MY FILM

Welcome to my mind.

My name is John Cadigan, and I'm an artist with schizophrenia.

People Say I'm Crazy is my documentary about the world inside my head.

It's a chaotic world filled with paranoia, creativity, fear and desire. A world in
which I'm struggling every day, trying to know what is real and what is not.

Ten years ago, after my first psychotic break in college, I started filming myself because I wanted the world to know what it's like to live with labels such as "psychotic," "schizophrenic" and "severely disabled." I filmed everything—from
being catatonic to when I had ECT (electro-convulsive therapy).

Finally a new generation of medications came on the market, and they actually
began to work. My life became bearable, sometimes even enjoyable. I started to create again—drawing, carving and making woodcuts. If my family and doctor
hadn't given me such intense support, I'd probably be dead by now.



Clips from People Say I'm Crazy

911 Emergency
John struggles to commuicate in an early episode.
  Seal Print
John creates a signature work of art.
  Seal Print
quicktime Quicktime quicktime Quicktime
windows media Windows Media Player
windows media Windows Media Player

Break From Reality
John puts schizophrenia in perspective
  Leaving Art School
Unable to cope, John drops out of school. 
Break From Reality   Leaving Art School
quicktime Quicktime   quicktime Quicktime
windows media Windows Media Player   windows media Windows Media Player

At Home With Mom
John finds comfort and familiarity at Mom's house.    
  The Hardest Part
John's Mom grasps the weight of his illness.
At Home With Mom   The Hardest Part
quicktime Quicktime   quicktime Quicktime
windows media Windows Media Player   windows media Windows Media Player