Bayside Filmmaker Puts Focus On Son's Autism For New Flick

BAYSIDE, QUEENS -- David Bold wanted to make a film about autism even before his son was born.

A screenwriter by trade, the Bayside father had gone so far as to write an entire script for the flick, which he would later call "BRIAN," after he met a teen with autism whose life story fascinated him.

But that was before Justin. It was before Bold felt his stomach drop when his son, now 13, was diagnosed with autism at age 2. It was before the sting of children avoiding and fearing his son became routine, and before a stranger approached them at a park to ask if there was another "special" playground Justin could play at.

Now, years later, Bold told Patch the film he once wrote as an outsider is full of firsthand perspective, and he's more determined than ever to get the cameras rolling. After a summer spent fundraising and networking, the goal is finally within reach.

"When my son was born, I learned what you really go through when you have someone with autism in your family," Bold said.

"I wanted to establish in the script that it's not easy, and I want people to understand him."

In June, Bold launched a GoFundMe page titled "BRIAN - Autism Acceptance Film" to help get his movie off the ground, and it has since seen a steady flow of donations. He's so far raised just over half of his $2,500 goal - enough to create his film's promotion packet that he'll soon present to investors.

"I was shocked by some of the big amounts people donated," Bold said. "I was so overwhelmed."

The film centers around Brian, a fictional teen with autism who forms an unlikely bond with his bitter, estranged uncle that ends up reconnecting their family. Bold said the story is heavily influenced by and loosely based on his own son, and it's told through Brian's perspective.

"In a way, you kind of see what an autistic person sees through their eyes," he said. "When Brian speaks, I write his dialogue around what my son would say if he could talk."

If all goes well, Bold hopes to start casting for the film by the year's end.

Bold said he's written more than a dozen screenplays in genres ranging from comedy to drama to horror, but this one has become a passion project. He hopes it will help people better understand autism and become more accepting of people who have it.

That includes Justin, who despite being known by loved ones for his infections smile and fierce hugs, is still somewhat isolated from peers who tend to avoid him.

"Everybody knows what (autism) is, but some people still don't want to accept it," Bold said. "My wife and I, we just try to stick by him and spend time with him."

Bold said therapy has helped Justin progress to "a good place" since his diagnosis, but it still stings to watch children - and even parents - avoid or make hurtful comments about his son because they don't understand him.

"Autistic children still have feelings just as you do," he said.

"They're nothing to be afraid of or run away from. Embrace them."

Lead photo courtesy of David Bold