The fuel that makes LTD run!

The heart of what makes Learning to Drive unique is that unlike most films that feature people with developmental disabilities, this tale embraces Michael's point of view. It's not a movie "about" Michael; it's Michael's movie! Writer R.E.Stevens explains. "My primary creative guideline as I developed the script was that I never left Michael's side and I always took steps to connect the audience to him over his brother."

Roderick also instilled what he learned from his brother Andy (whom you can meet below) into the film in the hopes that others might learn and grow from it as well. The most effective social change comes not from teaching new ideas, but from entertaining and engaging an audience and letting them discover the change in themselves. He elaborates further "I feel there is enough drama in the world, and while Learning to Drive has a dramatic theme to it, I was always attracted to the humor and recognized that laughter is best way to get the viewers to connect with the characters."

The Script

R.E.Stevens wrote, revisited and revised the screenplay for 15 years before finally settling on the series of events that reflected his passion for the story. Only then, were the wheels set in motion to drive a short film version. His tenacity paid off as the script has already won accolades from two competitions thus far!

Plot Summary

Michael’s always wanted to drive a car, just like his momma and his brother Red . . . and just like Marcia on The Brady Bunch; the problem is he has Down syndrome.

On a road trip to scatter their recently deceased mother’s ashes at the Grand Canyon, Michael is determined to convince his preoccupied (and by preoccupied, we mean scatter-brained) brother Red to finally teach him the ways of automobile navigation! Red is both flustered by the added responsibility of his brother and consumed by a sudden turn of events that has altered their travel plans and possibly their lives.

In a dramatic and humorous turn, Michael takes it upon himself to prove his resolve, forcing Red to face his own fears, let go and just be Michael’s brother.