A contemporary psychological thriller that will knock your socks off. Our democracy has all but collapsed, with a fringe republic now in control. A man who claims to be from the future has been sent to warn us – but is it too late for this man to help us help ourselves?
Read More About Book
our world is in peril.
truth is relative.
one man has come from the future
to warn us of the present.
hello, i’m Dr. Wayne C. Dees a Screenwriter
I am Dr. Wayne C Dees, a clinical neuropsychologist and an award-winning screenwriter turned novelist. This is my first novel, which was initially a short story and became an award-winning movie.
These are indeed troubling times. As a neuropsychologist for the past 20 years, I have become acutely aware of the increasing division among us, socially, emotionally as well as politically, which impacts us all.
I have been moved by the struggles we face, as well as the bitter and deep divisions between us, not only as Americans but universally. Deep-seated divides and increasingly stark disagreements between us have become more prevalent over the past ten years – relating to the economy, racial injustices, law enforcement, climate change, international engagement, core “American” values, Christian conservatism, and a long list of other issues which many fear may lead to lasting and irreparable harm to our democracy. ALTERED PERCEPTIONS delves into these issues and more contemporaneously.
Winner of the best Screenplay Award at the 2023 silicon beach film festival
about the book
ALTERED PERCEPTIONS is ultimately a love story, with an LGBTQ+ bent, but it is also a reflection of our universal and familial divisions. It is a story of the love between a father, Dr. Joseph Ferretti, and his son, Alex, who struggles with his own demons and longs to find acceptance from his father – both of whom are affectively and politically divided. The issues that divide this father and son are likely the same issues that divide our own families, our country, and our worldview.”
In this contemporary psychological thriller, with the country devastatingly divided both politically and socially, and the United States on the brink of possible Civil War, things begin to further deteriorate when the perceptions of many seemingly “normal people” begin to change dramatically, causing alterations in reality and behaviors that cannot be explained medically – perceptions so deadly and bizarre that modern science cannot begin to explain them.
about the
movie
ALTERED PERCEPTIONS is not your typical science fiction film. It’s a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of mental health, set in a post-apocalyptic world.
With its gripping storyline of an intergalactic prophet attempting to warn humans about the present and their impending doom– written by neuropsychologist Dr. Wayne Dees– the movie is an immersive experience that will leave viewers asking questions about their own perceptions of reality.
Director Jorge Ameer stated, “ALTERED PERCEPTIONS gives the viewer a glimpse into many provocative issues that may be obvious to some and intriguing to others, but we hope this motion picture experience will offer an entertaining look into the absurdities of some realities while hopefully inciting healthy discussion about our state of affairs.”
WINNER
Best Screenplay TLC Silicon Beach Film Festival
WINNER
Best Director Marina del Rey Film Festival
book reader reviews
Antheria2
"Altered Perceptions" will Knock your Socks Off! Dr. Wayne C. Dees, a neuropsychologist by profession, was inspired to write this narrative during the pandemic shutdown. As a scientist, Dees addresses current issues at hand with acumen. In this riveting thriller, a pandemic sweeps the nation in the face of civil unrest, rioting, and deepfake news. Adults over age 60 infected with the scourge experience extreme danger to themselves and others.
The characters… are likable despite their foibles. In the midst of the chaos and crisis, a time traveling prophet presents as a source of Inspiration. "Altered Perceptions" is an important film portraying the tenor of the times.
kdmcconn
What if Covid Were Coded as a Hate Virus? We may think to ourselves that the people we disagree with are "sick." Why do they believe such absurd things? What makes them act so strangely, and too often violently?
But what if all those people -- and more and more -- actually were sick with an unknown virus that turns the world on its head? This is the world of "Altered Perceptions."
As the virus rapidly spreads, and the entire country reels from its effects, a family of two gay fathers and their adult son struggle to cope in an existence where friends can suddenly become enemies and alliances can shift because of a brain infection.
The government and the health sector work on the growing problem, but as always, too slowly and inadequately. Can anything stop the spread?
vanostrander-54456
The horror beneath this rich and layered dystopian cautionary tale.“Altered Perceptions” is intense, amusing, shocking, and very real. A very unique and interesting painting. Within the obvious story lies many layers of what ifs with several obvious real-life characters bunched into the few that lead this narrative on our obsession with choosing morally bankrupt looney tunes to lead the country and the disastrous consequences of a total lack of critical thinking when it comes time to vote for your elected officials. The protagonists Alex is on a serious career path seeking his due without realizing the profound effects his professional choices will have on his personal/family life as they are ideologically contradicting. He will soon find out what happens when you choose to sell your soul to the devil and the outcome of what happens when you attempt to get it back, but it's too late because the devil may already have plans for you.
In this (work of fiction) the devil is deceiving, cunning, a bold face stare into your eyes, a liar who will trick constantly at will without observing any consequence associated with his actions. He may be neatly packaged as a biblical prophet who will make things right should you choose him/entrust him your vote and your support. The Devil here is personified as the person who will see to it that what he promised gets delivered twofold and swiftly without thinking of any lies, deceit, empty promises, or fraudulent or continuous proliferation of false statements that may affect or be the cause of extreme collateral damage. The scariest part of this (novel) is the foreshadowing - the way - the politician has already dutifully predicted several outcomes. This (novel) is what happens when crazy is left unchecked.
It is a harrowing tale based on our reality with one warning after another that if we don't wake up soon enough to see through the sewage being spoken daily for our ingestion by these marginalized fringe politicians.
andresteclaire
One of a kind!Entertaining, suspenseful, thrilling, and, at times, a little comedic. Altered Perceptions is fast-paced, thought-provoking with a storyline that faces many of the current challenges of modern-day society. How can we all be so connected, yet see things so differently? With access to more knowledge than ever, how can so many be misinformed? Be ready to laugh, cry, and everything between!
Tinatorabian
A Triller you don't want to miss..
The title captures the essence of a dystopian world where nothing is as it appears and the neurological impact of what happens to the human brain when the mind becomes toxic.
"Altered Perceptions" rides on a post-pandemic world where things are starting to become normal again, before realizing a darker deeper reality that has taken over humans minds.
Antheria2
"Altered Perceptions" will Knock your Socks Off! Dr. Wayne C. Dees, a neuropsychologist by profession, was inspired to write this narrative during the pandemic shutdown. As a scientist, Dees addresses current issues at hand with acumen. In this riveting thriller, a pandemic sweeps the nation in the face of civil unrest, rioting, and deepfake news. Adults over age 60 infected with the scourge experience extreme danger to themselves and others.
The characters… are likable despite their foibles. In the midst of the chaos and crisis, a time traveling prophet presents as a source of Inspiration. "Altered Perceptions" is an important film portraying the tenor of the times.
kdmcconn
What if Covid Were Coded as a Hate Virus? We may think to ourselves that the people we disagree with are "sick." Why do they believe such absurd things? What makes them act so strangely, and too often violently?
But what if all those people -- and more and more -- actually were sick with an unknown virus that turns the world on its head? This is the world of "Altered Perceptions."
As the virus rapidly spreads, and the entire country reels from its effects, a family of two gay fathers and their adult son struggle to cope in an existence where friends can suddenly become enemies and alliances can shift because of a brain infection.
The government and the health sector work on the growing problem, but as always, too slowly and inadequately. Can anything stop the spread?
vanostrander-54456
The horror beneath this rich and layered dystopian cautionary tale.“Altered Perceptions” is intense, amusing, shocking, and very real. A very unique and interesting painting. Within the obvious story lies many layers of what ifs with several obvious real-life characters bunched into the few that lead this narrative on our obsession with choosing morally bankrupt looney tunes to lead the country and the disastrous consequences of a total lack of critical thinking when it comes time to vote for your elected officials. The protagonists Alex is on a serious career path seeking his due without realizing the profound effects his professional choices will have on his personal/family life as they are ideologically contradicting. He will soon find out what happens when you choose to sell your soul to the devil and the outcome of what happens when you attempt to get it back, but it's too late because the devil may already have plans for you.
In this (work of fiction) the devil is deceiving, cunning, a bold face stare into your eyes, a liar who will trick constantly at will without observing any consequence associated with his actions. He may be neatly packaged as a biblical prophet who will make things right should you choose him/entrust him your vote and your support. The Devil here is personified as the person who will see to it that what he promised gets delivered twofold and swiftly without thinking of any lies, deceit, empty promises, or fraudulent or continuous proliferation of false statements that may affect or be the cause of extreme collateral damage. The scariest part of this (novel) is the foreshadowing - the way - the politician has already dutifully predicted several outcomes. This (novel) is what happens when crazy is left unchecked.
It is a harrowing tale based on our reality with one warning after another that if we don't wake up soon enough to see through the sewage being spoken daily for our ingestion by these marginalized fringe politicians.
andresteclaire
One of a kind!Entertaining, suspenseful, thrilling, and, at times, a little comedic. Altered Perceptions is fast-paced, thought-provoking with a storyline that faces many of the current challenges of modern-day society. How can we all be so connected, yet see things so differently? With access to more knowledge than ever, how can so many be misinformed? Be ready to laugh, cry, and everything between!
Tinatorabian
A Triller you don't want to miss..
The title captures the essence of a dystopian world where nothing is as it appears and the neurological impact of what happens to the human brain when the mind becomes toxic.
"Altered Perceptions" rides on a post-pandemic world where things are starting to become normal again, before realizing a darker deeper reality that has taken over humans minds.
