Experiencing Interruptions?

AD[HD]

Most documentaries I have seen regarding mental illness have either been very negative or purely academic. This comical multi-media documentary gives an overview of the stigmas, stereotypes, and misconceptions that people have about ADHD through personal stories and experiences, comedy sketches that help explain the symptoms, interviews with mental health professionals, and facts/statistics. The film provides a hint of humor and an optimistic and hopeful perspective on how treatment can be made more accessible for those who need it. My goal is to help people without ADHD, such as parents, teachers, and peers, to understand the differences in types of ADHD as well as how the disability impacts their day-to-day lives. This may help undiagnosed adults understand their condition and help build an accommodating, sensitive, and empathetic environment for those around them.

There are several things I hope the docushort will prove. Mainly, I’d like to bust three major myths about ADHD that exist due to a lack of mental health education and misrepresentation in media:
1. ADHD is not a fake medical condition created by lazy people, the truth is that people with ADHD have brains that are structured differently (Deficiency of dopamine in the Basal Ganglia and Limbic System).
2. Everyone’s diagnosis of ADHD is unique. No one diagnosis or treatment fits all. While many suffer from problems with focus, there are three defined types of ADHD: Predominantly inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined.
3. ADHD is not something you outgrow as an adult, but “Adult ADHD” is actually considered a different kind of related disorder.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/adhd-awareness-comedy-documentary-short

  • Kiara Sage Prager
    Director
  • Kiara Sage Prager
    Writer
  • Kiara Sage Prager
    Producer
  • Cameron Stafford
    Key Cast
  • Cameron Woodle
    Key Cast
  • Ruby Saracino
    Key Cast
  • Dani Heifetz
    Key Cast
  • Sari Axelrod
    Key Cast
  • Nick Erhart
    Key Cast
  • Mike Hoffman
    Key Cast
  • Jason Lynn-Framm
    Key Cast
  • Blake Chesledon
    Key Cast
  • Joel Griffin
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student, Web / New Media, Other
  • Genres:
    Infomercial, Comedy, PSA, Educational, Documentary, Nonfiction, Experimental, Disability, Psychology, Psych, Neuroscience, Biology, Genetics
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 5, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Tulane University
  • Tulane University Capstone Virtual Screening
    New Orleans
    United States
    May 12, 2021
    Capstone Premiere
  • LA Student Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 13, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The Impact DOCS Awards

    United States
    January 25, 2022
    Premiere Event
    Documentary Short
  • Best Shorts Competition

    United States
    December 19, 2021
    Event Premiere
    Disability Issues
  • Golden Leaf International Film Festival

    United States
    September 12, 2021
    Event Premiere
    Best Student Short Film Best Documentary Short Film
  • FLOW Festival and Film Market

    United States
    September 26, 2021
    Event Premiere
    Short Film
  • New York Flash Film Fest

    United States
    November 1, 2021
    Event Premiere
    Extra Long Short
  • Sweden Film Awards

    United States
    October 3, 2021
    Event Premiere
    Selected, SEMI-FINALIST - Best Editing Short Film
Distribution Information
  • YouTube
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
Director Biography - Kiara Sage Prager

I believe that in order to help someone, one must be compassionate, knowledgeable, and open-minded. As a double major in Digital Media Production and Psychology, I am fascinated by both the human brain and media studies, and one day hope to combine these interests in a visual medium that serves to inform and benefit society. Through my college curriculum, life experiences, and various volunteer work, I have grown intrigued by the mental health crisis in our country and interested in how I can alleviate peoples’ symptoms by interacting with them and getting to the roots of their problems. Until I’m able to do that professionally, spreading awareness of how these illnesses affect children and adults can make classmates and communities more understanding and sympathetic to those suffering.
One way to share this wisdom with others is by exposing them to mental health issues. Film and television can be inspirational, educational, and entertaining. My goal to combine my interests in communications and psychology corresponds with my zest for problem-solving and helping people. By using the power of film, I believe I can encourage awareness of these topics and encourage others to help integrate these struggling people into society. Psychology helps me to understand the human mind and incorporate that understanding into the films and media I produce. Hopefully one day I can use my passion for filmmaking and psychology to help those with severe mental disorders by promoting awareness that will help both patients and the general public be more open to and comfortable in dealing with them.

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Director Statement

All of us have run into trouble learning something new and getting distracted at one point or another. But individuals who have learning disabilities are experiencing those things on a level that is hard to grasp for others. People who have ADHD often have to work even harder and put more effort into the same task than someone without it. It's an intense struggle that they have to overcome constantly. But it has nothing to do with intellectual capability. Many people with ADHD are extremely smart and creative thinkers. They're just doing it in their own style. People used to say schizophrenia and depression wasn’t a psychiatric disorder but a choice and a lifestyle - we don’t think that way anymore. Hopefully 20 or 30 years from now, we’ll have the same outlook concerning ADHD.

ADHD creates a unique breed of individuals. Although at times they are hard to handle, they are dedicated friends and fun to be around, in the right setting. Hopefully, a greater awareness of the disorder can help those with ADHD and people who know them understand their actions and celebrate their individualism.” – Abigail Wallisch

Over 30 individuals with ADHD helped or gave input on the script, and several artists and comics contributed to help shed light on this "invisible" disability. Thank you so much for all of your help, and keep spreading the word to normalize conditions like these :)