The Aspire Project

The Aspire Project is a film project aimed at raising awareness of Asperger's Syndrome and highlighting other important issues such as bullying and lack of teacher training. The final outcome will be a full length film to be shown at film festivals across the UK. The film is intended to be shot mostly in the East of England some time in the next few months. The project is currently still in its very early stages and the full details of the storyline are yet to be decided. As the director and project manager, I hope to interview a large number of people with Asperger's/High Functioning Autism. I also welcome any skills, experience or ideas that anybody would like to contribute to the project. Ultimately, this will be a colaborative project produced by those affected by the condition. Every stage of the film-making process will be documented on-line.

At this stage, it is likely that the story will be about a 12 year old boy in mainstream education, with some form of hidden talent. My current ideas include setting the story in a school where few of the teachers have any knowledge of Asperger's and do not understand the pupil, blaming "lazyness" for many of his traits. I will also show a lack of action taken against bullies. Despite the failings of the school, there will be one teacher who understands the pupil and helps him to improve his skills. Through developing the skills the boy already has, it is discovered that the boy has a hidden talent. I hope to show all aspects of the condition, good and bad. I want the audience to feel frustrated about the boy's situation and to understand his point of view. I want to try to show people what it is actually like to have the condition, using analagies to try to explain the way some of us think.

How can you help?

Anybody can contribute to this project. I am particularly looking for the following people:
Interviewees to explain their experiences with AS/HFA.
Anybody with an interesting story or idea.
Anybody talented in the fields of music, graphic design, photography, filmmaking or animation.
Those based in the East of England who would like to help in actually producing the film.
Anybody with the means to advertise the project or bring it to the attention of film funding or distribution companies.

If you would like to help with the project, please email me at aspire@pk-productions.com. I promise to reply to every email.

P.S. My name is Paul Kemp, I am a 19 year old diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. My main obsessions are film-making, ASD's and anything technical. I have access to all of the equipment required to produce the film and I hope to obtain funding to pay for some of the props and locations. Thanks for reading!