Gary Bulkin said students with autism see the world through a different lens. So does he.
A veteran filmmaker, Bulkin is currently in post production of the drama “The Other Room.” He called it a coming-of-age drama seen through the eyes of Austin, a 16-year-old high school boy with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.
Bulkin said he has been making films for more than 25 years. Right out of college he started making music videos and documentaries.
“Making movies has always been my passion, but only recently have I started to go in the narrative direction,” he said. “I’ve made documentaries and TV spots for a long time. I’m excited about the transition.”
Inspiration for Bulkin’s film came when he saw the play “The Other Room.” He said the thought-provoking story “blew him away.” He and playwright Aridne Blayde and they collaborated on a short film adaptation.
Four years later they are now close to wrapping the project.
Bulkin said his aim is to show how Austin’s mind works and to give a more nuanced perspective on the life of a student with Asperger syndrome.
He said the film explores the similarities between people rather than their differences.
“They just process things differently,” he said, “much like people from different cultures. Once you get past that you feel a lot closer to people with Aspergers.”
Bulkin collaborated with SWC Professor of Telemedia Mark Sisson, who produced the film.
Sisson spoke glowingly of Bulkin’s work.
“Gary has this interesting way of looking at the world,” he said. “He is always trying to assess what is happening from all the different perspectives and that ability really helped bring the character of Austin to life.”
Priscilla Cante, a telemedia student, worked on “The Other Room.”
“One day you’re in class hearing them teach and then you’re on a set and …really doing this stuff,” she said. “It helps bring to life all the stuff we talk about in class. Now that I’ve had some actual experiences making movies, my passion for it has really grown.”
Bulkin and Sisson were effusive in their praise of the SWC students. Bulkin said he was impressed student contributions.
“We had professional cinematographers there and sometimes they would let the students shoot the shot,” he said. “That is how much trust the crew had in the students and the students didn’t let them down.”
Sisson agreed.
“It really is a testament to our telemedia department that the students were able to step in and do the job,” he said. “They were very helpful and I think they also benefited a lot from the experience.”
Bulkin said he plans to debut the film at SWC.
“The movie isn’t fully done until I’m in the theatre with people watching it,” he said. “I hope most students here at the college get a chance to see it.”