Reflections Through a DeafLens

Greetings,

This month's Zoom web TV edition showcases the recent Deaf in the Picture film festival in Amsterdam.

The latest edition features interviews with the festival organizer, Tony Bloem as well as some of the filmmakers.

For background information on the film festival, click on Deaf in Picture website.  

Zoom web TV is the brainchild of filmmaker Con Mehlum and Ipek Mehlum, both of Norway. Con is the filmmaker and Ipek does the interviews and manages the Zoom website. Many thanks to Con and Ipek. It is through Zoom that we're able to stay tuned!

Jane

Greetings,

Exciting news! Gallaudet University's Goya: en la Quinta del Sordo, a student theatre production, has been selected for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Willy Conley and Iosif Schneiderman (renowned Russian Deaf actor) co-wrote the play. Conley also directed the production. Ethan Sinnott designed the set.  To see a video clip of the production, click here.

Congratulations Willy, Iosif and Ethan and all those involved in making the production possible. Way to go!

Jane

Greetings,

In between teaching and working on projects, I try to stay abreast of new discoveries on the Internet. I'm particularly excited about my latest find, Tommy Motswai. I'm blown away by his use of color and ability to capture the complexities of a moment. I'm sure you'll agree.

While I'm constantly seeking Deaf artists' websites, I do stay faithful to those I'm familiar with. One in particular is Susan Dupor's website.  Over the years I've followed her work and find her view of the world exciting and relevant.  Artists have the power to see and articulate truth in ways that can either hit us right between the eyes or bring tranquility into our souls.

Raymond Luczak, another favorite of mine, is coming out with a new book, Men With Their Hands. Check out his blog; he's not only a prolific writer (I've lost count!) but a playwright and filmmaker. He also is a strong advocate of Deaf artists. Check out his website. Many of us regularly read his column on Deaf artists in SignNews.

The Deaf Film Festival in Wolverhampton, England just completed its ninth Deaf film and TV festival in Wolverhampton, England. Is this the oldest continuous Deaf Film Festival in the world? I've heard that European Deaf people had film festivals during the 1940's. Does anybody know if this is true? I'm sure many of us would love to know.

Charlie Swinbourne's Four Deaf Yorkshiremen (Grumpy Old Deafies, U.K.) was part of the Deaffest.  The film received a nomination for best British film. The winner was Coming Out, a comedy written by Charlie Swinbourne and directed by Louis Neethling. Congratulations Charlie and Louis!

Mark Wood's Wrong Game is currently touring the U.S. Catch the film when it comes to your town.

NTID/RIT recently announced its Deaf-Themed Literacy Contest. NTID/RIT is seeking literary works about the Deaf experience. Top winners and honorable mentions will have their works published in an NTID/RIT Literary Works website. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2008.

Marlee Matlin is currently committed to Sweet Nothing in My Ear, a CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie scheduled for release in April 2008. Kudos to Deaf Casting for their work in providing casting support.

There's much going on with Deaf artists and I'm having a good time trying to keep up! I hope you are too!

Stay tuned,

Jane

Greetings,

Recently I was interviewed by Paul Kahn, editor of Opening Stages, a newsletter produced by Washington, D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts at http://www.kennedy-center.org.  I thought I'd share the interview (click on the word "interview") with you. Opening Stages is a quarterly newsletter for people with disabilities pursuing careers in the performing arts. I'm hoping that you will subscribe to the newsletter. In working with our hearing allies, we can together make a difference in building access and opportunities for Deaf professionals in theatre, television, film and visual arts.

I'm interested in your comments and suggestions and look forward to hearing from you.

Jane