Joey Travolta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joey Travolta is an actor and film producer.[1] He is the brother of actor John Travolta.[1] He produced the 2006 documentary film about autism, Normal People Scare Me.[1] Travolta is a former special education teacher,[2] and at the time of the film's production operated a children's film and acting workshop called Entertainment Experience.[1] "So I mentored him with lights and the camera and editing. He did all the interviewing and research. I kind of worked one-on-one with him," said Travolta of his work with teenage director Taylor Cross, who is himself autistic.[3] Travolta started the organization Actors for Autism, which assists those with the condition to create films.[4][5] "I dedicated my life to this. I love working with kids and I love making films," said Travolta to The Bakersfield Californian.[6] Travolta commented on the impact of the film: "It was like a domino effect. And I found my calling."[7] After his experiences working on the film, Travolta began to teach film to autistic children at camps in California, Florida, and Michigan.[7]
Joey currently runs vocational programs for adults with developmental disabilities in Burbank and Bakersfield, California.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d McCarthy, Dennis (April 1, 2004). "Autistic kids let us into their world". Daily News of Los Angeles: p. N3.
- ^ Rush, George; Joanna Rush Molloy, Jo Piazza, Chris Rovzar (April 12, 2006). "Travolta's son's diagnosis: Science vs. Scientology?". New York Daily News (Daily News, L.P.): p. 22.
- ^ Atkinson, Scott Michael (August 31, 2008). "Rare gift Film camp allows autistic students to learn art of self-expression". Grand Blanc News (The Flint Journal): p. 1.
- ^ The Times staff (January 6, 2009). "Travolta family tells of heartbreak as post mortem reveals son died of seizure". The Times (News International Ltd.).
- ^ Price, Richard (January 10, 2009). "Did Travolta’s weird faith seal his son’s fate? - One week on, the death of Scientologist John Travolta’s son is still shrouded in mystery. But fingers are increasingly being pointed at the cult and its fanatical opposition to conventional medicine ...". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Company): p. 18.
- ^ The Bakersfield Californian staff (January 14, 2009). "Joey Travolta, in town for filming, shares thoughts on nephew's tragedy". The Bakersfield Californian.
- ^ a b Sherne, Dana (July 1, 2009). "Confidence at film camp - Star's brother wins fans of his own". Contra Costa Times: p. 3A.
