In recognition of World Autism Day on April 2nd, the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK, a U.S.-based autism research initiative) has released a film, Step By Step, that celebrates the uniqueness of neurodivergent individuals. Directed by Anthony Frattolillo of One Free Play (OFP) in collaboration with Agency Bootstrap, Step By Step imagines a future where autism research better informs therapies and interventions to help each participant reach their full potential. The film immediately became the top performing recruitment creative for the client’s ambitious study of autism.
Director Frattolillo said, “From the outset, we aligned on a vision to provide insight into the experiences of neurodivergent young people. This meant developing plot points that were built on real experiences and therapeutic interventions. It also meant casting three young people with autism, refining our storylines, and making sure they were embodied in each character.”
This emergent approach to the film–developing, questioning, reworking–was present at every key stage of the production. During the edit, an iterative approach was taken to create a symbiosis among music, visuals, and editorial rhythm. To highlight the promise of known therapies, services, and supports, the agency and director worked closely with post-house ARC to craft uplifting future sequences for each character.
As the film began to take shape, Frattolillo worked as music supervisor alongside Matt Chapman at Agency Bootstrap. The duo co-wrote the lyrics in tandem with the team at Butter, crafting an original composition that reflected the emotional tenor of the onscreen action. Renée Masse, executive producer at Butter, said, “We’re honored to have had the opportunity to help create a piece of music that helps support SPARK’s mission. Our composer and vocalist, Kathryn Raio- Rende and JP Rende, come from a neurodiverse family, which shaped the way they approached this piece. They focused on highlighting the shared language and the importance of community in sharing those experiences. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect collaboration to help bring this to life sonically.”
“This work will lead directly toward advancements in the research of autism,” said Chapman, founder, executive producer and creative director at Agency Bootstrap. “Through stories like these, we have helped enroll hundreds of thousands of people in SPARK. We now look forward to keeping them engaged throughout their lifespan to improve the lives of autistic people for generations to come.”
“For me, and for many members of the team, this film is deeply personal,” said Frattolillo. “It was an honor to create a film that embraces neurodivergence and supports the work of a nonprofit that is making real scientific advances and changing the lives of others for the better.”