Autism Artist's Dream Project
Donation protected
About Anthony and the Artistic Guardian
Anthony aka "Antonio" was diagnosed as high functioning autistic/Aspergers early in his life. He attended school in classes with modified curriculums. Though many of the more widely recognized signs of autism have subsided, Antonio has continued to wage a steady, but successful battle against a language processing challenge. So what we have now is a young man who is brilliant in creative respects, as you will see in the video for his project, but is now overcoming yet another challenge, in language comprehension. This is largely why you will not see him on any social networks.
I am Anthony's dad, Marco. Anthony is in his room, working away on the script for his episodes, which we will edit together. We created his video together and wrote (with a lot of editing and coaching) the script together and it is his voice you are hearing as narrator; a miracle, since Anthony was not only unable to hold a pencil properly until 7 years of age, but he was also incapable of participating in any kind of intelligible conversation until closer to 11. As a team, single dad and son, Antonio continues to defy all the "experts," good people, who perhaps did not see the resilience I saw in him. After all, that's what parents are for, right?
Now, after nearly 8 years of honing his Artistic Guardian ideas and the skills to finally draw him, we are looking to make his dream come true. Anthony had the idea of AG for years but did not yet have the motor skills to actually draw him and his universe. Anthony wants to bring episodes of "AG" to life in a web series and create his own animated series, as you see in the video.
Anthony - Some Highlights:
In Dec. 2015 Antonio will receive the "Achievement Award for Young Entrepreneur With Special Needs." This will be presented at the Mississaige Living Artes Center, in front of an audience of hundreds, including faculty from several school boards.
Received numerous school Art and Achievement Awards
Acting in the school drama program in several plays. Created an original play called “Four Fathers.”
Created announcements and delivered them in a voice over style, such as cartoon characters for various events.
Original artwork was on display at the District School Board head office and also showcased in the school office.
First recipient of the D.D. ISP Award for students with developmental disabilities
In 2015, was the first recipient of the Trailblazer Award presented by the Ontario Association for Developmental Education (image directly below).
Anthony with his D.D. ISP Award (below)
When Anthony finished high school at 20, they honoured him with an entire showcase devoted to his artwork! He had a major impact at his high school.
WHAT WE NEED HELP WITH
Anthony says ; "We would like help to get a powerful computer, some animation software and a teacher to help me on how to use it all."
"I will do all of the drawing and all of the characters voices, so we do not need to pay someone to do it. Plus, I LOVE doing voices."
We have some very cool and unique perks! Personalized drawings, tee shirts and one perk where Antonio will create a character of you, or someone you care about and give them a part in an episode.
WHAT THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED FOR
Animation software. We are looking at a variety of packages ranging from $1500 - $3600 for the Maya 3D suite.
A Mac computer, capable of handling and rendering 3D animation, depending on the software package. $3000-$4000
As he continues to overcome his challenges, Anthony will need lessons to understand how to use the software. $1000.00
We are believeing we can raise the funds with your help, by THIS CHRISTMAS! What a present this would be!
AG locked in mortal commbat with Monochrome, who is trying to destroy all colour, to make everyone the same!
MY DREAM
Antonio in his own words
"I want to turn my art into an animated web series. I want to tell people that it is okay to be different, because I am too. I want to teach epople that we should accept everyone, it does not matter what they look like or what colour they are. That is why my AG univerese is full of colour! I want to turn my Artistic Guardian story into a real move like Disney or Marvel does. I hope I can help kids and young people believe in themselves and that they should try as hard as they can to follow their dreams, like my dad taught me. Thank you." Antonio
The Impact
As Anthony is now on a long waiting list for Special Needs to be placed in his first job, he will embark on a journey that will hopefully serve to inspire other Special Needs kids, by proving that "if they can dream it, they can build it." As a contributor, you will be empowering a young man who has had to overcome many challenges and enable him to bring a message of equality, diversity and yeah, some great adventure in the form of Anthony's creations. In short, this is his gift. He is not meant to be a businessman, nor an accountant, he is a storyteller with an imagination, the size of which is only surpassed by his heart. All he needs now are the resources to let fly. He has plotted out 4 seasons of the Artistic Guardian and has begun storyboards as well.
(Antonio's storyboard for Episode 1 - "Why So Blue, Doc?"
Antonio has planned out all of the season one episodes. We have the dream, what we need now are the tools!
The Artistic Guardian is a reflection of who Antonio is, right down to the initials A.G. He is noble and courageous, honest and accepting. He does not judge anyone, he sees the beauty in the world and wants everyone else to see it also. You will not see gross violence, hear profane language, sexual content or anything of the sort in these episodes. That is not his heart.
Antonio - at a Special Needs Community Event in 2015'
One of a number of video segments shot at an Artistic Guardian launch event. Please give the video a few seconds to being streaming.
More of Anthony's work anc other videos, as well as event photos can be viewed at his website www.theartisticguardian.com.
In closing:
Anthony has never heard the words "autistic, Aspergers," or "developmental disability" come out of my mouth.
I have taught my son to dream big. He had also never heard the words "investor," or "funding," before. So when I explained what these are, his first reaction was to say: "I want to do that for someone too someday, dad, I can help make their dream come true."
Yes, proud papa :-)
Then he added; "well, why just a web series? Why can't we make a movie and get Dreamworks to do it, or Lucas Arts, the guys who did Shrek and Star Wars dad?"
I replied; "no reason at all, boy, You dream and dream BIG."
Hey, Mr. Spielberg, Mr. Lucas, or Stan Lee, if you are reading, feel free to reach out
:-)
Everyday, this young man conquers new challenges, like learning to ride the bus on his own, processing more words in rapid succession, learning about how to manage money and make proper change. Every step is a decision of courage.
Anthony also has opportunities to go to schools and speak to youth about not giving up on their dreams, despite their challenges. He is an inspiring young man who wants to give back to the community and help others. he knows he has challenges, but he refuses to make excuses... he only wants to make a difference.
Thank you for helping us everyone, we appreciate you.
Antonio and Marco
Anthony aka "Antonio" was diagnosed as high functioning autistic/Aspergers early in his life. He attended school in classes with modified curriculums. Though many of the more widely recognized signs of autism have subsided, Antonio has continued to wage a steady, but successful battle against a language processing challenge. So what we have now is a young man who is brilliant in creative respects, as you will see in the video for his project, but is now overcoming yet another challenge, in language comprehension. This is largely why you will not see him on any social networks.
I am Anthony's dad, Marco. Anthony is in his room, working away on the script for his episodes, which we will edit together. We created his video together and wrote (with a lot of editing and coaching) the script together and it is his voice you are hearing as narrator; a miracle, since Anthony was not only unable to hold a pencil properly until 7 years of age, but he was also incapable of participating in any kind of intelligible conversation until closer to 11. As a team, single dad and son, Antonio continues to defy all the "experts," good people, who perhaps did not see the resilience I saw in him. After all, that's what parents are for, right?
Now, after nearly 8 years of honing his Artistic Guardian ideas and the skills to finally draw him, we are looking to make his dream come true. Anthony had the idea of AG for years but did not yet have the motor skills to actually draw him and his universe. Anthony wants to bring episodes of "AG" to life in a web series and create his own animated series, as you see in the video.
Anthony - Some Highlights:
In Dec. 2015 Antonio will receive the "Achievement Award for Young Entrepreneur With Special Needs." This will be presented at the Mississaige Living Artes Center, in front of an audience of hundreds, including faculty from several school boards.
Received numerous school Art and Achievement Awards
Acting in the school drama program in several plays. Created an original play called “Four Fathers.”
Created announcements and delivered them in a voice over style, such as cartoon characters for various events.
Original artwork was on display at the District School Board head office and also showcased in the school office.
First recipient of the D.D. ISP Award for students with developmental disabilities
In 2015, was the first recipient of the Trailblazer Award presented by the Ontario Association for Developmental Education (image directly below).
Anthony with his D.D. ISP Award (below)
When Anthony finished high school at 20, they honoured him with an entire showcase devoted to his artwork! He had a major impact at his high school.
WHAT WE NEED HELP WITH
Anthony says ; "We would like help to get a powerful computer, some animation software and a teacher to help me on how to use it all."
"I will do all of the drawing and all of the characters voices, so we do not need to pay someone to do it. Plus, I LOVE doing voices."
We have some very cool and unique perks! Personalized drawings, tee shirts and one perk where Antonio will create a character of you, or someone you care about and give them a part in an episode.
WHAT THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED FOR
Animation software. We are looking at a variety of packages ranging from $1500 - $3600 for the Maya 3D suite.
A Mac computer, capable of handling and rendering 3D animation, depending on the software package. $3000-$4000
As he continues to overcome his challenges, Anthony will need lessons to understand how to use the software. $1000.00
We are believeing we can raise the funds with your help, by THIS CHRISTMAS! What a present this would be!
AG locked in mortal commbat with Monochrome, who is trying to destroy all colour, to make everyone the same!
MY DREAM
Antonio in his own words
"I want to turn my art into an animated web series. I want to tell people that it is okay to be different, because I am too. I want to teach epople that we should accept everyone, it does not matter what they look like or what colour they are. That is why my AG univerese is full of colour! I want to turn my Artistic Guardian story into a real move like Disney or Marvel does. I hope I can help kids and young people believe in themselves and that they should try as hard as they can to follow their dreams, like my dad taught me. Thank you." Antonio
The Impact
As Anthony is now on a long waiting list for Special Needs to be placed in his first job, he will embark on a journey that will hopefully serve to inspire other Special Needs kids, by proving that "if they can dream it, they can build it." As a contributor, you will be empowering a young man who has had to overcome many challenges and enable him to bring a message of equality, diversity and yeah, some great adventure in the form of Anthony's creations. In short, this is his gift. He is not meant to be a businessman, nor an accountant, he is a storyteller with an imagination, the size of which is only surpassed by his heart. All he needs now are the resources to let fly. He has plotted out 4 seasons of the Artistic Guardian and has begun storyboards as well.
(Antonio's storyboard for Episode 1 - "Why So Blue, Doc?"
Antonio has planned out all of the season one episodes. We have the dream, what we need now are the tools!
The Artistic Guardian is a reflection of who Antonio is, right down to the initials A.G. He is noble and courageous, honest and accepting. He does not judge anyone, he sees the beauty in the world and wants everyone else to see it also. You will not see gross violence, hear profane language, sexual content or anything of the sort in these episodes. That is not his heart.
Antonio - at a Special Needs Community Event in 2015'
One of a number of video segments shot at an Artistic Guardian launch event. Please give the video a few seconds to being streaming.
More of Anthony's work anc other videos, as well as event photos can be viewed at his website www.theartisticguardian.com.
In closing:
Anthony has never heard the words "autistic, Aspergers," or "developmental disability" come out of my mouth.
I have taught my son to dream big. He had also never heard the words "investor," or "funding," before. So when I explained what these are, his first reaction was to say: "I want to do that for someone too someday, dad, I can help make their dream come true."
Yes, proud papa :-)
Then he added; "well, why just a web series? Why can't we make a movie and get Dreamworks to do it, or Lucas Arts, the guys who did Shrek and Star Wars dad?"
I replied; "no reason at all, boy, You dream and dream BIG."
Hey, Mr. Spielberg, Mr. Lucas, or Stan Lee, if you are reading, feel free to reach out
:-)
Everyday, this young man conquers new challenges, like learning to ride the bus on his own, processing more words in rapid succession, learning about how to manage money and make proper change. Every step is a decision of courage.
Anthony also has opportunities to go to schools and speak to youth about not giving up on their dreams, despite their challenges. He is an inspiring young man who wants to give back to the community and help others. he knows he has challenges, but he refuses to make excuses... he only wants to make a difference.
Thank you for helping us everyone, we appreciate you.
Antonio and Marco
Organizer
Marco Girgenti
Organizer
Etobicoke, ON
