Film producer PJ Saysell-Rosales talks about living with autism.
The film industry is one that is notoriously hard to break into with thousands of new creatives hoping to make it their career every year. Unless you already have a foot in the door with family connections or other useful contacts it takes an immense amount of hard work and talent to get anywhere.
This is daunting enough but some people may also face additional barriers that others would not even need to consider.
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – better known as just autism – could be seen as once such barrier.
It is not an illness or disease but it means that your brain works differently to others’.
According to the NHS, this can make it harder to communicate and interact with other people as well as finding certain situations overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable.
People with autism may also get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events, and take longer to understand information or think the same things over and over.
Due to the already high-stress environment this could make entering the film industry particularly difficult.
But for one filmmaker, his ASD diagnosis has actually helped fuel his creativity and “opened doors” for him.
To mark World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), director, producer and co-founder of Phoenix Rising Media Studios, PJ Saysell-Rosales shared his experience in the industry as someone living with autism.
PJ’s journey
The 31-year-old, from West Sussex, was formally diagnosed with ASD at the age of 12.
Aged 25 he was also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a disorder that can often overlap with autism.
His condition was first picked up on due to some “typical” autistic tendencies such as difficulty using eye-to-eye gaze leading a special needs coordinator at his school to get him a referral.
However, he admits now that he is “not sure” which elements of his character are attributed to ASD and which ones are just natural or nurtured behaviours.
“I am a very deep feeler and form very intense relationships with people,” he said.
In line with World Autism Awareness Day, PJ provided a frank and honest insight into his diagnosis and career so far.
Q&A with PJ
For how long did you want to get into the film industry?
It’s certainly been one of my longest-term goals.
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to make films. When I was about 5 years old my parents and I would visit my grandparents in Bournemouth.
My grandfather had a video camera (it was a huge thing that recorded onto VHS tapes – but it was cutting edge at the time, at least for an excited and ambitious 5-year-old!, which he’d let me use.
I remember setting up a small studio set in the corner of the living room and recording silly little pieces to the camera.
Through primary school I wrote countless scripts and stories and had the idea ofmaking a film (using my grandfather’s camera) with my classmates.
This obviously didn’t happen as my ideas were ridiculously high-budget, but when I started secondary school I formed an after-school filmmaking activity.
Harry Potter was popular at the time so we started making a knock-off version with support from the media teacher.
When I moved secondary schools I met two other budding filmmakers and we banded together to make a series of short films, of which the one I’m most proud of was a 15-minute film about the hurricane of 1987.
I chose to study media production at college and then again at university, but I found the course very non-specific and basic and I was more interested in pursuing my own projects, anyway.
Through the course of many failed projects and embarrassing (and sometimes expensive) mistakes I was building an invaluable network of talented and experienced professionals who were able to support me grow and develop.
Didyou ever think your diagnosis would cause an issue?
No. When my parents told me about the diagnosis I didn’t really think anything of it.
I don’t really even think I knew what it meant.
As far as I was concerned I was just me and it certainly didn’t change my perception of myself.
Has it caused an issue in any way?
Certainly not. If anything, a diagnosis today can be a rather useful attribute.
Most funding and training opportunities available are specifically targeted to filmmakers with “disabilities” such as ASD.
I find it actually opens more doors as it allows me to check another diversity box for funders.
I am hyper-focused and if I really want to do something I’ll storm past all of the red lights
and roadblocks to get there.
This can sometimes cause an issue as it means I won’t put the brakes on to assess the situation and find another solution.
Also, as a deep feeler I tend to create intense friendships and relationships which can sometimes make it difficult to be assertive when I need to be.
Are there things you do differently because of your diagnosis?
Not at all. I tend not to think about it. I do find having a diagnosis useful as it allows me to communicate how and why I may struggle with my friends, colleagues and collaborators.
I never use it as a “get out of jail free card” (although I certainly used to), but it can help my peers understand my more odd behaviours and award me some patience whilst I work through my challenges.
Is there a specific aspect of film production that is especially difficult as a result?
Success in the industry depends a lot on relationships and networking.
I can become overwhelmed in social situations which sometimes hampers my ability to communicate appropriately and effectively, making it more difficult to form these relationships.
I’m also a people pleaser, so being “the bad guy” is sometimes not easy. I don’t like having confrontations with people because I don’t want to lose relationships.
Are there any people in the industry with autism that you look up to?
Not really. To be honest, I think anyone who is a creative in the industry must be somewhere on the spectrum.
But as the diagnosis doesn’t really mean a lot to me I don’t look for it in others. I look up to filmmakers if I enjoy their work and they have a good personality, not because of any label.
Do you think there should be better awareness of autism within the industry and in general?
I think an awareness of neurodiversity in general would help in the industry.
There are lots of different personalities, each behaving in a slightly different way which may go against what is expected in certain situations, and the impatience of the film industry doesn’t foster a healthy environment for people like that.
Lights, camera, action! These three words might be what comes to mind when you think of a film set. However, what goes on behind the scenes is much more than just these three words. Behind every successful movie, there are a group of people who work tirelessly to ensure that everything runs smoothly. These are the people who run the show.
From the producers to the directors, each individual plays a vital role in bringing the vision to life. The producers are the ones who oversee the entire project. They are the ones who arrange the funding and make sure that everything stays on schedule. The directors, on the other hand, are the ones who bring the creative vision to life. They are responsible for everything from casting to cinematography.
Working alongside the producers and directors are the production assistants. They are the ones who ensure that everything is running smoothly on set. They help with everything from setting up equipment to making sure that the cast and crew are fed.
The Filmmakers
Behind every great movie are the filmmakers. These are the individuals who bring the creative vision to life. They are responsible for everything from the script to the final cut. The filmmakers include the screenwriters, cinematographers, and editors.
The screenwriters are the ones who write the script. They are responsible for creating the dialogue and the storyline. The cinematographers, on the other hand, are responsible for capturing the visual elements of the movie. They are the ones who decide on the camera angles and the lighting.
The editors are the ones who bring everything together. They take all of the footage that has been shot and turn it into a cohesive movie. They are responsible for everything from the pacing to the final cut.
The Runners
Lastly, we have the runners. These are the individuals who keep the set running smoothly. They are responsible for everything from making sure that the cast and crew have everything they need to running errands.
The runners are often the unsung heroes of the film set. They work long hours and do whatever it takes to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Without them, the set would not be able to function.
Tom is a passionate and driven filmmaker born and raised in the south of England in 1986. He discovered his love for film in 2017 and has been dedicated to honing his craft ever since.
Together with his friend PS Saysell-Rosales, he runs Phoenix Rising Media, a successful production studio where he has gained a wealth of experience in all aspects of the film industry.
Prior to his career in film, Tom studied Computing for 3 years in college after leaving school in 2003. This technical background has proven to be a valuable asset, allowing him to approach filmmaking with a unique perspective and problem-solving skills.
Tom is a consummate professional committed to delivering high-quality work to his clients every time. He is always seeking to improve his skills and push himself to new heights in the world of film. Follow along on his journey to see what exciting projects he has in the works!
PJ was born in Poole, Dorset on the 4th March 1993 to Peter T. Saysell and Fatima Saysell, both teachers. He is of Welsh and Spanish descent.
PJ discovered his love for film production at the young age of 4, at his grandparents’ house in Bournemouth, where he used his grandfather’s video camera to make short films and documentaries in a makeshift studio in the living room. Shortly afterwards, he and his parents moved to Bognor Regis, West Sussex where he started full-time education. He continued to explore his passion for film and develop his skills throughout school, eventually setting up an after-school activity where he made a series of short films with his classmates.
Committed to his ambition of becoming a Hollywood producer and fueled by a genuine adoration for the craft, PJ spent time between classes making films in the school cellars.
Leaving secondary school with 6 GCSEs in his pocket, PJ went on to study media production at Northbrook College Sussex graduating with two Distinctions and a Merit. He studied for a Foundation Degree in creative practices at the same place, however, dropped out after the first two years to pursue commercial video production.
Following many years of networking and experimental short films, PJ worked as a boom operator on the award-winning short film Learning to Talk. Following this experience, he launched his company Phoenix Rising Media to provide video services to a wide market and produced Malefaction (2017), his first professional short film written and directed by Adam Price which went on to receive nominations for Best Thriller and Best Screenplay at Aesthetica International Short Film Festival, 2017. In Feburary 2017, he joined the Producers Foundation Certificate taught by Elliot Grove and professional guests at Raindance. A month later, PJ reopened Phoenix Rising Media with Tom Flynn as a film production studio to specialise in producing feature-length films for theatrical release.
Chantelle Victoria Dickson is a screenwriter, producer and 1st AD. As a graduate of Digital Film Production and Screenwriting at the University of Chichester, she has previously worked extensively in film and stage management. With experience as lead camera operator for Starfury Conventions, 2nd AD on TV series Radio With No Windows, 1st AD on multiple productions including The Black Box, The Black Box: Awaken, The Arkwrights of Holmbury, Striativus, Here We Are and We Are MorMor, she has a passion for media production.
Elliott Crossley is an eccentric, versatile actor, voice actor and impressionist from Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Having dipped his foot into several aspects of acting work, including theatre, film extra work and online content, he’s had a lot of experience when it comes to performing to either a small party or hundreds of people. His impressions of celebrities and/or characters from popular media can often be found online, on stage or in person.
Alexander Vlahos was born on the 30th of July, 1988 in Swansea, South Wales. His first language is Welsh.
He studied Acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, graduating in 2009.
He his probably best known for his role as Mordred in the hit BBC fantasy show, ‘Merlin’ where he earned rave reviews for his portrayal as the young Druid destined to kill King Arthur.
His first job upon leaving drama school was ‘Crash’ (BBC Wales/Red Planet Pictures) playing the semi-regular role of Dylan.
He went on to appear in the medical drama ‘Doctors’ (BBC) in a week-long storyline, ‘Master Of The Universe’, where he played the lead role of Lewis Cutler. The episodes were nominated for ‘Best Single Episode’ & ‘Spectacular Scene of the Year’ at the ITV British Soap Awards 2010.
Following this, he appeared as Tom Evans alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar, Ayesha Dharker & Mark Williams in the multi-award winning BBC drama series ‘The Indian Doctor’.
In January 2013, Vlahos was seen in his breakthrough lead role as Private Keenan in BBC drama ‘Privates’, focusing on one of the last group of conscripts to enter National Service before it ended in 1960.
Alexander returned to the stage playing Malcolm opposite Kenneth Branagh in the critically acclaimed ‘Macbeth’, performing at the Manchester International Festival (2013) and on Broadway (2014).
