It doesn't matter that many of them have autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability that affects the way they communicate and interact with others. They have been elevated above limits that might have been set for them.

They are working with a Hollywood star, and the end result will be a red carpet movie premiere and a chance to be seen on a big screen.

"They all have gifts and strengths and it's just a matter of fi nding them," says Joey Travolta, the filmmaker who brought his camp from California to Michigan for the first time. "They're given a voice."

Travolta, 55, a longtime fi lmmaker and older brother to megastar John, has his own digital fi lm and acting workshop in Los Angeles, The Entertainment Experience, that helps train aspiring filmmakers. Since he used to teach special education in New Jersey, where he grew up, creating a camp for kids with autism seemed like a natural progression.

Get the show on the road

Now, for the fi rst time, Travolta has brought his fi lm crew to OU's Film Camp, hosted by Jack's Place for Autism, which had received a grant for theater, music and art programming from the Jack's Place Foundation.

"Right now, the majority of our programs are in sports," says director Jessica Watson, who began to research other creative outlets for the kids.

She says she heard about families with autistic children here raising money to send their kids to camp in Cali fornia.

"Why not just have our own camp here?" she wondered.

Seeking advice, she called Travolta's office and to her surprise his husky voice greeted her on the other line.

"I ended up talking to him for two hours," Watson says. "He said, You know what? I've always thought about taking this camp on the road.' "

Travolta traveled to Rochester Hills in January to check out the OU campus and was impressed, Watson says. He called back when he got to California to confi rm setting up the camp.

Midway through the camp, the 45 children - 30 with autism and 15 peers - have been learning every aspect of fi lmmaking.

The result will be a 20-minute film that will have a redcarpet premiere and VIP reception.

The short film will be a parody of Donald's Trump's NBC show "The Apprentice," complete with commercials.

"Everyone gets on screen and everyone is a part of the process," Travolta says. "It's like anybody. When they have a goal and outcome, it works. We have to come up with concepts that can include (all of the) kids."

Travolta oversees all aspects of the production. He says filmmaking is a perfect fit for kids with autism, who often feel like outsiders at school.

"Acting is a very inclusive community," he explains. "If you're a little different or quirky, it works."

Making a difference

Watson says she is thrilled with how things are turning out and hopes the camp becomes a yearly event.

"Watching some of our kids grow and find an area that truly interests them has been wonderful," she says. "Words can't explain it."

Tracey Weinberg of Troy signed up her 12-year-old son, Jared, for the camp because he loves movies.

Jared, who has a mild form of autism, has been excitedly telling his mom about all of the activities he participates in throughout the day.

"It's a nice experience to be able to mix with the other kids," Weinberg says. "He's excited about the script and about meeting Joey Travolta. Hopefully things like this will help raise awareness of the capabilities these children have."

Besides taking acting class every day, the children have learned about the casting process, going on auditions, lighting and set design. Some of the more shy children have done a little fi lming work, too.

Every morning starts out with fun exercises "to get the creative juices flowing," Watson says. It's mostly dancing. The kids have done the Macarena, hokey pokey and freestyle dancing.

On this particular day, the director moves in the middle of the chattering bunch and demands order.

"Quiet on the set," Travolta bellows cheerily, encouraging the kids to arrange themselves into two lines for improvisational dancing.

Most of the kids go down hips shaking, hands clapping, fingers snapping. One boy does "the snake" on the floor and the room erupts into loud cheers and hoots. The camaraderie helps illustrate what the camp is working toward.

"Most of these kids are used to having to fill days with doctors, therapy or tutors and they're normally not in an environment where they're not the majority," Watson says. "When they come here, they're accepted. Their needs are supported and they just have fun being kids, which they don't get to do often."

She says kids with autism often have trouble showing empathy or understanding toward others. The camp is helping change that.

"Within one week together they're all supporting each other," Watson says. "Watching the kids form friendships is a really, really big deal."

If you go

"The Apprentice Jr." will premiere Saturday in the Oakland Center at Oakland University, beginning with a 7 p.m. red carpet entrance at Tickets to the movie are $25. A 6 p.m. VIP reception, movie included, is $75 per ticket and will be at Cafi O'Bear's at OU. To purchase tickets, call (248) 370-2424. All proceeds will go to benefit Jack's Place for Autism.