The Schneider's aren't your Neurotypical family. This show tells the often-overlooked story of two neurodiverse teens who are forced to coexist at the same school following the death of their mother. One has ADHD, the other is Autistic.
The Schneider's aren't your Neurotypical family. This show tells the often-overlooked story of two neurodiverse teens who are forced to coexist at the same school following the death of their mother. One has ADHD, the other is Autistic.
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Story
Mission Statement
We are a neurodiverse cast and crew trying to shine a light on stories that are often ignored.About The Project
Have you ever seen a character with autism portrayed authentically? What about ADHD?
Growing up I never truly saw my life on the screen. I never saw someone with ADHD going to Resource Room. I never saw someone having to get extended time to finish a test. Instead, what I saw was that I was stupid. That it’s my fault I have trouble focusing. Episodes of shows like The Simpsons would show Bart taking meds and becoming a more bearable person. I became embarrassed of the fact that I took ADHD meds even though I was getting help. Shows like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt show ADHD medication as an answer to bad parenting showing that medication puts kids in a zombie-like state, making them more easily controlled. Perpetuating the stereotype that ADHD is caused by bad parenting. Making parents less likely to get their kids diagnosed.
In addition, Autistic characters are rarely ever shown as people in media. Rather opting to portray autistics as empty shells. Cold emotionless robots, requiring much care. Seldom portrayed by Autistic actors. Rather, they are played by neurotypical actors, who are wearing autism as if it's a costume. Exaggerating the disorder, dramatizing its symptoms, and humiliating the us who have to live with it every day.
The world needs a series that shows what growing up being neurodiverse truly means told by those who actually went through it.
The Schneiders aren’t your neurotypical family. Taking place, a year after the death of their mother, Samantha "Sam" Schneider, a teenage girl with ADHD, and Jackson "Jack" Schneider her autistic twin brother who are forced to coexist at the same school.
Throughout the show, What's the Rule explores what two very different sides of special education look like. We explore the idea of what it is like to be a single parent with two special needs children.
Our goal is to produce the pilot episode utilizing a neurodiverse cast and crew that are often kept from entering the industry.Currently, we are in the process of building out our cast and crew.
The campaign will give us the funds to create the pilot episode. Our goal is to have a festival run followed by the pilot episode being released online after the run has completed.
Our number one priority is the safety of our cast and crew. To ensure everyone stays healthy, we may need to provide testing for the cast and crew on our own. The longer we shoot, the more it costs. We need extra precautionary room in our budget to cover costs should COVID cause us to shut down. Every dollar pledged will go towards our production, and any extra money unused for COVID precautions will be allocated right back into any of the other production essentials previously mentioned.
What's the Rule? takes influences in its story from films such as The Edge of Seventeen (2016), Booksmart (2019), and Keep the Change (2018), as well as television shows like Speechless (2016), Never Have I Ever (2020), and more.
The cast and crew are working tirelessly together to create visuals that reflect the overall uniqueness and quirkiness of the story. We want to take a grounded and realistic take but also have elements of fantasy here and there.
We are all so excited to work with you to bring this story of neurodiversity and acceptance to life.
Incentives
$5
Rule #1: Always say Thank You
Since we can't say thank you in person, this will have to do. You'll be featured on our Instagram along with a thank you for your support! You now have the bragging rights of the century.
$15
Rule #2: Use your headphones in public
This includes all items from the previous tiers as well access to the custom Spotify playlists of Sam, Jack, Dad, and Kevin.
$25
Rule #3: Always save your links
All rewards from previous tiers plus a personalized thank you video and a digital copy of the pilot episode once it's been premiered!
$50
Rule #4: Take advantage of Early Access
All items from the previous tiers plus A link to an early access virtual screening of the first episode followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew.
$75
Rule #5: Know the Process
Perks from all previous tiers plus a PDF of the script, storyboards, shot lists, and insights into the filmmaking process of What's the Rule.
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$100
Rule #6: Social Stories are HELPFUL
Includes all perks from previous tiers plus a social story about the topic of your choice created by our fantastic in-house graphic designers.
$400
Rule #9: Videos are Fun!!!
Includes all items from our previous tiers plus our team will make a short 1-3-minute video about a social skills topic of your choice.
$500
Rule #10: Always say SHARE CREDIT!!!
Includes all items from the previous tiers plus, a special thanks in the credits. Look at you promoting neurodiversity. Now you could tell all your neurodiverse friends that you made a difference.
$1,000
Rule #11: Associate Producers are people too!
Get All the perks from the previous tiers plus you get to join our family as an associate producer! Imagine all the love and praise you'll be showered with for helping bankroll neurodiversity.
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$3,000
Rule #12: Always take BRAND DEALS
Includes all items plus a shout-out to your brand in the credits.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Rule #1: Always say Thank You
Since we can't say thank you in person, this will have to do. You'll be featured on our Instagram along with a thank you for your support! You now have the bragging rights of the century.
$15
Rule #2: Use your headphones in public
This includes all items from the previous tiers as well access to the custom Spotify playlists of Sam, Jack, Dad, and Kevin.
$25
Rule #3: Always save your links
All rewards from previous tiers plus a personalized thank you video and a digital copy of the pilot episode once it's been premiered!
$50
Rule #4: Take advantage of Early Access
All items from the previous tiers plus A link to an early access virtual screening of the first episode followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew.
$75
Rule #5: Know the Process
Perks from all previous tiers plus a PDF of the script, storyboards, shot lists, and insights into the filmmaking process of What's the Rule.
$100
Rule #6: Social Stories are HELPFUL
Includes all perks from previous tiers plus a social story about the topic of your choice created by our fantastic in-house graphic designers.
$400
Rule #9: Videos are Fun!!!
Includes all items from our previous tiers plus our team will make a short 1-3-minute video about a social skills topic of your choice.
$500
Rule #10: Always say SHARE CREDIT!!!
Includes all items from the previous tiers plus, a special thanks in the credits. Look at you promoting neurodiversity. Now you could tell all your neurodiverse friends that you made a difference.
$1,000
Rule #11: Associate Producers are people too!
Get All the perks from the previous tiers plus you get to join our family as an associate producer! Imagine all the love and praise you'll be showered with for helping bankroll neurodiversity.
$3,000
Rule #12: Always take BRAND DEALS
Includes all items plus a shout-out to your brand in the credits.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Justin Janoson - Writer/Director/Creator
Raised on Long Island, Justin has always had a passion for storytelling. From the moment his mother gave him a light green Flip Video Camera, he knew that filmmaking was his destiny. However, Justin didn't grow up in a neurotypical household. Justin has ADHD and an Autistic twin sister named Lara. It is that relationship that inspired him to write What's the Rule.
Growing up, Justin heard it all that he had so much "potential" but wasn't using it. That he is "lazy," despite working twice as hard as anyone else, he grew up with his "friends," saying that his "ADHD isn't real" or that "everyone has ADHD," and he shouldn't need to take medication for it. People would tell him that his success in school was attributed to his ADHD medication and that they "would do well if [they] had a magic focusing drug."
For Justin, he never truly saw anyone on screen who was quite like him. He never saw a family quite like his. He often felt alone. He wants to tell this story because he knows that neurodiversity is important and wants to show people going through these experiences that they are not invisible. He wants to help bring both people who want to learn more about neurodiversity and those who are neurodiverse together and show them the world he has grown up in.
Justin is a student at Quinnipiac University studying Film, Television, and Media Arts. He has worked as a camera operator for ESPN, as well as an intern for NSTV. Justin directed the short film A Typical First I Love You, which was screened at many festivals, including The Long Island International Film Expo, and won the Audience Choice Award the Quinnies. Justin also created and hosted a talk/sketch show which featured guests from all across the film industry called The Janoshow.
Jessica Hoechstetter - Lead Cast/Samantha “Sam” Schneider
Her name is Jessica Hoechstetter, and she was born to play Sam. Jessica is an 18-year-old actress from Houston, Texas. When she was in 5th grade, she was diagnosed with ADHD. Throughout her whole life, she’s had to learn how to manage it on her own. When Jessica went to high school, she was eligible for a 501, which allows students with disabilities to receive more time on assignments and tests.
Jessica would feel embarrassed staying behind in class after tests and being moved to other rooms for standardized exams. On top of this, Jessica also learned that being a Jewish American in the Bible Belt of the country would come with its own set of problems. She’s had to deal with antisemitism for her whole life. Despite all of these challenges, she remains strong and continues to pursue her dreams of being an actress.
Claire Murphy - Supporting Cast/Ashley
Claire Murphy is an eighteen-year-old actress from Connecticut. This is Claire’s second production with IndEP Media. She first met Justin Janoson while playing Liv Blanchard in “Snap Maps”. Claire is so excited to work with IndEP Media again, and she is thrilled to play the antithesis of her real-life personality in “What’s the Rule?”.
When Claire is not acting, she spends time volunteering with disabled children at her local Ronald McDonald House. She loves organizing activities and making all children feel accepted and welcome, which is why a series about neurodiverse teenagers struggling to feel accepted in their high school speaks deeply to her. In the fall, Claire will be a freshman in college, and she hopes to major in neurobiology while continuing to act in film and theatre. Claire aspires to become a physician and continues to advocate for people with disabilities.
William Gavin - Blog Writer/Associate Producer
Will Gavin is an experienced writer, interviewer, and reporter. Driven by an urge to give a voice to the unrepresented, he takes pride in providing the best stories possible. As a reporter, his goals include accurately informing and educating the public. When not working on the next big story, Will enjoys catching up on the news, watching the political circus, and scrolling through Twitter.
Tianna Alley - Supporting Cast
Tianna Alley, based in New York City, is a classical and contemporary actor. Tianna grew up in the rural of Washington State and found her way to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she graduated from the Studio Acting Conservatory Program. Tianna is interested in telling new and untold stories that impact societal standards and outlooks, even if just by small margins.
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