Hollywood Talent Brings Creative Vision to Autism Movie
Rene S. Duran is a documentary filmmaker who works in television post production in Los Angeles. He was co-producer, cinematographer and writer on STREET DOGS OF SOUTH CENTRAL, a documentary picked up for distribution by Lionsgate and scheduled to air on Animal Planet and the Oprah Winfrey network in 2012. Rene has also worked on television shows such as NANNY 911, HELL’S KITCHEN, THE BACHELOR, BIG IDEAS FOR A SMALL PLANET, and most recently with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Antony on Q’VIVA: the chosen. Rene majored in The Studies of Images & Narratives, a special studies major that he designed himself with his advisor at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster Pennsylvania.
We wanted you to get a chance to hear more from this talented visionary who shared this film experience as part of the crew as the Director of Photography for The United States of Autism Movie.
Question: Why did you become involved in the US of Autism film project?
Rene: I became involved with the US of Autism because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to capture the stories of families across America who experience autism on a daily basis & share their courage with the rest of the nation.
Having been friends with Rich & Sugey since the college days I was honored when they asked me to join the US of Autism team. I believe in them and was delighted to contribute in the making of the documentary film.
Question: What was the biggest thing you took away from being involved in the project?
Rene: The biggest thing I came away with from working on this project was being able to see the resilience and strength of the families who live with autism. I was inspired by them. They stand as a testament to what is good in humanity. It was such a wonderful experience to be invited into their homes & share their lives with us.
Question: Did you have any knowledge of autism and related conditions before becoming involved?
Rene: My first hand knowledge of autism came from being friends with Rich & Sugey & knowing their autistic son Tommy. My knowledge of autism came from watching Tommy grow up and knowing his story.
Question: What was a “typical” day like on the road with the crew?
Rene: While filming the US of Autism there were typically two types of days that the crew experienced. The first type was shooting days. On these days the crew would rise early in the morning, get ready, and drive to the location. I always looked forward to spending the day with the families.
The second type of day the crew experienced were driving days. We saw many beautiful and breathtaking sunsets as we drove west from Pennsylvania. At every state border the crew would stop and film themselves dancing in front of the state sign. It didn’t matter the time of day or night. The crew was determined to dance across America.
Question: What projects are you working on currently?
Rene: I am currently working as an editor the show Q’VIVA the chosen & am in preproduction on the first of three short films. I will be making fairy tales. The first is set in South Central Los Angels, the second is a love story in the desert, and the third will be shot in Mexico & explore indigenous folklore.
It was a privilege to work with Rene on this project. He played an enormous role in cementing the vision for this project–arduously working alongside Director/Producer Rich Everts. We are excited to share their vision with all of you soon!
US of Autism Film Submitted to TriBeCa Film Festival
The United States of Autism film has made its official submission to the first of many film festivals–the TriBeCa Film Festival in New York, NY.
If selected the film will be screened at the 11th Annual Tribeca Film Festival which will be held between April 18 – 29, 2012. This would be fantastic as it would be held during Autism Awareness Month!
Our whole team and the families involved are super excited to be one step closer towards getting the film out to all of you. Thanks for joining us in this amazing journey!
Final Day of 40 Day United States of Autism Movie Shoot
Today was the final day of shooting for the United States of Autism movie. We finished exactly where we started at a lonely Amtrak station in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After a few dawn shots, we were done and called it quits for these 40 days. All the rented equipment was packed and sent back, cars returned, and paperwork filed.
People often wonder what it’s like after finishing something this challenging and rewarding. For one, we can say that there is a mixture of relief and sadness. Relief that we know we’ve done the best we could, on the budget we had, with the best people possible. Sad because our team, who has traveled over 10,967 miles at final count, would say their final goodbyes.
To our crew, Rene, Cassandra and Rosleny, they’ve taken part in something special for families that they barely know. We know that they’ve touched all the lives of the families we met along the way, and have a special place in their hearts. For Rich and Sugey, they know that the next 9 – 12 months of post production will tell how well the art of the story is told.
We will be back to the Brewsters to film them later this month, and perhaps another guest star along the way, but for now, this our final moments of filming. For all of you who have followed us along the way, we are eternally grateful for your love and support, and at times for feeding a ravenous crew.
From here, we go into post-production of the editing room and sound booths for 9-12 months before a Spring/Summer 2011 release. Be sure to come back and check on our progress as we keep you updated every step of the way.
For one last time, from us to you, we love you all, and can’t wait to hear from you soon. God bless, and we’ll see you at the finish line.
-Rich
Day 39 of 40 Day United States of Autism Movie Shoot
Today we shot the ending of the movie, as well as interestingly enough some of the first scenes in the movie. It’s amazing how things come together in order to make a full length film. We took some footage of Rich arriving today, as well as Rich, Sugey and Tommy at parks, walking, and a host of other things to finish the threads running throughout the story. It was exciting as it was the first time Tommy had used an iPad, so the day went really well.
During the evening, the crew got together for a dinner to receive some gifts from Rich and Sugey, mostly souvenirs from places they didn’t have time to stop for on their 18 and 20 hour days.
Tomorrow is the last day of the shoot, starting at 5 am at the local Amtrak station. Until then, we love you all and can’t wait to hear from you soon!
Day 38 of 40 Day United States of Autism Movie Shoot
Today, we left for our final destination in Lancaster, Pennsylvania after our journey across the country, making two quick stops on the way back. First, we stopped by Rich’s grandmother’s house to shoot some quick b-roll of Rich’s early life and where he got started. His grandmother Helen, a spry old lady at nearly 80, was more than happy to help the crew around the house and shoot some footage. It was a relaxing time for everyone, and of course, we were sent off with some nice tea.
Next, the crew went to see Rich’s father, who he’s only seen a handful of times his entire life. It was a pretty emotional time, but his father was more than willing to be on camera and the story will benefit greatly from the footage and the time spent there.
Finally, the crew made it’s way back to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We had our last dinner together as a crew only event at a local Japanese steakhouse, one of our favorite spots along the entire journey. Once the crew arrived at Rich’s house, we quickly said hello, unpacked the car, had our sparkler party, and got everyone to where the needed to go at the end of the day. Rosleny was off to her boyfriend’s house until the shoot tomorrow. Cassie went to her hotel. Rene got his stuff together at Rich’s place, and Rich got all of his things back into the house.
It was a truly reflective moment unpacking the vehicle, and the crew was both relieved and sad to see the time come to an end. Kind of like Frodo and the Fellowship, though you are tired and ready for rest after a long battle with a slew of challenges, at some point the journey must come to an end and you are sad to see your team move it’s own ways. For us, though we have two days left of shooting, it’s the last time we will all be traveling all together in our little minivan roaming like gypsies to our next destination. Soon, there will be time to recount what we’ve done. For now, we’re focused on tomorrow’s shoot.
Be sure to check out our visit to Albany yesterday on YNN news. Until then, we love you all, and can’t wait to hear from you soon!