award winning
discussion guide
Making Connections
Here at last is a film whose cast is made up primarily of persons with disabilities!
Making Connections is an innovative and entertaining look at a fictitious dating service for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities that sometimes hinder their social progress. Making Connections is acted by people with various physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. Young people who watch this film will see their peers in action. |
The actors deal with many "What if...?" dating situations in which they sometimes succeed and sometimes fail on their paths to making connections with others. Parents and caregivers who watch this film will see their peers set ground rules and limits, allowing enough independence to leave the nest and join the larger world. Making Connections motivates and instructs people to take steps (and some risks) to get out and meet people to socialize with or to date.
Warm humor abounds as you, the audience (young adults, caregivers, parents) identify with the human situations faced by the actors: Remember your first date? Did yiou ever get caught on the verge of kissing in the movie theatre? Did you ever forget your money to pay for the evening out?
Be a true advocate as you help the persons you care for experience the realities and responsibilities of social dating.
The accompanying Discussion Guide provides suggestions for discussion with your group members about what they have in common with the characters they see in the film. It details the development of this film from an original play to its emergence as this fun and powerful medium for teaching social skills. Use the film as a jumping-off place for discussions about issues touched upon in the film, but be mindful of the disclaimer: Buying this film will not guarantee you a date, but it will stretch your mind and entertain you.
Making Connections can stand on its own for pure entertainment. But if used for educational purposes, the Discussion Guide will aid preparation for the group facilitator. In addition, the classroom session at the end of the film can be watched by the entire group or it can be used solely for the preparation of the facilitator. Be a true advocate as you help your students and loved ones learn and grow.
Making Connections Discussion Guide contains suggested activities for making the show come alive for your audience. This is a four-star show! Don't miss it!
Honorable Mention, Rosebud Competition
Golden Eagle Award, CINE Film Competition
Honorable Mention, National Council on Family Relations Media Awards Competition