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"Out Of My Mind" had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its performances, portrayal of cerebral palsy, writing, and direction. Based on Sharon M. Draper's 2010 novel of the same name, the film tells the story of Melody Brooks, a nonverbal young girl with cerebral palsy who has a sharp mind and a photographic memory. The movie follows her journey as she navigates sixth grade and fights to be heard and understood. She eventually receives a speech-generating device to express her thoughts and feelings. Actors Phoebe-Rae Taylor, Luke Kirby, and Director Ambert Sealey were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Disney+. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sarah had the pleasure of interviewing Amber Sealey, director of the newly released Disney+ film OUT OF MY MIND alongside the star of the movie, Phoebe-Rae Taylor. Out of My Mind is based on the best-selling novel of the same name and tells the story of Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, who has a quick wit and a sharp mind, but because she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, she is not given the same opportunities as her classmates. When a young educator notices her student's untapped potential and Melody starts to participate in mainstream education, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it. This film is a compelling story about acceptance, love, friendship, and joy and it doesn't shy away from the challenges that come when people judge you by your disability. It's a great testament to the importance of inclusivity and giving everyone a chance to be heard. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com Follow: @BraaainsPodcast Music: @_Deppisch_ Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast
Send us a textDisney's Out of My Mind will be released on Disney+ tomorrow, and I had the opportunity to interview the director, Amber Sealey, on today's podcast. The film is about a sixth grader, Melody Brooks, who has cerebral palsy, is nonverbal, and uses a wheelchair. As Melody navigates the ups and downs of being in the classroom, she eventually shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.Amber Sealey is an award-winning filmmaker whose most recent film, Out of My Mind (Disney/ Participant/Big Beach), premiered at Sundance 2024 to multiple standing ovations. Based on the best-selling YA novel of the same name, it stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, and Judith Light, with Jennifer Aniston voicing the lead's inner life.Projects she has in development include two of her original scripts — the comedy feature COMING OF AGE and the romantic comedy BODICE RIPPER. Her feature NO MAN OF GOD (SpectreVision/Company X/XYZ Films/RLJ Entertainment), starring Elijah Wood and Luke Kirby, was theatrically released in 2021 to rave reviews.She has been supported by Sundance, Film Independent, and Women in Film. She is a fellow of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women and has written scripts for Duplass Brothers/Donut Productions. She was selected for Ryan Murphy's Half Initiative, the NBCUniversal Directors Initiative, the WeForShe DirectHer program, Film Independent's Directing Lab, and their Fast Track program.Her short film, HOW DOES IT START, world premiered at Sundance and (among other awards) won Best Narrative Short at Sarasota FF, and is being turned into a feature film. Her feature NO LIGHT & NO LAND ANYWHERE was theatrically released by Factory 25 and won a Special Jury Award at the LA Film Festival. Her second feature, HOW TO CHEAT, won Best Performance at LAFF, and won both Best Narrative and Best Acting at BendFilm. Her first film, A PLUS D, was released by IndiePix.Sealey has a BA in Theatre Arts and Modern Dance from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MA from The Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She studied Shakespeare at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.She was born in England and lives in Los Angeles with her family.Be sure to check out the movie Friday!Follow me on social media at @offthecrutch, or e-mail me at offthecrutch@gmail.com
Hello listeners! This week I'm reviewing Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper. I really love both of these books. You should definitely check them out. Melody Brooks, an 11-year-old girl, has cerebral palsy, which is a medical condition that affects body movement and muscle coordination. Melody is strapped into a wheelchair and can't walk or talk. Throughout these books, you'll find out how Melody learns to communicate with other kids- some like her and some completely different. Email me at theseriesreview13@gmail.com. Have a great week! Send me a voice message: https://anchor.fm/riya-b13/message This week's challenge: read one of the books I've reviewed on my podcast Edit: I will not be recording next weekend; I'm heading to my grandparents' house over Easter! I'll record whenever I get the chance. Bye!
In Out of My Mind, we met Melody Brooks, whose brain works lightspeed ahead of most kids', but who cannot keep up physically; her only way of communicating is with a communication board. Her utter refusal to let her physicality hold her back has inspired countless readers around the world, and over the years, Sharon has received thousands of letters about her many books, but kids most often ask: what happens to Melody after Out of My Mind? Out of My Heart is her response to those readers yearning for more of Melody's impactful story. In Out of My Heart, Melody is a year older (and braver) and takes the next step towards independence by attending summer camp for the first time. Melody is all alone at the camp, which is designed for children with disabilities. Melody must confront her fears to follow her passion. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody is about to discover how brave and strong she really is.
In Out of My Mind, we met Melody Brooks, whose brain works lightspeed ahead of most kids', but who cannot keep up physically; her only way of communicating is with a communication board. Her utter refusal to let her physicality hold her back has inspired countless readers around the world, and over the years, Sharon has received thousands of letters about her many books, but kids most often ask: what happens to Melody after Out of My Mind? Out of My Heart is her response to those readers yearning for more of Melody's impactful story. In Out of My Heart, Melody is a year older (and braver) and takes the next step towards independence by attending summer camp for the first time. Melody is all alone at the camp, which is designed for children with disabilities. Melody must confront her fears to follow her passion. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody is about to discover how brave and strong she really is.
In Out of My Mind, we met Melody Brooks, whose brain works lightspeed ahead of most kids', but who cannot keep up physically; her only way of communicating is with a communication board. Her utter refusal to let her physicality hold her back has inspired countless readers around the world, and over the years, Sharon has received thousands of letters about her many books, but kids most often ask: what happens to Melody after Out of My Mind? Out of My Heart is her response to those readers yearning for more of Melody's impactful story. In Out of My Heart, Melody is a year older (and braver) and takes the next step towards independence by attending summer camp for the first time. Melody is all alone at the camp, which is designed for children with disabilities. Melody must confront her fears to follow her passion. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody is about to discover how brave and strong she really is.
In Out of My Mind, we met Melody Brooks, whose brain works lightspeed ahead of most kids', but who cannot keep up physically; her only way of communicating is with a communication board. Her utter refusal to let her physicality hold her back has inspired countless readers around the world, and over the years, Sharon has received thousands of letters about her many books, but kids most often ask: what happens to Melody after Out of My Mind? Out of My Heart is her response to those readers yearning for more of Melody's impactful story. In Out of My Heart, Melody is a year older (and braver) and takes the next step towards independence by attending summer camp for the first time. Melody is all alone at the camp, which is designed for children with disabilities. Melody must confront her fears to follow her passion. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody is about to discover how brave and strong she really is.
Melody Brooks-Johnson, Founder & CEO of The Brooks-Johnson Group; an Early Childhood Education Consulting Firm. Melody received a Master of Science degree in Child Development Administration from Erikson Institute in Chicago, IL. and a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Melody has contributed to the field of ECE for the past 15 years holding various positions that range from Kindergarten Teacher, Native English Teacher in South Korea, Preschool teacher, Site Director, Adjunct Child Development Instructor with various Community Colleges, Education Manager, and Director of ECE Programs. All the listed experiences have prepared, equipped, shaped, and influenced who she is as an Early Childhood professional, leader, advocate, instructor, coach, visionary, and has led to the birth of The Brooks-Johnson Group, LLC. Melody is a leader by nature with a niche for coaching and collaborating.The Brooks-Johnson Group was created to challenge the status quo, and to ensure efficacy, efficiency, and change in early childhood education. Melody has created the ideal space by infusing a mixture of her most fulfilling positions. Teaching in South Korea is where Melody found her passion for educating young minds. Teachers were adored, treated with the utmost respect while the children were eager to learn. Melody felt compelled to bring those standards back to the states. As an adjunct Instructor, she found ease in laying a positive and influential foundation in the lives of students working to obtain their associate degrees in Child Development. As an Education Manager, Melody developed and implemented policies, standard operating procedures, and strategies that would change the trajectory of the agency. Melody also enhanced her ability to coach the finest and most challenging staff with the best and most challenging staff.Melody is originally from Chicago, IL and recently relocated to Columbus, OH. Melody is a Believer, Wife, Boy-Mom, Auntie-Mom, Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., HBCU Alum, For the Culture Enthusiast and Building Strong Teacher and Children Devotee!
An interview with Melody Brooks covering her journey from Auburn, New York to becoming the artistic director of the New Perspectives Theatre Company in New York City.
Hello Everyone! Welcome to another episode of Shes and Artist! This week I`m here with Melody Brooks the Artistic Director and Founder of New Perspectives Theater! I cant wait for you guys to here her story. Until then keep creating and keep telling your stories . Instagram & Twitter-Sbrownsays Want to be a guest on Shes an Artist? email me at brown.sarah1012@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shes-an-artist/support
Sharon Draper’s “Out of My Mind” explores what it would be like to grow up without being able to talk or walk. Join us as we discuss the challenges young Melody Brooks faces while coping with the limitations of cerebral palsy and being constantly misunderstood and underestimated. http://fatherdaughterbookclub.com/podcast/out-of-my-mind/ Up Next: “The Thing About Jellyfish” by … Continue reading FDBC gets “Out of My Mind” →
Sharon Draper’s “Out of My Mind” explores what it would be like to grow up without being able to talk or walk. Join us as we discuss the challenges young Melody Brooks faces while coping with the limitations of cerebral palsy and being constantly misunderstood and underestimated. https://fatherdaughterbookclub.com/podcast/out-of-my-mind/ Up Next: “The Thing About Jellyfish” by … Continue reading FDBC gets “Out of My Mind” →
Sharon M. Draper read from and discussed Out of My Mind, the Sunshine State Young Readers Award winner for 2011 for both elementary and middle grades on January 26, 2017. On the New York Times bestseller list for two years, Out of My Mind is the story of brilliant and witty 10-year old Melody Brooks who can't speak or walk due to severe cerebral palsy. Draper has won numerous awards for her children's and teen fiction; she is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Awards, has been the National Teacher of the Year, and received the Margaret Edwards Award for lifetime literary achievement from the American Library Association. The event was sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.