Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

This is the second recognition for the San Diego-produced short film, El Abuelo. The film tells the story of an autistic boy who befriends a migrant farm worker. Patrick Scott of Drama House Productions produced the film in association with San Diego State University film students.

El Abuelo, a film produced by San Diego - based Drama House Productions, has been accepted to the 2012 San Diego Latino Film Festival and will be shown on March 14 at 6 p.m. at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center. The short film was inspired by a couple who changed their lives for their autistic son. Patrick Scott, founder and executive producer of Drama House Productions, produced the film in San Diego in collaboration with students from San Diego State University and included San Diego-based actors. The film's trailer can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/38104584.

The film also recently won honorable mention in the L.A. Movie Awards.

"We are honored that El Abuelo is in the 2012 San Diego Latino Film Festival," states Scott. "This is one of the most celebrated festivals on the West Coast, and we are proud to participate in it."

Inspiration for all Drama House Production films, including El Abuelo, comes from a deep appreciation for family and the challenges families face in today's ever-changing times.

Scott was inspired to document the unique challenges of autism in El Abuelo after watching his friends raise their autistic son and the sacrifices, struggles and rewards they experienced.

According to Autism Speaks, autism affects one in 110 children, and there is no medical detection or cure for autism. Families must make significant accommodations to support children with this disease.

"I admire the courage of parents with autistic children," states Scott. "This film is truly heartfelt by all who participated in its making. "

El Abuelo chronicles the journey of Nick, an autistic boy who does not speak, who is befriended by an illegal Mexican laborer, El Abuelo. Over the course of the ensuing day and night, Nick will listen, watch and learn about lives very different from his own. He will come under the quiet spell of El Abuelo and at the end of the adventure, Nick will finally find his voice.
El Abuelo was produced, written, filmed and edited entirely in San Diego. Screenwriter Stephen Metcalfe ("Pretty Woman") participated in writing the script. Stephen Crutchfield, director of the film, used El Abuelo for his graduate degree thesis at SDSU. SDSU film students, led by Crutchfield and El Abuelo production designer Christopher Ward, researched north San Diego county immigrant life to reproduce the setting of the movie in Poway. The film also included shots from Rancho Bernardo, Solana Beach and the Del Mar Mesa Road area.
Actors Louie Olivos, Jr. (El Abuelo) and real life father and son Jonah and Fran Gercke (Nick and his father, Greg), prominent actors in San Diego theatre, star in the film that was shot in seven days. Also appearing in the film is Jessica John (Sara), a leading actress in San Diego theatre.

"We had about 35 people on the cast and crew of El Abuelo, of which the majority were students at the SDSU film school," continues Scott. "We are very proud of our film and the help it gave to students who are chasing their passion by advancing their education and their careers."

Resources:

www.dramahouseproductions.com
www.sdlatinofilm.com

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