever liked has turned me into a nervous wreck and eventually has rejected me, something which has damaged my confidence considerably. Some people say that you should try being friends with a girl first but I find this just makes things much more difficult - after I've known a girl for a while I almost become too intimidated to show any interest, let alone consider making a move. And with the various quirks that come with my Autism I often wonder if there even is a girl who would ever be compatible with me in any way. For the time being I have simply stopped looking, putting my efforts into my studies, and hoping that I might meet that someone special when I least expect it.

This brings me to the purpose of this blog. Not long ago I came across an inspirational story about an Autistic couple who had found love and found a way to make their relationship work for them. The article gave me a sense of hope and joy and since then I have been scouring the internet, devouring any and every story of hope and inspiration about individuals on the Autistic Spectrum that I could find. And now I am going to bring these stories together in one place, so that other people who, like me, often feel lost in a world that frequently fails to understand us can experience the sense of hope that I now feel thanks to reading these inspirational stories. My hope is that just reading these may make others feel a bit better about themselves as they did me.

Robert Mann BA (Hons)