‘Empowering our community’: Montreal’s Spectrum Productions

What began as a summer camp in 2009, is now a charitable organization promoting autistic creative talent in film, media production, and the arts. Montreal’s Spectrum Productions strives to provide a platform for the creative voices of the autistic community.

“My favorite thing to work on is most of the animation projects,” said Benjamin Bisant, animator at the organization. “We’re a big family here.”

“It’s a welcoming environment for everybody,” he added.

Offering a variety of of programs like the creative media lab, behind the camera club, Saturday morning cartoons, and what many are working hard towards: Spectrum Live, launching in February.

“That includes more than 50 creators who are on the spectrum or neurodivergent,” said Merilin Paart, Spectrum Live project manager and Artist Coordinator. “The whole process of it has been mostly about learning how to collaborate and how can we help each other.”

From live action shots in front of their green screen to animations – The talent is truly endless.

“I want to search ways to make more better my works in drawings and animation for the animation professional market,” said animator, Lucas Leroy.

“Romeo versus Tybalt, that was my first stop motion animated movie I worked on,” explained Austin Roach, Animation Archeologist.

Animator, Lucas Leroy, working on his animation for Spectrum Live on Nov. 8th, 2022. (Pamela Pagano/CityNews)

“The whole goal was to just, giving power, empowering our community,” explained Felipe Arasanz, one of Spectrum Production’s program manager. “Giving them agency just to express themselves through media and grow their ideas and collaboration and all the fun stuff that comes with it.”

And there’s something fun for all – including you! As the team invites the community to their 13^th Annual Gala and Screening on Nov. 18^th.

Featuring eight films and other creative content from 50 autistic creators who attended their 2022 summer camp.

“You can expect thrills, chills and a lot of superhero effects as well,” said Sierra Lynne, Communications and Social Media for the organization. “All of our participants are super creative and just make the most unique storylines.”

The gala also helps to fundraise for the Spectrum Production programs.

Tickets are available on their website.