We open in darkness; it's the middle of the night. We are in a makeshift recording studio; actually a small bedroom, wallpapered with acoustic foam.
Andreas Balmaceda is about to record the first lines of a story for his YouTube channel Mr. Haunted. His finger presses the record button.
The voice tells a story firmly bound up in the mystery / Twilight Zone genre.
Andreas is seated behind a microphone. He is a big man, but he is wearing black; blending into the darkness, making it hard to know how big he really is.
His deep voice is measured, authoritative, but not threatening.
When he reaches the end of the speech, the film unexpectantly cuts to a non-descript, suburban patio. We see what might be a movie set: a few lights, cameras, people milling about. There is a woman seated in a chair. We seem to be looking at a formal interview.
We are talking to Susan, Andreas’ mother.
Note: In very general terms, people on the autism spectrum process information differently; this is particularly true in dealing with others. What other people are thinking or feeling can go unnoticed or be misinterpreted. The nature of autism has been explored in many books and films. This film looks at one person on the spectrum and how he is making his way through life. It will not offer statistics, history, or theories on the causes of autism. The subject of autism may receive increased media attention due to current events, but the film will not take a political position. We will, however, ask our subjects to comment on what they hear in the news, and some of their opinions will likely be unexpected.
The interviews will continue with two more people who are playing an important part in Andreas' life.
While in middle school, Andreas met Joseph Lo Re, and they became friends as they realized they shared a quirky taste in humor. Joey will tell stories about pranks they played and the trouble they could not avoid getting into. The autistic are thought to have difficulty forming friendships; so his relationship with Joseph, who has ADHD, has something to teach us.
While a friendship between an autistic person and one with ADHD is unique, even more unexpected is the romantic relationship between Andreas and his girlfriend Mariana Olivo. Autism and romance are often thought to be mutually exclusive. People with autism have the same desires for love and intimacy as neurotypical folks, but difficulties in understanding the emotions of others can make these relationships problematic.
Mariana is an up and coming, talented writer. She and Andreas have worked together on content, and we will see them collaborating on at least one of these projects.
The final line of questioning will be about the future.
‘The future’ is usually a difficult and foreboding subject for those on the spectrum and their families. Andreas is twenty six years old but doesn’t drive a car and still lives with his parents. He has had part time jobs, and he derives some income from the Mr. Haunted channel, but these have not generated enough for him to live on his own. Where will he be in ten years? Does he see himself in his own home, perhaps married?
By the end of the film, we will be familiar with Andreas’ challenges, but we will not end this film on a note of pessimism regarding an uncertain future. No. Andreas will harness his talents, and we will follow him as he takes the initiative, not only to find a job, but to establish a career.
We anticipate a line of questioning that will challenge Andreas to approach his future endeavors with the same dedication that he brings to his Mr. Haunted character. In this way BALMACEDA will do something unusual for a documentary film. The film will not only work to influence its audience, but also to motivate the choices of its subject.
As Mariana tells us: ' it isn’t hard to imagine Andreas having success as an actor... with a specialty in voice-over narration.'