Learning to Drive
A feisty young man with Down syndrome is determined to convince his scatterbrained brother to teach him how to drive.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Roderick E. Stevens II
Watch Learning to Drive here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Learning to Drive has been a passion project of mine for 20 years, having started life as a feature length screenplay in 1997, inspired by my brother Andy, who has Down syndrome. Among other things, my three primary goals with the project were to show a realistic character who just happens to have Down syndrome (meaning, it is not who he is), to make sure the story was told from his point of view and he was not just a supporting character, and to include humor and an uplifting tone in the film, so it is not just a heart-wrenching drama like so many we see when featuring a principal character with a disability (or ‘diff-ability’ as our star Connor Long prefers to call it).
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Honestly, the number one reason to watch this film is simply because it is entertaining! A core focus of ours was to show the audience a fun, broadly appealing film that just ‘happens’ to star someone with Down syndrome.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
While the film is called ‘Learning to Drive’, the real education is that of Red learning that his brother should so easily be dismissed. All too often, those with family members who have disabilities, in our drive to be protective, prevent our loved ones from learning their own capabilities and limits.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Learning to Drive started off as a feature length screenplay in 1997. This was condensed into a short script in 2013 which won two awards on its way to production. The short film was completed in 2016 and has gone on to win over a dozen awards at film festivals around the globe. The feature length screenplay has now gone through extensive re-writes and has been re-titled “River”. This screenplay has already been announced as a finalist in the first screenplay contest to which it was submitted. We are presently working with a producer and are seeking financing for the production budget.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Learning to Drive has won over a dozen awards at film festivals around the globe. Most importantly however, my favorite reviews have been those in which our embrace of Michael as a very real person are pointed out. Following are a couple of favorite excerpts from critic’s reviews:
“Stevens' script looks upward for its disability storyline rather than the usual condescending downward spiral filled with stereotypes and cutesy greeting card drivel. Learning to Drive is a "feel good" film, but not at the expense of Michael's dignity or in a way that lessens his individuality. Kudos to both Stevens and Long for getting both disability and ability right here.
Richard Propes - The Independent Critic
http://theindependentcritic.com/learning_to_drive/
“The film skilfully avoids old stereotypes of people with Down Syndrome, refusing a one-dimensional portrait of Michael, without falling into the trap of defining him as a new counter-stereotype, something we often see in such efforts to shape new representations;”
Alison Wilde - Disability Arts Online
http://disabilityarts.online/magazine/opinion/learning-drive-road-movie-difference/
Meanwhile, the project we’re looking to develop is the feature length screenplay, titled “River”, which involves the same characters in the same ‘universe’ as Learning to Drive, but a broader and much deeper story. That screenplay has only recently been completed and is a finalist in the first competition it’s been submitted to.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback thus far has reinforced my belief that audiences are ready to see a realistic portrayal of a lead character with an intellectual disability, in a fun and entertaining film, in which that disability does not necessarily take center stage.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope to reach a larger audience, to plant the seeds of interest in the forthcoming project.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message? We are looking for at least partial financing for “River”. We have some financing shaping up presently and at least two producers on board presently, but seek more. We are still in the development phase and hope to procure some sales estimates in the coming months, but estimate the production budget to be around $1mil.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I am excited to bridge the gap between audiences who simply want a fun, entertaining, enlightening film, and the disability community. I like to describe these projects (both the short film, Learning to Drive and the forthcoming feature, River) as fun movies that ‘just happen’ to star someone with Down syndrome.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I’m not sure I have an answer for this at the moment. :-o
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’ve spent the last year and a half working on re-writes of the feature length big-brother to Learning to Drive, called “River” about a feisty young man with Down syndrome, determined to get to the Grand Canyon in spite of his scatterbrained brother, a tenacious law man, an escaped convict, a runaway bride and Elvis Presley.
Interview: December 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Learning to Drive
A feisty young man with Down syndrome is determined to convince his scatterbrained brother to teach him how to drive.
Length: 27 min.
Director: Roderick E. Stevens II
Producer: Roderick E. Stevens II
Writer: Roderick E. Stevens II
About the writer, director and producer:
Key cast: Connor Long, Kevin Coubal, Nicole Carter-Lyde
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Learning to Drive is a short film, whose feature length, big-brother is the screenplay titled “River”, for which we are presently seeking financing and a producer.
Social media handles:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/learningtodrivemovie
Twitter: @LTDMovie
Instagram: learningtodrive
Pinterest: ltd_movie
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Learning to Drive is available on Bluray or DVD at http://www.learningtodrive-movie.com/Order.html, or streaming at Seed & Spark at https://www.seedandspark.com/watch/learning-to-drive