Help Tony go to Film School

This is Tony Mercurio.  Tony is sweet, kind and intelligent, and has a sense of humor drier than dust.  Tony also has autism.  We are Team Mercurion, a team of people who have the immense joy of working with, living with, and learning from Tony everyday.  

For the last nine years, the desire of Tony's heart has been to learn about film production by going to schools and workshops for people with Autism, and by gaining valuable work experience interning at interning at community radio and television stations, production houses, and VFX and editing studios.  All of us at Team Mercurion feel Tony has a talent for this kind of work, and has the desire to reach his goal.  In the 9 years since he originally decided to become a filmmaker, he has taught himself many editing, screenwriting, and special effects skills.  You can see many examples of his current work by visiting his YouTube Channel.  He has also worked extremely hard to overcome a variety of developmental and behavioral challenges brought on by autism. As a result of his hard work, Tony was recently invited to apply for Summer Workshop attendance at Exceptional Minds, a world renowned school and studio that boasts a 60% employment rate for its graduates in places such as Nickelodeon Studios, Warner Bros., and Lucasfilm.   According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 17.8% of disabled citizens in the U.S. are employed even part-time.  For people with disabilities, that low employment rate can foster a lifetime of dependence on social services they probably don't want to have to depend on.  Tony does not want to be dependent on the state to provide his care.  He wants to make movies, make money, get married, and have his own place.

Tony's education and career training comes at a significant cost to him and his family, as few of the things he needs to begin this journey are covered by social services.  He needs a new computer to be able to learn the Adobe Creative Suite ($360) before he starts school ($1,300.00).  Tuition for schools like Exceptional Minds is not covered by FAFSA, and payment in full is required up-front before a student can even be considered for financial assistance in the future ($3000). Tony, his mom, and his service dog Nonna will need to stay near Exceptional Minds for the four weeks he'll be working there this summer ($2,000), and will eventually need to relocate to be closer to appropriate sources of school and work for Tony (unknown).  Tony's mom will also be unable to work for the four weeks Tony is at Exceptional Minds this summer.  

So, we are asking for your help.  We truly believe that through these programs, Tony has a good shot at developing the kinds of skills he needs to become a somewhat independent working adult.  We believe that Tony's work will provide a benefit to society in that he will have reduced reliance on social programs and be able to create art the whole world can enjoy.  

Would you please help Tony get the chance he needs?

Thank you,

Team Mercurion