A Halifax 2D animator and filmmaker created a short animated film about a robot who "is different from his classmates." Thomas van Kampen's short film Mixed Signals draws inspiration from his own experience with his life on the autism spectrum in hopes to educate audiences.
Thomas van Kampen’s latest film “Mixed Signals" is based on his personal experience with his life on the autism spectrum. Photo contributed.
"It is very heavily based on things that have happened to me and my childhood. I am on the autism spectrum, and I wasn't diagnosed until I was in grade six. Up until then, making friends with other kids and just getting by in life was very difficult," said filmmaker Thomas van Kampen.
Van Kampen said the robot is different for a multitude of reasons such as getting easily overstimulated, being confused for a troublemaker by teachers, having issues connecting with other students and more.
"By learning the truth about what [autism] is, and by harnessing the power of communication, the robot learns that just because it's different, doesn't mean it can't live a happy life," said van Kampen.
He said the idea for this film first came to him around 2019 but didn't start production work until around May 2022.
He is also selling 'Mixed Signals' t-shirts and is donating the proceeds to Autism Nova Scotia.
Van Kampen discussed misconceptions and said some stigmas the Autistic community is trying to break down are about labeling.
"For instance, we're trying to avoid terms like high functioning and low functioning, because it gives the impression that some autistic people are better than others when the truth is, it is a vast spectrum. And every autistic person is different. And, they can be amazing at some things that others aren't and struggle at some things that others won't," he said.
Currently, van Kampen said he is doing a film festival run and wants to provide an incentive for people to support their local film festivals.
The film will be showing at the Toronto Short Film Festival next week, and Van Kampen said he has applied to the local Halifax scene and is excited to share it online after that.
"I hope that when people do have the opportunity to watch it, it really connects with them. I hope that autistic viewers feel heard by it. I hope it helps non-autistic people understand a perspective they might not have seen before," said van Kampen.
van Kampen said he hopes audiences connect with his short "Mixed Signals." Photo from van Kampen.
Listen to the CKDU interview below: