
The Institute is currently featuring
a short after school special as the Atari Library's Feature
Media Download. This short film entitled "ALAN: A VIDEO
JUNKIE" chronicles the life of four adolescents struggling
with a deadly addiction.
The film focuses primarily on
one young man named Alan. Alan has a problem. Like millions
of American youngsters, he's hooked. He's strung out on a
habit that has turned into a 7.8 Billion dollar business.
Alan is after the latest buzz known on the street as "the
Donk" however Alan refuses to admit he has a problem,
refusing to seek help for his addiction.
"A lot of other kids were
already doing it. And it looked like fun. Pretty soon I started
playing. You know... a lot!" says Alan. Now Alan is hooked
on a game called Donkey Kong. "When you're doin' the
Donk, it's like there's no body else alive but you."
continues young Alan. Alan has a Donkey on his back. And the
thrills don't come cheap. Instead of spending their money
on records, kids today are dropping quarters into video games,
games that are turning them into video junkies.
This four minute film also focuses
on Phylis, a young girl hooked on Dig Dug, who is earning
her quarters the hard way, one quarter at a time. Profiles
on Cindy, a Ms. Pac-Man addict, and Timmy, a TRON addict are
also featured in this short film.