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Comfort Keepers Home Care of Greater Kansas City announces screening of the short film Aphasia starring Carl McIntyre
 
Aphasia Screens 6:00-7:00 PM October 11, 2011 at Johnson County Community College’s Regnier Center
 
(Kansas City, MO, September 6, 2011) The short filmAphasia, starring Carl McIntyre will be screened at Johnson County Community College’s Regnier Center in Overland Park, Kansas on October 11, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 PM. The screening will be followed by a short talk and then a question and answer period with Carl McIntyre. Tickets can be purchases online at www.jccc.edu/hhs or by calling the JCCC registration office at 913.469.2323, using the following CRN Course numbers: CEU: 91355 ($15); General Non-CEU: 91357 ($10); Student Non-CEU: 91356 ($5).
 
Aphasia was written by Jim Gloster, a Charlotte, NC director, actor and writer. Gloster wanted to capture the story of his friend, NC actor Carl McIntyre, who suffered a massive stroke in 2005 at just 44 years of age. As a result, McIntyre lives with aphasia, an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person's ability to process language but does not affect intelligence. 
 
Aphasia is true story in which Carl McIntyre stars as himself in a powerful performance that provides hope and inspiration to anyone working to overcome obstacles in their life. The film recounts McIntyre’s first person experience during the stroke and uses both comedy and pathos to tell the story of his recovery and his struggle with his inability to communicate.
 
Aphasia is currently enjoying artistic recognition on the film festival circuit. Aphasia was recently selected for the August 2011 Feel Good Film Fest and screened in Hollywood, California, where it won the audience prize for Best Short Film of the fest. Aphasia was also given the El Capitan award from the Yosemite Film Fest and won the audience favorite award as Best Short Film of the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, both in September 2010. In July 2010 the film was screened as an Official Selection of the Prince Edward Island International Film Festival in Canada in and as an Official Selection of both the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival in October 2010. Aphasia screened at the Radar Hamburg International Film Festival in Germany and at the Oscar® affiliated Foyle Film Festival in Northern Ireland in November 2010. 
 
The production team of Jim Gloster, Chuck Bludsworth, Tonya Bludsworth and Donna Scott formed Little Word Films to produce Aphasia. More than 200 North Carolina film artists volunteered their time to make the film a reality; most of them had worked with Carl in the past and knew him prior to his stroke. To learn more about the Carl McIntyre Aphasia Project, please check out our website and social media pages: http://www.aphasiathemovie.com and like us at ‘Aphasia the Movie’ on face book or follow us on twitter at @aphasiathemovie.  
 
The screening is co-sponsored by Comfort Keepers Home Care, Johnson County Community College’s Health & Human Services department and the American Stroke Foundation which will receive all net proceeds from the event, including net proceeds from the sale of vendor booths. To read reviews or Carl McIntyre’s and Jim Gloster’s biographies, see www.ComfortKeepers.com/KC-MO.
 
Aphasia affects about one million Americans, or 1 in 300 people; more than 100,000 Americans develop the disorder annually. It is more common than Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, however, most people have never heard of aphasia. While the most common cause is stroke, aphasia can also result from head injury, brain tumor or other neurological causes. To learn more, go to: www.aphasia.org.  
 
Comfort Keepers is a leader in in-home senior care to promote independent living through Interactive Caregiving™ Services in the greater Kansas City area for more than ten years.  Services include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, incidental transportation, laundry, recreational activities, personal care and technology products. To learn more, go to: www.ComfortKeepers.com/KC-MO.
 
The American Stroke Foundation is a Kansas City Metro-based organization working to empower stroke survivors and their families to overcome ongoing challenges of life after stroke and rejuvenate their lives, especially through their many programs including verbal communication; reading, writing and math; exercise; That Darn Arm; 1-Handed in a 2-Handed World; Music; Caregiver Support; Survivor Support; Educational Forums; Computer Exercise and Fitness. To learn more, go to: www.AmericanStroke.org.  ###
 
For more information or for interviews please contact: Connie Brockert     ConnieBrockert@ComfortKeepers.com     913.385.2636
 
BIOGRAPHY -Carl McIntyre
 
Carl McIntyre has been acting in regionally and nationally film, TV, commercial and theatre for over 20 years. He began his acting career in college with the role of the Gentlemen Caller in The Glass Menagerie. Since those early days, some of the theatre companies he worked with are the Charlotte Shakespeare Company, and the Southern Appalachian Theatre Company notably playing roles such as Vershinin in the “The Three Sisters” and as Bassanio/Aragon/Morraco in “The Merchant of Venice”. Television performances include roles on episodic series such as Dawson’s Creek, Heat of the Night, Matlock, I’ll Fly Away, The Cape, Savannah, and
The Bandit among others. To Love Honor & Deceive, The Secret, The Locket, and Above Suspicion are some of his credits on movie of the week productions. Feature film credits include The Closest Thing to Heaven, The Great Unpleasantness, Urban Mythology, Paradise, Phreaker and Dear Angry.
 
In addition to being an actor, Carl has also been a producer, a Touring Director and Managing Director for the Charlotte Shakespeare Company and an acting instructor for JTA’s Commercial and Scene Classes. In 2005, Carl MacIntyre suffered a massive stroke that resulted in the disorder Aphasia, which is defined as loss of language. This left him unable to write, read or speak clearly. He has been in a speech therapy program that has helped him regain some of his previous language skills and is considered a great success story within the Aphasia community. In 2007, Carl McIntyre returned to the theater when he joined his friend Paige Johnston‐Thomas on stage in the play Autobahn, presented by CAST Theatre. It was a non‐speaking role, and Carl was the silent foil to Paige’s
very talkative character.
 
Carl continues to actively seek projects where he can utilize his acting skills despite this disorder, and is currently shooting a short film about his experiences since his stroke as a person living with Aphasia.
 
BIOGRAPHY: Jim Gloster
 
Gloster is a producer, writer, actor and director that has been working in film and television for over two decades. Film credits include Art Direction on the features The Other Guys (Sony Pictures), She’s Outta My League (Dreamworks), Semi Pro (New Line Cinema) and Talladega Nights (Sony Pictures) and production design on the independent films Gospel Hill and Walker. Television credits include ESPN (‘3’ The Dale Earnhardht Story), Fox Sports South, Hallmark Hall of Fame(Saint Maybe), ABC, CBS (Shake Rattle and Roll, The Last Brickmaker)and HBO’s East Bound and Down. He was the recipient of a 2004 Nomination and the 2001 Winner for the Art Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Production Values in a TV Movie, and is a member of the Art Directors Guild. Jim wrote, directed and produced Aphasia, which is his second written screenplay and inaugural short film.
 
REVIEW: Aphasia, Hope is a Four Letter Word
 
Aphasia is the heartfelt true story of actor Carl McIntyre who, after suffering a massive stroke at age 44 and losing his ability to read, write, and talk, struggles against overwhelming odds to redefine his life. Carl McIntyre stars as himself and gives a compelling and nuanced performance in this life-affirming film which puts the audience in the seat of the stroke and provides an emotional and humorous ride as Carl navigates the waters of his new normal. Aphasia provides hope and inspiration not only to stroke survivors and their families, but to anyone who has struggled to meet life’s daunting and ever-changing challenges. “Comic Gold... not only touched the hearts of the viewers, but took them along ....didn't just teach us about loss for words.....it left its audience experiencing it.” S. Pogue, Examiner “... the movie has wry humor... painfully funny.” L. Toppman Charlotte Observer
 
REVIEW: The Carl McIntyre Aphasia Project
 
Stroke Of Genius: "Aphasia" Movie Opens in Charlotte
 
May 12, 2:05 PM    Charlotte Friend Zone Examiner      Shannon Pogue
 
On May 11, 2010, "Aphasia" made its theatrical debut at the posh Mez theatre, located in the EpiCentre, uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.  Amidst a red carpet at the entrance, a VIP list, and media bulbs going off, this locally filmed movie was extraordinary for many reasons.  "Aphasia"  was based on a true story, with the lead starring as himself. 
 
The story begins the day of September 15, 2005, the day Carl McIntyre's life was forever altered.  McIntyre suffered a major stroke in his mid-forties that was brought on by a congenital birth defect called PFO.  PFO is essentially harmless in most cases, but does put sufferers at a much higher risk for stroke than the average person.  At the beginning of the film, Carl likens life to a lottery and marks September 15, 2005 as the day his number was drawn.
 
Carl, a seasoned actor with impressive notoriety, finds himself on the floor on his back, aware of nothing but his own helplessness.  His children are present and for an unspecified and very uncomfortable amount of time, we see his small children react as though he is merely acting.  The toddler son is driving a car over daddy's face.  One of the older children merely steps over him.  Finally, we hear a door open and Mom's home.  The relief across the theater could be felt as we hear Mrs. McIntyre's feet come up the stairs. Unfortunately, she , too, thinks that her husband is only acting and more precious time is spent while Mom fusses over bedtime with kids and grows frustrated at the lack of seriousness and assistance her husband is offering.  The frustration that could be felt in theater, and evidenced on the faces on the audience, was strong, but clearly paled in comparison to the frustration that could be conveyed in Carl McIntyre's fading eyes. It is only when Mrs. McIntyre threatens to call 911 that she realizes her husband is in grave danger.
 
Immediately, the seriousness of what has happened sinks in, and we are introduced to Carl's bumpy road to recovery.   The writers did a wonderful job getting inside of the head of the stroke victim, and projecting to the audience what it must feel like.  Letters on signs, papers, and forms that found themselves in camera shots were digitally changed around, giving viewers a taste of the confusion and necessity to stop and process thoughts.   Even though it was frustrating to watch Carl try painstakingly to form words, the movie managed to find lighthearted and even humorous approach to keep it digestible. Some of the movie's comic gold comes from Carl's frustration hitting such a breaking point that he surprises himself and his patient wife with a curse word or two on more than one occasion.
 
This movie brings home what day-to-day things we take for granted....such as going through a drive-through window.  One of the most heartfelt moments is the interaction Carl has with the drive-thru-window attendant who initially finds him creepy.  He knows what he wants to order, but he can't say it. He fights desperately to get the words out, but he is discouraged by others' insensitivity (honking, confused stares, etc)   There are at least three failed attempts at the drive-through window and when Carl finally leaves with what he wants, there were some audience members in tears.
 
The film follows Carl's journey through a year and a half of recovery, after which doctors say he will plateau and cease to improve.  The film keeps Carl in focus but still manages to showcase those who put their hearts into helping him heal. 
 
There were many cast members, producers, writers, and Carl himself present at the premier.  After the film, there was a question-and-answer period from the audience.   After two rounds of applause and standing ovation, Carl stood and delivered a very inspiring speech, introducing and thanking those locals who had taken his story from script to film in just 8 days.
 
All in all, "Aphasia" was a very impressive success.  Not only did it premiere in the heart of the city where it was filmed, but its origin literally started in the heart of its star.  The movie not only touched the hearts of the viewers, but took them along on the rollercoaster of frustration.   The best part?  This movie didn't just teach us about loss for words.....it left its audience experiencing it.
REVIEW: The Carl McIntyre Aphasia Project
Charlotte actor fights back from stroke, in life and on film
After long silence, a voice is heard again
By Lawrence Toppman
Movie Critic
Posted: Monday, May. 10, 2010
 
Carl McIntyre, playing himself, and Chandler McIntyre as his wife, Elizabeth, test the bonds of marriage in "Aphasia." Director Jim Gloster says about $250,000 of services were donated to produce the movie about his friend, McIntyre, recovering from a 2005 stroke.
 
On Sept. 15, 2005, fate snatched away Carl McIntyre's job as a marketer, his second occupation as an actor and the smooth command of language by which he defined himself.
If you attend the local premiere of "Aphasia" on Tuesday night at EpiCentre Theaters, you'll see what the Charlottean has snatched back since his stroke: self-esteem, a still-improving
ability to communicate and a new mini-career as a spokesperson for his ailment, which affects 1 in 300 people and is different for everyone.
 
The movie's title refers to the condition where mental processes are unimpaired but a person cannot read, write or speak with ordinary ease. The 40-minute film was first shown May 1 in Chapel Hill; it celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences in the Speech Therapy Department at UNC, where McIntyre has had to relearn some skills.
 
Most independent movies are labors of love, but that's a love of the craft. This time, the love was directed at McIntyre, whose supporters clustered behind and in front of the camera.
 
"This movie cost about $20,000 to shoot, but we got perhaps $250,000 of in-kind services," says writer-director Jim Gloster, a friend since McIntyre and he worked together at Charlotte Shakespeare Company 20 years ago. "People donated time whenever we asked. This project grabbed them because it mattered."
 
The docudrama mattered most to McIntyre, 49, because it's the first big project to give him back his professional voice.
 
He portrays himself in the agony of collapse and recuperation, but the movie has wry humor: The scene where he first tries to order a drink at a drive-up window is painfully funny. (In one of two climactic triumphs, he finally gets that chocolate Frozee. In the other, he accepts that his old self is gone and makes a new tape for a phone-answering machine.)
 
An uphill struggle
"Fr" words can still tie McIntyre's tongue. So can small, abstract words for which he has no mental picture: "the," "as," "that." (Charlotte executive producer Donna Scott called the movie company Little Word Films for that reason.)
 
Yet he continues to improve long past the 18-month period where he was told stroke victims stop making progress. (That's where his health insurance fell away.) Talking to him is like listening to a foreigner who speaks in noun-verb-object sentences. You can understand the patterns and fill in missing words.
 
"I think today... good day," he said Wednesday at the Central Avenue studio where editor Jay Thomas and cinematographer Chuck Bludsworth were fixing a final cut. "Sometimes, stroke is jail. Because I'm here" - he points to his brain - "but..." He shrugged eloquently to indicate the limits of aphasia.
 
The movie, which was shot in eight days in March, was a tonic for star and director.
 
Gloster's debut convinced him he wants to write and direct again, and he's mulling over a longer adaptation of McIntyre's story. (Gloster and Scott kept this one to 40 minutes so McIntyre could show it when he makes presentations. He's beginning to be in demand with speech pathologists.)
 
"The challenge was, how do you write for someone who can't speak well or learn a lot of lines?" says Gloster. "But his performance is still nuanced.
 
"The movie helped focus him. His therapist asked me, 'What are you feeding this guy? He's talking in complete sentences, and he's learning things he couldn't before.' Carl can still give a performance; you just have to think creatively about finding the right roles."
 
A hopeful attitude
Says McIntyre, "I love being actor. Always will. I thought, 'Actor is dead.'" He ponders his new attitude. "Need more time now, different roles. But never quit." He shrugs again and smiles. "It is what it is."
 
Gloster says that's one of McIntyre's favorite phrases. The actor has lost a lot, from the favorite shirt off his back - paramedics ripped that Vegas souvenir when they found him on his living room floor - to the house he'd lived in for years.
 
But he has hung onto the love of wife Elizabeth, a schoolteacher (played in the film by Carl's cousin, Chandler McIntyre) and their three youngsters. And maybe, he says, the stroke has helped him with his lifelong profession.
 
"Before, more words. But more vanity," he says. "Now, maybe better acting. More real. More honest. I have patience now, because I can't go fast. Maybe new self better self."