“ELECTRIC CITY – FAR FROM NORMAL," Film to premiere on World Aids Day, 2008.
- Country: US
- City: Normal Illinois
- Venue: Normal Thetare, 209 W North St., Normal, IL at 7 p.m. FREE ADMISSION
Dennis Neal Vaughn’s autobiographical short film, “Electric City – Far From Normal," tells his personal life story of a man's journey from rural Central Illinois and a town named Normal to begin a new life in San Francisco.
The short film deals with his coming to terms with his AIDS diagnosis and how he must adapt to changes and grow from the experience.
The film is based on Mr. Vaughn’s short story, “The City Was Electric.”
When and Where: The film will screen on the 26th anniversary of World Aids Day, December 1, 2008 at the Normal Theatre, 209 W North St., Normal, IL at 7 p.m. The film is funded in part by a Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant made possible with the Human Rights Advocacy Council, the McLean County Aids Task Force of Illinois, and the Triangle Association of Illinois State University.
Who: Dennis Neal Vaughn, from an outside perspective, would be considered, well, normal. Normal also just so happened to be the name of the Central Illinois town where he attended college. He grew up just a few miles West of Normal, Illinois on a small country farm approximately two hours south of Chicago, Illinois.
However, his life would not follow any easy or “normal” path. Despite his Heartland roots and a traditional Midwestern upbringing, Mr. Vaughn would find himself coming out as a gay man living with HIV. He would also learn that he was co-infected with HepC, as are 1 out of every 3 people diagnosed with HIV.
Why: Artist turned filmmaker, Dennis Neal Vaughn was diagnosed HIV+ in July 2003. Many from his home area who also are HIV+ are still to this day stigmatized and isolated from this disease by their family, friends, and community.
Mr. Vaughn’s film gives a vision and a voice to many like him who must learn to cope with the disease. For Mr. Vaughn, it is the discovery that the simple things of life bring him the most meaning.
Currently Mr. Vaughn is a member of The San Francisco Film Society (formerly The Film Arts Foundation) and Frameline in San Francisco, CA where he now resides. Mr. Vaughn is a past vice-president of the Independent Feature Project/Midwest's board of directors in Chicago, Illinois, part of the largest national not-for-profit independent film arts organization.
Mr. Vaughn's film work includes the short films "Autumn Blues" and "Techno Lamp" which aired on MTV and MTV.com. Mr. Vaughn also wrote and directed the feature film "Mama Medea" which screened at the Chicago Alt.film Fest, as well as the short film "an enigma." He holds a Master of Arts degree in photography and drawing. He has a Bachelor of Arts with honors in theatre, both degrees from Illinois State University.
The short film deals with his coming to terms with his AIDS diagnosis and how he must adapt to changes and grow from the experience.
The film is based on Mr. Vaughn’s short story, “The City Was Electric.”
When and Where: The film will screen on the 26th anniversary of World Aids Day, December 1, 2008 at the Normal Theatre, 209 W North St., Normal, IL at 7 p.m. The film is funded in part by a Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant made possible with the Human Rights Advocacy Council, the McLean County Aids Task Force of Illinois, and the Triangle Association of Illinois State University.
Who: Dennis Neal Vaughn, from an outside perspective, would be considered, well, normal. Normal also just so happened to be the name of the Central Illinois town where he attended college. He grew up just a few miles West of Normal, Illinois on a small country farm approximately two hours south of Chicago, Illinois.
However, his life would not follow any easy or “normal” path. Despite his Heartland roots and a traditional Midwestern upbringing, Mr. Vaughn would find himself coming out as a gay man living with HIV. He would also learn that he was co-infected with HepC, as are 1 out of every 3 people diagnosed with HIV.
Why: Artist turned filmmaker, Dennis Neal Vaughn was diagnosed HIV+ in July 2003. Many from his home area who also are HIV+ are still to this day stigmatized and isolated from this disease by their family, friends, and community.
Mr. Vaughn’s film gives a vision and a voice to many like him who must learn to cope with the disease. For Mr. Vaughn, it is the discovery that the simple things of life bring him the most meaning.
Currently Mr. Vaughn is a member of The San Francisco Film Society (formerly The Film Arts Foundation) and Frameline in San Francisco, CA where he now resides. Mr. Vaughn is a past vice-president of the Independent Feature Project/Midwest's board of directors in Chicago, Illinois, part of the largest national not-for-profit independent film arts organization.
Mr. Vaughn's film work includes the short films "Autumn Blues" and "Techno Lamp" which aired on MTV and MTV.com. Mr. Vaughn also wrote and directed the feature film "Mama Medea" which screened at the Chicago Alt.film Fest, as well as the short film "an enigma." He holds a Master of Arts degree in photography and drawing. He has a Bachelor of Arts with honors in theatre, both degrees from Illinois State University.
