A STUDY GUIDE BY MARGUERITE O’HARA
www.metromagazine.com.au
www.theeducationshop.com.au THE BLACK BALLOON
Introduction wooden spoon and wailing on the front lawn. Charlie doesn’t The Black Balloon (Elissa Down, speak. He’s autistic and has 2007) is an Australian film ADD. He’s also unpredictable, about a family dealing with the sometimes unmanageable, and day-to-day challenges of living often disgusting. Thomas hates with an autistic son. Charlie his brother but wishes he didn’t. is seventeen and presents all kinds of embarrassing The Mollisons are an army situations for Thomas, his 15 family; but it’s not what you’d (going on 16)-year-old brother. call a regimented life, or even The film deals with a number a regular household. Thomas’s It’s hard to of issues about family life and cricket-obsessed father, Simon, the difficulties, challenges and talks to his teddy. Simon and fit in, when rewards faced by families in Maggie are openly intimate, and which one of the members has now Maggie is going to have you’re the a disability. another baby. The warmth, humour, love and One morning, the semi-naked generosity of the Mollison family Charlie escapes the house odd one out. makes for a very engaging film and leads Thomas on a chase that is neither sentimental nor across the neighbourhood. grim in its depiction of growing Charlie bursts into a stranger’s up with a family member with house to use the toilet; and autism. It is an inspiring story Thomas finds himself face to about the power of love, family face with Jackie Masters, his and friendship. gawky but fascinating new classmate. The trouble is she’s Synopsis in the shower. It’s not easy being Thomas. Maggie has complications with He’s turning sixteen and her pregnancy and becomes moving into a new house – bedridden. Thomas and Simon and school. His older brother between them take on Charlie’s Charlie announces their arrival daily routine and Thomas to the neighbours by banging a
SCREEN EDUCATION 2 experiences the less savoury aspects of coping with his brother. What he didn’t bargain for was the shit-smearing, THE BLACK BALLOON shopping centre tantrums, and riding in the Autistic School bus. It’s sink or swim, and Thomas is above all enjoyable. The soundtrack incorporates a number of popular songs, drowning. Students may recognize including The Screaming Jets’ The truth is he is – literally. several of the actors in the film @"ETTER AND .EIL &INNS CLASSIC The school swimming lessons who include Rhys Wakefield @&ALL AT YOUR &EET are a nightmare, because (Thomas), who plays Lucas Thomas has never got beyond in Home and Away; Gemma Using The Black doggie paddle. Then Thomas Ward (Jackie), a successful Balloon in the is partnered with Jackie for young Australian model with basic life-saving; and Jackie an international career; Toni classroom swims like a fish. It’s only when Collette (Maggie), from Muriel’s Before watching the film they get to mouth-to-mouth Wedding (P.J. Hogan, 1994), s 7HAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT resuscitation that things pick Japanese Story (Sue Brooks, Autism spectrum disorders? up and young love blossoms 2003), Little Miss Sunshine Brainstorm ideas and share between the two – well, *ONATHAN $AYTON 6ALERIE them with your class. three, because Charlie is also &ARIS AND MANY OTHER entranced by the pretty girl. feature films; Erik Thomson s (AVE YOU WATCHED ANY lLMS (Simon), from All Saints, or documentaries, or read Thomas’s sixteenth birthday Wildside, MDA, and Somersault any books, where there is a dinner turns into a nightmare. (Cate Shortland, 2004) and character with some form of Pent-up frustrations about his ,UKE &ORD #HARLIE FROM Kokoda autism? brother pour out that are both (Alister Grierson, 2006), All confronting and ultimately Saints and McLeod’s Daughters. heart-warming. Curriculum Relevance The Black Balloon would be an excellent classroom resource for middle and senior secondary students of: s %NGLISH s 3OCIETY AND %NVIRONMENT (SOSE/HSIE) s 6ALUES %DUCATION s 2ELIGION AND 3OCIETY s 0ERSONAL $EVELOPMENT s -EDIA AND &ILM 3TUDIES It represents issues about growing up, dealing with disappointments and becoming resilient, in a unique and engaging way. Students should find it truthful and inspiring, but
SCREEN EDUCATION 3 s 7HAT ARE SOME OF THE stereotypical attitudes people have towards those with some form of disability? THE BLACK BALLOON s $ESCRIBE SOME OF THE DAY to-day demands on families your friends. Gemma Ward – Jackie Masters, providing care for a disabled Thomas’ girlfriend. family member. s 7HAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST difficult aspects of moving s 7HAT KIND OF RESPITE OR Filmmakers house and changing schools? break from 24-hour caring is Elissa Down co-wrote and available for people in these Cast and Crew directed The Black Balloon. situations? Main characters Here is an excerpt from her s (OW DO YOU THINK LIVING WITH A director’s statement where she Rhys Wakefield – Thomas disabled brother or sister can talks about the inspiration for Mollison, 15-year-old son of enrich peoples’ lives? the film: Maggie and Simon, younger The Black Balloon is a s )N WHAT WAYS MIGHT brother of Charlie. everyone’s social and work ‘dramedy’ inspired by my own ,UKE &ORD n #HARLIE -OLLISON activities be limited through family – growing up within its 17-year-old son of Maggie and their responsibilities of caring warm and wacky walls. I have Simon, older brother of Thomas. for a dependent family two brothers with autism. member? Erik Thomson – Simon Mollison, My father was in the army father. so we had to move across s $ESCRIBE A TIME WHEN the country and fit into new Toni Collette – Maggie Mollison, your parents’ behaviour neighbourhoods, new schools embarrassed you in front of mother.
SCREEN EDUCATION 4 and new groups of friends. The character of Charlie is based on my youngest brother THE BLACK BALLOON Sean who has autism, ADHD, and is an elective mute. As in the film, he did run into other Tristram Miall – producer. Hutchence (2005), Kanyini people’s houses and use the Tristram has produced many (Melanie Hogan, 2006) and toilet; he threw public tantrums documentaries and feature Naked on the Inside (Kim and liked playing with his own films, including Strictly Ballroom &ARRANT poo! The main heart of the (Baz Luhrmann, 1992), Looking film is to reflect my experience Nicholas McCallum – for Alibrandi (Kate Woods, growing up. What it is like to be production designer. Credits 2000) and Children of the a sibling: frustrating, upsetting include Kokoda, Gettin’ Square Revolution (Peter Duncan, and embarrassing but also (Jonathan Teplitzky, 2003), 1996). Documentaries include funny, uplifting and joyful. Travelling North (Carl Schultz, Cane Toads (Mark Lewis, 1988), 1987), Bodyline and Razorback Down has made a number Bingo, Bridesmaids and Braces (Russell Mulcahy, 1984). of films, including: Ladybirds (Gillian Armstrong, 1988) and (2005), Summer Angst (2004), Gumshoe (Malcolm McDonald, 6ERONICA *ENET !3% n EDITOR The Cherry Orchard (2003), Her 1992). Nominated for an Academy Outback (2002), The Bathers !WARD 6ERONICAS CREDITS Denson Baker ACS – (2003), HMAS Unicorn (2001), include Bastard Boys, Love’s cinematographer. Apart from Samantha Stewart, Aged 14 Brother (Jan Sardi, 2004), his work on a number of music (2000) and Pink Pyjamas (2001). 2ABBIT 0ROOF &ENCE 0HILLIP videos and commercials, Noyce, 2002), Holy Smoke Jimmy Jack (a.k.a. Jimmy Denson has shot Deck Dogz (Jane Campion, 1999), The the Exploder) – co-writer and (Steve Pasvolsky, 2005), The Portrait of a Lady (Jane co-producer of the film. Life and Times of Michael
SCREEN EDUCATION 5 Campion, 1996), The Piano (Jane Campion, 1993) and Sweetie (Jane Campion, 1989). THE BLACK BALLOON Michael Yezerski – composer. Apart from composing the score for this film, he provided the above characteristics and mathematics or have artistic additional music for Kenny behaviours. Approximately 1 in abilities or special gifts in (Clayton Jacobson, 2006) 400 children are diagnosed with particular areas such as working and Suburban Mayhem (Paul this disorder, generally before with animals. Asperger’s Goldman, 2006). the age of three, and three out syndrome (AS) is the term often About Autism of four of those diagnosed are used to characterize high- Autism is a disorder males. The reasons for this functioning autistic people. characterized by developmental are unclear. Treatments are The sites listed here provide delay. It is generally described evolving and generally involve information about autism and as a ‘spectrum’. This term specialized early intervention are clearly indexed with many means that there are different and management. useful links: kinds of autism and not one Some autistic people are SCREEN EDUCATION 6 htm/spectrum/faq.htm> In addition, the second listed website provides a number of THE BLACK BALLOON ANSWERS TO &REQUENTLY !SKED Questions about autism. Representations of autism Tom Cruise as brothers. Each is activities and challenges like in film and literature a story about an individual with Christopher Boone in Haddon’s Writers and filmmakers have Asperger’s syndrome, a type of novel, nor a ‘savant’ like represented autism through a autism, represented in a way Raymond Babbit in Rain Man, range of characters in films and that makes the central character with a phenomenal memory books. Such popular portrayals a kind of heroic eccentric. The for counting cards. The Black both inform and define public autistic character is shown as Balloon is not so much a ‘warts views about disabilities like ‘otherworldly’, living in his own and all’ story as a ‘warts, tears autism, but how far do they private and unknowable world. and smiles’ film that deals really represent the complex Other films dealing with autism compassionately with how a realities of living with autism for include Mercury Rising (Harold family lives with the challenges families and individuals? Becker, 1998), Mask (Peter of bringing up two sons, one of Bogdanovich, 1985) and Molly whom has a disability. Some students may be familiar (John Duigan, 1998). with Mark Haddon’s novel, The Student Activity – Curious Incident of the Dog in The Black Balloon is different close viewing the Night-Time, set for study as it looks steadily at a family Before you watch The Black on many English courses, or living each day with an autistic Balloon, divide your class into perhaps have seen Rain Man teenager. Charlie is neither a five groups. Each group could (Barry Levinson, 1988), a film high-functioning Asperger’s focus their attention on one starring Dustin Hoffman and sufferer who initiates his own SCREEN EDUCATION 7 of the five main characters: Thomas, Charlie, Maggie, Simon and Jackie. Your task is to put yourself in their shoes, THE BLACK BALLOON as far as this is possible. This will make it easier to talk and write about the film after you have watched it. Read through the questions below (2. The &AMILY $YNAMIC RELATING TO your chosen character before watching the film. After watching the film There is a lot going on in this film so it might be easiest to look at the story under several headings as a way of organizing your responses. 1. Representing the family and their world diagrammatically. Before looking more closely at the characters, construct A 6ENN DIAGRAM USING appropriate software, to represent how different a. Being Thomas Charlie is always going to members of the Mollison behave in ways that are not Put yourself in Thomas’ position family are both connected and regarded as ‘normal’ because and describe some of the disconnected from their local of his disability? incidents shown in the film that community. Start with a circle he finds particularly difficult. s %VERYONES FAMILY CAN BE with Maggie, Simon, Charlie Here are some ideas to get you embarrassing sometimes. and Thomas inside it and started: What do Thomas’ parents show how other groups and do and say that he finds individuals overlap with their s (OW ARE THE DIFlCULTIES embarrassing? lives. You might like to choose about moving to a new colours to show both negative neighbourhood and a new s $ESCRIBE THREE SCENES IN and positive interactions. school shown? the film that show Thomas sharing his life with Charlie. 2. The family dynamic s %XPLAIN HOW SOME OF THE really gross things Charlie b. Being Charlie Simon, Maggie, Charlie and does affect Thomas, e.g. Thomas are a close-knit family It is difficult for anyone to running into Jackie’s house, unit, soon to be added to by know what it is like being poo smearing, supermarket the child Maggie is carrying. disabled when they’re not, tantrum, masturbating in front However, as in all families, but it’s important to at least of Jackie at the birthday tea, there are tensions, some of try to develop an empathetic trying to eat Jackie’s tampon, them a result of Thomas’s understanding of how life is for spitting at people. conflicted feelings about Charlie. s 7HO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HELP living with Charlie and the s %XPLAIN WHEN #HARLIE SEEMS difficulties this creates. Thomas to understand that SCREEN EDUCATION 8 to be calm and happy, part of both his own and his family’s world. THE BLACK BALLOON s 7HAT ACTIVITIES GIVE HIM pleasure and a sense of achievement? live with us for the rest of his old disabled son place on her s 7HAT SITUATIONS DOES #HARLIE life’. What does this tell us time and energy? find especially difficult to and Thomas about the reality s )S SHE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY respond to without becoming of being Charlie? juggle the demands of her distressed? c. Being Maggie family with her own needs for s (OW DO WE KNOW HOW #HARLIE time and rest? Maggie is in the final stages of is feeling? pregnancy and has developed s 7HAT SLIGHTLY UNUSUAL s 'IVEN #HARLIES LIMITED pre-eclampsia, a condition that significance does ‘bathtime’ capacity to communicate can develop in late pregnancy, have in this family? through speech, what are his characterized by high blood d. Being Simon main ways of communicating pressure and other symptoms. his feelings? It can put both the safety of the s 7HAT QUALITIES IN 3IMON MIGHT be seen as a bit eccentric but s 7HAT ARE SOME OF #HARLIES mother and baby at risk and also quite endearing? achievements in the film? requires rest and care. s 7HAT SKILLS DOES HE s (OW IS HE SHOWN TO HAVE s (OW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE demonstrate as a father feelings of sorrow and Maggie’s personality? and minder when Maggie is affection for his family? s (OW IS HER LOVE FOR HER SONS hospitalized? s !FTER THE POO INCIDENT -AGGIE expressed in the film? s $O YOU THINK HE PLACES TOO says to Thomas, ‘Your brother s (OW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HER much responsibility and will never be able to do the marriage to Simon? expectations on Thomas in things you can do. He’ll never s 7HAT PARTICULAR DEMANDS caring for Charlie? have a job or a family; he’ll might caring for an 18-year- SCREEN EDUCATION 9 s )N WHAT WAYS DOES 3IMON embarrass Thomas? s 7HEN 4HOMAS ASKS HIS FATHER THE BLACK BALLOON if he ever wished Charlie was normal, Simon says, ‘your mother thinks we got Charlie is first of all a friend to Thomas Mollison family? because we’re capable … and Charlie Mollison. strong enough to deal with s 7HAT DOES HER BIRTHDAY it. All I know is he’s my own’. s 7HAT IS IT IN *ACKIES present to Thomas show us What does this answer tell us friendship with Thomas about her feelings for him? that helps him to accept his about Simon’s approach to s (OW DOES THE SCENE WHERE brother? life? the three of them are in army s (OW DOES HE REACT TO THE s (OW DOES SHE ENCOURAGE bushland during the storm Department of Community Thomas to include Charlie in both advance the romance Services visiting the house? their life and daily activities? and intensify the friendship between the three main s 7HAT ASPECTS OF HIS s )N WHAT WAYS DOES HER characters? personality reflect his army attraction to Thomas make work? his life at school less difficult, s 7HAT DOES HER RESPONSE particularly in relation to the to the Afloat concert show e. Being Jackie other students? us about her increasing While many students would closeness with the Mollisons? s @%ASY FOR YOU TO SAY HES NOT no doubt like to have Gemma your brother’, says Thomas 3. Outsiders – Ward, the beautiful girl who to Jackie. How does she peer pressures, neighbours plays Jackie in the film, as a respond? girlfriend living round the corner There are a number of other and teaching them to swim, she s 7HAT DOES SHE LIKE ABOUT THE people in this film, some of whom spy, jeer, stare, are annoyed by, and sometimes interact with, Charlie and his family. a. Which of the non-family members in the film demonstrate decent concern and care for Charlie and Thomas? b. Describe some of the ignorant teasing, mimicking and jeering of Charlie and his schoolmates that we see in the film? What does this suggest about peer pressure? c. How do the Mollisons’ neighbours react to them, and particularly to Charlie and his unusual behaviour? Put yourself in the position of the next door neighbour, SCREEN EDUCATION 10 who contacts community services, and try and understand what it is like for her to live with the banging THE BLACK BALLOON and shouting coming from the Mollison house. You may have experienced noisy some of the things in the film ➢ Your mother thinks we neighbours yourself and that might identify whether it got Charlie because we’re know how annoying they is set in the 1980s, 1990s or capable … strong enough to can be! 2000s. (Don’t assume people deal with it. DONT STILL DRIVE 6ALIANT d. How do people outside the ➢ All I know is he’s my own. cars.) Consider the music, the immediate family help in his television, Nintendo® Games, ➢ We’ve received complaints care? bikes and how people dress, about one of your children e. Did you find the behaviour as well as the social attitudes … persistent fighting. displayed by Thomas’ shown in the film. ➢ That’s what it’s like for my classmates to be an s $ISCUSS WHAT YOU THINK THE brother. Not just what he accurate reflection of how title of the film might refer to. can see. It’s what he hears. disability and difference is A black balloon does appear What he thinks. Everything. I treated? when the film titles are on think it’s all fuzzy. f. How can people become screen early in the film. What ➢ You have to stop wishing better educated about does a black balloon suggest Charlie was normal. He’s responding to and to you? never going to change. accepting the often ➢ unpredictable behaviour Student Activity – It’s not fair, is it mate. of autistic people and Key Scenes and ➢ You scared the shit out of those with other forms of quotes me … I fucked up. intellectual disability? s )DENTIFY AT LEAST THREE SCENES ➢ You just pissed on my leg. g. Why do you think many you think are particularly Director’s Statement. families are reluctant to important in the film, e.g. the Elissa Down talks about casting place their disabled children final scene with Charlie and and preparing for the film shoot: in the care of others, even Thomas together in the bath. for short periods of time? Because of the character s %XPLAIN TO MEMBERS OF YOUR nature of the script, casting h. Many disabled students class, or in small groups, was paramount. Toni Collette now attend mainstream why you think one of these was the first choice for the role schools. Should (and could) scenes works well, and why it of Maggie. She has a warmth, students with special needs is central to the development humour and strength, all like Charlie be integrated of the story. Explain how it essential to capture the qualities into schools? illustrates the central issue of the Mollison matriarch. 4. Time, place and title and advances the story. I previously worked with While The Black Balloon is a film Quotes Gemma Ward on one of my about a timeless and universal Who says the following and in shorts, Pink Pyjamas. When subject, when and where is it what context. What does each writing the film, Gemma was in set? one reveal about the speaker? our minds for the character of s 7HAT CLUES ARE THERE IN THE ➢ He’s not my responsibility … Jackie. Despite her high status film that might indicate the he’s a freak … I don’t want in the fashion world, Gemma is time and place when the story anything to do with him. a bit of a clown and a tomboy, takes place? Make a list of and was very enthusiastic about SCREEN EDUCATION 11 the script and came attached to the project, following a successful screen test whilst we were still in development. THE BLACK BALLOON For the roles of the two brothers, casting director, Nikki ‘You have to stop wishing Barrett started our search. Luke Ford was the second actor who auditioned for the Charlie was normal. He’s role of Charlie. In the first five seconds of seeing him, we never going to change.’ knew we had found him. Luke did a phenomenal amount of research for this role. He would strap his knees and arms to achieve the level of stiffness in his movements. He spent days hanging out with my brother and spent hours upon hours taping himself doing basic things in character like watching television and eating. Rhys Wakefield almost fell into the role of Thomas. He rushed in on his day off from Home and Away and thought he had little chance. We were struck by his boyishness, sensitivity and quiet dignity. Luke and Rhys had an instant connection as brothers. And I knew he had the spunk to pair up well with Gemma. We were so lucky because within a few weeks we had four of our mains finalized. The casting of Simon took longer than expected. Erik Thomson impressed us with his ability to physicalise the character and balance Simon’s playful side with his occupation as a soldier. Being such a performance orientated film, having four weeks rehearsals with as much as possible on location, was so important. One of the rehearsal exercises for Rhys SCREEN EDUCATION 12 and Luke was to go out in public as Thomas and Charlie to feel first hand what it is like to have autism and be a sibling THE BLACK BALLOON of someone with special needs. They experienced the stares, the remarks, the ignorance or the looks of sympathy from people from all walks of life. Toni learned Makaton signing, Erik did combat style training and Gemma perfected swimming tricks and embraced singing badly! The Black Balloon was a location-based film and on our first location scout we found the perfect house. As fate would have it, it was on the street I first lived on as a child. We originally wanted ‘Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser’ from Cats for the musical number to end the film but that was too costly. We came ‘Driving Wheels’ and The generally determines our up with the concept inspired Screaming Jets’ ‘Better’. The response to a film. songs that the ‘audience hear’ [by] Noah’s Ark, Afloat!, which s 7HAT DID YOU THINK OF THE are new material like ‘Beautiful allowed us to keep the idea of a film? pair of animals on stage. Enter Days’ sung by Josh Pyke, ‘Even’ s (OW WELL DO ALL THE ELEMENTS composer Michael Yezerski sung by Simon Day and a cover come together? who went away and wrote of Crowded House’s ‘Fall at ‘The Greatest!’ our Broadway- your feet’ by Glenn Richards of s 7HO IS THE PERSON WHOSE inspired closing song. In Afloat!, Augie March fame. job it is to oversee all the both actors and children Student Activity – elements that make up the and teenagers with autism film? performed. We used many of looking at how the Script: How important is the siblings of the performers film is put together dialogue and the way people with autism to support and Just as a novel has its own talk in conveying the mood share the experience of being in style, using words to develop and tone of this film? Do the a film together. characters and present a story, filmmakers employ other The ethos behind the musical so too does a film have its non-verbal ways to convey backdrop of the film was to be own elements that combine to meaning? Are silences and a combination of score, music convey a story in a particular gestures part of scripting? from the nineties and original style. How well elements Narrative structure: &ROM music. All the music that the such as script, narrative whose perspective is the story characters in the film hear are structure, performances, told and over what time frame from the era and are songs I editing, soundtrack, setting does the story we see take knew and loved like Ratcat’s and cinematography (how the place? Does it move between ‘Don’t go now’, Jimmy Barnes’ story is filmed) come together, SCREEN EDUCATION 13 different narrative perspectives? Performances: How dependent is a film like this (with a relatively THE BLACK BALLOON small ensemble cast) on all the actors playing their parts as closely-linked individuals able to extreme close-ups used? Is b. Best actress in a demonstrate their own concerns there any evidence of hand- leading role in concert with others? Which held camera shots? What is part do you think would be most c. Best supporting actor the difference in the interior difficult to play convincingly? and exterior shots where the d. Best supporting actress With which character did you outside world is contrasted with identify most closely? s 3ELECT AN APPROPRIATE CLIP the closeness of family life in from a scene in the film Editing: In what order are the house? Does the weather that best demonstrates scenes and sequences play any part in heightening the strength of the actor or presented and for how long? emotional responses to actress’ performance. Are there patterns apparent in situations in some scenes? the way scenes are sequenced? s 7RITE A SHORT SPEECH TO BE The Awards Ceremony E.g. are high tension emotional given by the awards presenter scenes followed by calmer, Imagine The Black Balloon has describing the main strengths more reflective moments that been nominated for a number of of the winning performance. serve to dissipate tensions awards at an annual film awards Now select from a number of and show different emotions? ceremony. You can find a list other possible awards for which How does the editing make of the cast and crew of the film the film has been nominated. connections apparent between earlier in this guide. These could be; one scene and the next? s #HOOSE THE PERSON YOU Production Designer – Soundtrack: How effective is think should receive an responsibility for the look and the placement of popular songs award in one of the following ‘feel’ of the film. Do the settings, in establishing and reflecting categories: furnishings, clothes and all the different moods? What part do a. Best actor in a leading role other objects and places in the the repetitive noises made by Charlie (particularly his tapping and vocalizing) play in the film? How are the sounds of suburban family life integrated into the soundtrack? Setting: There are some indicators of the time and place in which the story is set. How important are they to shaping our understanding of this family’s life? Is the story shown to be both timeless and universal and is the suburban Australian setting an important aspect in shaping our responses? Cinematography: How is the story filmed? How often are SCREEN EDUCATION 14 film feel right? Does the time and place in which it is set look accurate and believable? THE BLACK BALLOON Editor – the way scenes are sequenced and how the narrative is structured Further Activities MALICE &EAR AND AGGRESSION Director – overall conception are often prompted by a lack and management in combining Teachers and students could of understanding. Imagine all the elements, such as select from the following that following the incident camerawork, characterization, activities to extend their outside the school where scripting and style. understanding of The Black Charlie becomes upset by Balloon. Use the same procedure as you the shouting of other people, did for best performances in 1. Talking about living with a Thomas is asked by the Phys choosing a clip and preparing disabled family member. Ed teacher to give a talk to his class about what it is like the notes for the awards Many people’s responses to to be part of Charlie’s family. presenter. disabled people are the result of ignorance rather than s 'IVE THE TALK 4HOMAS prepares, including some background information about autism as well as anecdotal accounts of what it is like being part of Charlie’s family. Include all the positive things about being Charlie’s brother as well as the really gross bits. OR s 'IVE A TALK ABOUT YOUR own experiences living with a family member with a disability or chronic illness, such as a parent or a sibling. Explain the type of disability or illness and describe the different demands this places on you as a carer. 2. Create a mural or collage of objects, photos and images for Charlie’s bedroom that includes some of the things that might interest him e.g. cars, stars and hats, television characters, monkey ears, family photos, friends and pictures of places he is familiar with. SCREEN EDUCATION 15 3. Promotion and marketing are crucial to the success of any film. Prepare a short promotional film in a THE BLACK BALLOON storyboard format for The Black Balloon. Select a number of clips and images exotic, freakish or pitiable. shorthand to characterize from the film that give as This film is different as it looks people whose appearance complete a sense as possible directly at the complexities of and behaviour is different to of both the story and how it is family life with humour and our own. compassion and without any told in the film. a. What are the damaging sentimentality. OR connotations of such Discuss this assessment of language, both to Design a billboard style the film. individuals and those who poster with an image 5. The language of disability. use it? and a brief tagline that How we characterize people best promotes the film. b. How could being able to and introduce them can Decide where it should ‘sign’, as Jackie learns in determine how they are appear—newspapers, the film, be a huge step perceived. Everyone is more online, billboards, buses and in listening to and talking than their disability or illness, trams, television, cinemas, with people who cannot just as everybody has an magazines etc. communicate easily identity independent of their through speaking? 4. The Black Balloon is a job or position in a family. courageous film about a The ignorant, inaccurate and c. Research one of the subject that is sometimes hurtful use of the blanket signing languages such as treated far less realistically in term ‘spaz’ is used, both in Makaton and learn several some films, where disabled this film and more broadly of the signs. people may be presented as in society, as a disparaging SCREEN EDUCATION 16 6. Discuss how you and your classmates could include students from a local school catering to special THE BLACK BALLOON needs students on a school excursion or outing such as a barbecue or coastal If this is true, why are so few References people prepared to give their walk or visit to an aquarium. http://www.autismvictoria.org. time to others who need You would need to do this au in consultation with the both company and access teachers from the school to experiences most people Site offering clear and accurate who will know what sort of take for granted? information about autism spectrum disorder activities would be most 8. Research autism on the enjoyable and positive for internet and prepare a report http://www.aspect.org.au the students. Write a letter of of no more than 500 words Autism Spectrum Australia invitation to the school and outlining what it is, the (ASPECT) the students inviting them to incidence of sufferers, how it join you. is diagnosed and how current http://www.autismhelp.info/htm/ spectrum/faq.htm 7. Spending time with elderly, theory believes this condition disabled or other people can be best managed. Web site offering answers to whose lives are restricted Present your findings to your &!1S ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM and limited because of their class. You could use the disorder web sites listed under the age or disability offers greater http://www.case.edu/affil/sce/ section About Autism earlier rewards for the helpers than Texts_2005/Autism%20and%20 in this guide to gather this it does for the people they Representation%20Baker.htm spend time with. information. Paper exploring how autism spectrum disorders have been represented in films, written by a parent of an autistic child. SCREEN EDUCATION 17 THE BLACK BALLOON (All websites accessed 10 Frank and Daz Take on the phenomenal memory. December 2007) World (Judy Rhymer, 2007) a Mark Haddon, The Curious documentary film about friends Other films and books Incident of the Dog in the Night- &RANK AND $ARYL $ARYL HAS dealing with disability, Time &ICKLING "OOKS cerebral palsy and enormous families and friendship This is a story about a boy with determination. He runs in Asperger’s syndrome, written from My Brother Vinnie (Steven marathons. (ATOM study guide his perspective on the world. McGregor, 2006) a 24-minute available) documentary about actor Aaron Marguerite O’Hara is a freelance Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988), 0EDERSEN AND HIS BROTHER 6INNIE WRITER FROM -ELBOURNE s a feature film starring Dustin who has cerebral palsy and an Hoffman as an autistic man with intellectual disability. (ATOM study extraordinary abilities and a guide available) This study guide was produced by ATOM © ATOM 2008 [email protected] &OR MORE INFORMATION ON SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other free study guides, visit &OR HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES ON &ILM AS 4EXT 3CREEN ,ITERACY -ULTILITERACY AND -EDIA 3TUDIES visit Notice: An educational institution may make copies of all or part of this study guide, provided that it only makes and uses copies as reasonably required for its own educational, non-commercial, classroom purposes and does not sell or lend such copies. SCREEN EDUCATION 18