It Can Be Anything

Rachel has an intellectual disability and has been an artist for over 8 years. She loves to draw and create. The images, shapes and feelings you embody when looking at her work is truly special. While she has a hard time communicating verbally, her art has a way of connecting with people and communicating on a whole other level.

The film is an inter-dimensional journey of creativity through the lens of Rachel’s drawings. Her work represents a unique and vast creative landscape to explore. More importantly, her philosophical outlook establishes an open-mindedness and inclusivity that is both beautiful and inspiring. Our intention is to leverage that outlook and use her phrase It Can Be Anything as a mantra to steer us through her journey.

Starring Rachel Doucette
Directed by Ryan Bergmann
Design, Animation & Direction by Good Form
Written by Nick Blagrave
Music & Sound Design by Jeff Moberg
Produced by Marsha Doucette, Joaquin Cardoner
Additional Design & Animation by Emilie Muszczak, Jonathan Reyes
Partners: Special Olympics Ontario, The Art Gallery of Ontario

Last year, in the lul of lockdowns, I was spending more time with my brother, and family friend Rachel who were both born with intellectual disabilities. This time made me realize the incredible stories that Chris and Rachel had and led me to assemble a team and make a short film about how Rachel communicates.

Rachel has been an artist for over 8 years. She loves to draw and create. The images, shapes and feelings you embody when looking at her work is truly special. While she has a hard time communicating verbally, her art has a way of connecting with people and communicating on a whole other level.

The film is an inter-dimensional journey of creativity through the lens of Rachel’s drawings. Her work represents a unique and vast creative landscape to explore. More importantly, her philosophical outlook establishes an open-mindedness and inclusivity that is both beautiful and inspiring. My intention is to leverage that outlook and use her phrase “It Can Be Anything” as a mantra to steer us through her journey.

I hope this film resonates with you, and that you see the opportunity to share something that is personal to many underrepresented, while also being universally inspiring. The film has inspired me to take this cause further. I have partnered with the Art Gallery of Ontario (https://ago.ca/) to screen the film, as well as host weekly art workshops for those with intellectual disabilities. The program starts on June 16th and will go on throughout the summer.