Tag Archives: autistic

Glimpses of Existence (2021)

My experimental documentary short Glimpses of Existence (2021) is now available for viewing on YouTube. I consider it a companion piece to Fragments of the Living (2015).

Glimpses of Existence is a zero-budget film in the form of video collage. Using scenes captured with an old iPhone—mostly during the pandemic—it attempts to find meaning in the mundane moments of our lives, seeking the extraordinary amid the ordinary.

The central focus of the film is my son, Colin, who is autistic. He’s nine years old now, but he was about five when this was made. Despite his condition, Colin finds joy in everyday activities, and through his eyes we recognize the importance of treasuring the tiny segments of life we are granted—minutes, seconds, hours—while being reminded about the transitory nature of existence.

Produced, Directed and Edited by Francis DiClemente.

Distributed by OTV – Open Television

Film Festivals:

2023: Official Selection in the Festival of Arts and Cinema, London
2022: Official Selection, Life is Short Film Festival, Los Angeles
2021: Honorable Mention, Global Shorts Film Festival, Los Angeles
2021: Official Selection, NewFilmmakers NY Short Films Program, New York
2021: Semifinalist, Official Selection, Blow-Up International Arthouse Filmfest, Chicago

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Emmy Unboxing

My professional and personal worlds collided this week when our marketing video team received our Emmy trophies, thanks to our senior producer, Amy Manley, who managed the logistical details and made sure each trophy had the correct information. It was honor to win the award in the branded content category, especially since each team member touched the project in some way.

I felt a little weird carrying my trophy to the bus stop and then resting it on the floor while I rode home. When I entered the house, I asked my wife, Pam, to surprise our son, Colin, who is autistic. When he saw the box, he started ripping the paper. In the video, Pam tries to prompt Colin to read the words on the black band encircling the trophy. Since he’s nonverbal, it’s our way of trying to extract words from him and improve his language processing. It was a joyous moment for our family. It also served as another reminder that my professional success can never match the love I feel for my audience of two.

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Night at the Ballpark

Here I am, back to the blog. It’s been so long. I apologize for the absence, but I’ve been preoccupied with work, family, and side creative endeavors (which I will keep private to prevent jinxing the results). And now summer has ended, and a new semester is unfolding on the campus of Syracuse University.

NBT Bank Stadium. Photo by Francis DiClemente.

I have one note worth sharing. My family and I attended a Syracuse Mets game for the first time this August. My father used to take me to Syracuse Chiefs games at the old MacArthur Stadium, and I was impressed with the confines of NBT Bank Stadium, the ease of parking, the friendliness of the stadium workers, and the blue and orange color scheme in keeping with the New York Mets affiliation.

Mr. Met image on a stairwell at NBT Bank Stadium. Photo by Francis DiClemente.

My wife Pam and I debated taking our autistic son Colin to the ballpark, but in the end, we decided exposing him to the experience of a live baseball game on a perfect summer night was worth the risk of potential outbursts. We feel it’s worth trying new things with him, even though we endure stress, frustration, and humiliation when he acts out. Our hope is he grows more comfortable in public settings.

Colin sitting in the stands on the first-base line. Photo by Francis DiClemente.

And on this night, he fared well. He ate French fries, popcorn, and mini brownie muffins (brought from home). He paid no attention to the action on the field, and when the crowd roared, he unleashed high-pitch screams, drawing the attention of other fans. We left in about the fourth inning with the Buffalo Bisons leading the Mets by several runs. But we considered the evening a minor victory and felt encouraged to attend another game in the future.

Pam and Colin outside NBT Bank Stadium. Photo by Francis DiClemente.

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