Sponica Films has partnered up with autism charities around the nation to raise funds for the new feature film, "Good Morning Sunshine." This film has been created to bring awareness and understanding to the world of autism. The drama is based on the struggle between six individuals and their experience with autism. The group discovers how to comfort one another and learns to grow and prosper in a healthy environment. Arizona Foothills Magazine was lucky enough to talk with creator and director Jules Jacob.
To view the trailer before you read the interview, click here.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Please tell us what the movie is about in a little more detail.
Jules Jacob: “Good Morning Sunshine” is based in the early 1980’s. When six autistic individuals are placed in temporary autism housing due to their recent circumstances, they discover the key to their happiness and begin a journey to fulfill what's been lost all along. They soon find companionship and comfort in each other’s company through the strength of one woman who courageously seeks to grant them their heart’s desires. Gracie Salinas, a 25-year-old nursing assistant, not only brings these individuals on that wild awakening journey, but she too discovers the path to happiness within her own personal life. Just when all begins to seem right, Gracie is faced with a compromising decision that will determine the fate of her future. Soon after, faith becomes Gracie's only lifeline as she faces these final decisions.
AFM: What is the first thing you would tell the audience after they saw the trailer?
JJ: One out of 150 children are born with this disorder.
AFM: There are very few movies that teach an accurate portal of any mental illness. How are you directing the movie so it is correct?
JJ: All of my actors were pretty much intimidated by the role initially, so I decided to send them video clips of autistic people from YouTube so that they could first understand autism and secondly, the struggles that one has to go through in order to deal with the love one who has the disorder. Some of them have also gone to support centers in order to understand the disorder face to face. I explained to all six cast members, ‘You are the person you’re studying; you’re not yourself for the next two months.’ A few of my cast member’s brothers and best friends have the disorder. Luckily it makes the role a lot easier for them to play considering they’re very familiar with the body language, speech impediment, and communication problem that the majority of autistic people have.
AFM: The movie trailer was powerful. What inspired you to create and direct this movie?
JJ: My wife (Katrina DeLafonte), who plays nurse Gracie Salinas, and myself felt that not enough meaningful storylines were being put to use in the film industry. I wanted to do something different, something that people would remember and be touched by. My wife and I came up with several movie concepts regarding different types of disorders. As we began to do our research within our family and friends on the different types of disorders, autism is what caught our attention the most.
AFM: Do you have personal connections with autism?
JJ: Yes, I actually do.
AFM: How so?
JJ: I had a friend years ago who I used to get upset with because he was horrible with communicating and not being able to socialize outside of his career, as a music producer. I explained to him several times that he needed to learn how to communicate with people without offending them. His parents got upset with me for telling him that. At the time, I couldn’t understand why his parents were being so protective of him, considering he was an adult. Within the past six months learning more and more about autism, I soon after found out that he was autistic. All these years I’ve been ignorant towards autism, not knowing that a dear friend of mine had this disorder. With that said, autism has definitely struck a soft spot in my heart.
AFM: What do you tell families who have loved ones going through this illness?
JJ: I would say, ‘Don’t give up.’ Almost every situation in life has a curable outcome. Some situations may even seem incurable for the time being. By giving love, patients, determination and understanding to this disorder, it will eventually coincide with a breakthrough.
AFM: Besides raising awareness, what can people do to help individuals with autism?
JJ: Primary key, you must have patients while teaching them. We all need to be understanding of the disorder and don’t look at it as a disease. One of the biggest problems with autistic people is communicating, so explain to them what they are doing wrong in complete detail.
AFM: What would you like people to do?
JJ: What we hope to accomplish with the movie trailer is to number one, raise awareness and better understanding, but to also raise $75,000 to donate to the research of this disorder, as well as funding for our company to complete this film, ‘Good Morning Sunshine’ for $125,000. People can donate by going to either www.SupportSunshine.com or www.indiegogo.com/Good-Morning-Sunshine. The proceeds will go to the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the Autism Society of America.
AFM: Can you please share with us some of your experiences filming this movie?
JJ: Wow! Even though the storyline is a touchy subject, the cast has definitely brought laughter to the set. I have a supporting character ‘Eddie’ played by Spenser Becker who’s disabled in real life. Spenser is a great actor and definitely has a beautiful spirit. He told me he appreciated me giving him a chance to showcase his talents when no one else would. I told him, “I see things in others that most people can’t see.” Spenser brought a lot of laughter to the set. Everyone loves him, and he will truly make his mark in the industry. Some of the actors have been their own worst critics. They want to portray their character to the best of their ability, to the point they get very emotional and tear up. Many may not know this, but I direct, produce, film, and edit all of my work. While editing the trailer I did something that I’ve never done before. I dropped a tear while watching the trailer. Why? My actors brought true life to the camera. While watching the trailer, I didn’t see actors, I saw real people. My actors became their characters. What an amazing cast.
AFM: What is your next big film project?
JJ: ‘Hearing Sam.’ It’s a movie based on a young boy in the early 1950’s who was born perfectly normal, but at the age of ten, he loses his hearing. Learning how to adjust to his disability and having to deal with racism because he’s biracial is only one part, receiving his ability to hear again at the age of 30 is another. My wife inspired me for ‘Hearing Sam.’ Not too many people know this, but she lost her hearing in her left ear completely. She needed massive surgery in order to save her hearing ability, and at the end of the day, her eardrum had to be removed. It amazes me how many of our friends are clueless, in which she reads their lips in order to understand what they’re saying.
AFM: When did you know you wanted to be a director?
JJ: Since I was 5 years old. I grew up watching the legend John Wayne, ‘Dukes of Hazard,’ ‘The Odd Couple’ and many more of the early 70’s and 80’s television shows. I always imagined bringing my imagination to the big screen one day. When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher told us to write a short story which was supposed to be no more than two pages long. Unfortunately, when it was my turn to go in front of the class to read my story, my teacher asked me how many pages did I write. (Laughing) My answer, 30 pages! She was kind enough to let me read it to the class and when I got to the end, I got a standing ovation.
AFM: Did you always want to direct?
JJ: Yes and no. It’s always been a passion of mine, but where I’m originally from, New Orleans, it seemed impossible. As I got older, I became more involved in the music industry as a recording artist. When you become older, you become wiser. I gave myself the good old pep talk. I can be whatever I want to be. I’m the same person that survived Hurricane Katrina and Ike in which I became homeless. In 2009 I decided to move to Los Angeles, Calif. to pursue my dreams as a film maker. I never went to school for filming, literally self-taught. In 2010, I created a television series called ‘Sponica’ that got massive attention from all over the world including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and CW Network. I’m glad I gave myself the pep talk.
AFM: What is something you would tell future directors who are just learning the business?
JJ: Never follow others and don’t wait for major studios to give you a call. Create your own trail blaze. Create new storylines. Think outside of the box. Always remember, you chose this career path because it’s something that you love doing, not because it stresses you out. If you stick with those guidelines, you’re on your way to the big screen.
AFM: If you were trapped on a desert island, what is an album that you could listen to the rest of your life?
JJ: ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong.
