A short movie, along with a dream is being created and accomplished in Robbinsville.

Laura Shapanus, a Robbinsville resident who in lives in Town Center, started by writing a script about what was going on in her life. "Acceptance" is a story based on Laura's personal experiences about realizing her son is different, a son that has a form of autism.

It began when one of Laura's friends gave the script to her husband, Gene Gallagher, to read. Gallagher, who works in television and has a film background, found the script striking. It moved Gene in a profound way and inspired him to come on as the film's Director. "The film is about a mother coming to terms with finding out her son as asperger's, the whole time she thinks that her child has A.D.D. When she finds out, she has a hard time dealing with this issue, which is understandable" said Gallagher. "It's based upon Laura's real life experience, you know, loosely based, but it's coming from a real natural place. As a parent, I could really relate in the subject matter, it touched me, I have a lot of friends going through similar situations"

Laura, who has been acting for over 20 years, felt this was a great opportunity to share something important. "I've written plays in the past and I feel like I have a story to tell and with all the experience I've had" said Shapanus. "Then I thought, now's the time, if I don't do it now, it's never going to happen and I basically just made myself get on the computer and I told the story that has a lot of truth to it, it's something that happened to me and it came together".

Shooting locations included Shapanus's home, Robbinsville High School and other areas around Robbinsville Town Center. "The township has been great too, Robbinsville township, anything she's asked for, they've been great" added Gallagher.

Along with Gallagher directing, Shapanus was also able to get a large amount of people to participate in the film. "She put the word out and next thing you know we have all these people come on board, really talented people" recounted Gallagher.

Shapanus has received a lot of help along the way, featuring a crew that has donated their time as well their equipment to help her realize her dream. Others that came aboard were Eric Kosinski, Jill Brown, Eric Bencivengo, Chris Lampe, Mike Competielle as well as receiving help from Aaron Curtis and Adam Hague who also donated their time.

Shapanus felt extremely humbled and grateful for the help she has received with "Acceptance". "I feel like I'm dreaming that this is happening, I can't believe that all these people are in my house, their talents and donating their time because everyone is volunteering, we have no money. If someone tells you can't do something, they're wrong, people would tell me, you can't make a movie with no money. Really? Well, so far so good" said Shapanus.

"Acceptance" will finish shooting in February and is looking towards a spring release and screening, look for "Acceptance the movie" on Facebook to follow its progress