'Swanky' movie shows artistic adults with autism in action

David Blose, 23, said he plans to wear a “James Bond tuxedo.”

Their big night will be Nov. 27 at Will Rogers Theatre, 4322 N Western Ave. The event begins at 6 p.m.

Blose showed off one of his paintings as he stood in front of the Will Rogers stage and talked about the premiere, his art and the film.

“It's very exciting and wonderful,” Blose said. “It's going to be so great.”

Brandon Smith, the coordinator of the “Big Swanky” art camp and art show last summer in the Paseo Arts District, said the idea to make short videos of the artists at work turned into a 60-minute show.

More than 400 people attended the art show, and the project continues to captivate people, Smith said.

“I think the bigger picture is thinking differently about people with autism,” he said.

Smith said the film “highlights the experiences of the artists and shows their heart and soul.”

Melinda Lauffenburger, executive director of Autism Oklahoma, a sponsor of the project, said the idea to is to have a “Hollywood type event” for the artists.

“We started making a little bit of film and realized we really had some incredible footage of the young adults with autism,” Lauffenburger said.

Zac Davis, a Norman filmmaker, directed and edited the movie “Swanky.”