Autism Success in Movie Industry

Joe Mantegna support speech during a Reel People event 11/2017 Los Angeles

Have you ever thought about the jobs it takes to make a movie.. the exact precision needed to pull focus, create accurate script notes, level the head on a tripod, set grip stands, make cable connections…the list goes on.

We funded our own program to instruct high functioning autistic young adults in the movie trades. We had done this program for several years for Veterans, but this was going to be different. What we didn’t realize, is that these kids were going to hit it out of the park. 10 weeks later, 75% of them were placed in paid production jobs. The tears and incredible joy from the kids and the parents was unbelievable.

We are ready to expand the program but need your help.
Please allow us to expand the program and turn lives around!


 REEL PEOPLE is a training and jobs program for young adults with Autism.

Its purpose is to help individuals with specific talents find a career in the movie and television trades.

The Reel People program is conducted in 3 phases.

·             Phase One:  12 weeks training including ascertaining the strengths, challenges and passions of each individual.  It is imperative that each person has the traits necessary to succeed in the entertainment production industry. The twelve weeks is working on all skills for the chosen department.

·             Phase Two:  Working on professional SAG productions which are conducted by LIMS. This training while working on strict scheduled productions helps to fine tune the skills and put them to work in real world applications. The productions are still conducted as training, so the pressure is mild.

·             Phase Three:  Working at a specific paid position on a movie or television production unrelated to Reel People or LIMS. Reel People provides a “Mentor Guide” to assist the trainee on the production so he or she does not feel completely alone.  The Mentor Guide helps with any questions, assists in social skills on the set and helps in any way needed.  This is at no cost to the production.

Reel People has already experienced great success with its trainees. 

Since its inception, the success rate has been 75% with trainees moving from beginning with no skills specific for the movie or television trades to job readiness and job placement.  We are confident that as the program grows, the success rate will only increase.

Young adults with Autism are a group that has specific strengths and passions that are a proven asset for working in the television and movie industries. We are proud to be providing an opportunity for an exciting and rewarding life-changing career.

These are people who already have the passion for film and television, this gives them an opportunity that many did not think could be available to them.

Founder Jimmy Lifton has over 40 projects under his belt since getting into the film and television industry dating back to the early 1980’s.  Lifton has won 5 Golden Reels and 2 Emmys for his contributions to projects such as   Kung Fu Panda and The Penguins of Madagascar.

MONEY USAGE

$100,000 is to train, mentor and place into paid jobs, 15 young adults with autisim. Training is for 10 weeks.

They then are paid to work on two 100% supervised productions.
After that, they are paid to work on two unsupervised productions, with an available mentor on set.

Training:  $75,000
Paid Jobs:  $18,000
Admin:  $7,000
Total:  $100,000