Why are VRS Providers funding white deaf filmmakers?

Veteran Deaf Filmmaker of Color has a message about all Video Relay Service (VRS) Providers supporting deaf white privilege filmmakers. A couple months ago, I have involved the people in the Deaf community to participate in an online forum via social media and asked three questions:

1. List all Deaf/ASL-related films that were sponsored by VRS companies either in the past or currently.

2. How many of these films were made by Deaf People of Color or professional Deaf Filmmakers of Color?

3. How many of these films addressed issues regarding Diversity, Intersectionalities and People of Color? I look forward to receiving responses. Any negative or hateful comments will be removed. There is no room for that. Thank you!

What is VRS? http://www.fcc.gov/guides/video-relay...

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The Co-option of Deaf Talent® Movement (2012)©

The Deaf Talent ® Movement, founded by the first Black Deaf Filmmaker/Activist, Jade Bryan in 2012, is a social and cultural icon centralized on spreading awareness about the lack of representation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) in television and film. However, Black Deaf actors, writers, producers, and Black Deaf stories are the most overlooked in getting recognition in film and television. This movement began on multiple online and real-life platforms, starting with social media. Jade Bryan created a social media platform by using Twitter and Facebook to spread awareness of the need for better representation in television and film before moving her movement to the streets. (See press release from 2012) A close-knit of Black and POC Deaf Activists from the Deaf community and actors cast in Jade Bryan’s film, The Shattered Mind , (formerly known as The Double Life of Zhane Rain ), met up and campaigned in the streets. The movement ...

DEAF TALENT®

DEAF TALENT® © Copyright Thank you for dropping by to support a social issue and fundraising cause so we can produce our movie, "The Double Life of Zhane Rain." (The title has now changed to "The Shattered Mind.") Our goal is to spread and spreading awareness that we need more Deaf Talent ® (of Color) in the mainstream movie industry and in television. That's why as a writer, I am producing a movie by us and about us because nobody is going to do it for us. We want to attract media attention and let the world know what we are trying to do. We're very tired of being overlooked and not having our voices heard. (See press release from 2012) We're planning a Deaf Talent® Movement for change in film and TV by using hashtags support #DEAFTALENT®, #POCDEAFTALENT, #DEAFBLACKFILM, #DEAFERSITY, or #DEAFTALENTSOFCOLOR to spread awareness and representation about our film, The Double Life of Zhane Rain, written by first...

CES in LAS VEGAS 2012

Open the Gates – With more than 31 football fields of show space, CES attendees have to crowd in opening day and walk themselves ragged in hopes of not just seeing all the show but seeing what will win/fail big in the coming year. While a few folks have said CES is on its last leg, we wonder if they were at the same show we were this month. More than 3,100 exhibitors squeezed into a mere 1.861 million net square feet (31+ football fields) of exhibit space and the show drew more than 153,000 attendees. Below is another video clip in lower quality shot from an iPad, more appropriate and accessible to the sign language consumers. CES UNVEILED FOR THE PRESS! Media and analysts line up to enter CES Unveiled, the Official Press Event of the International CES, for pre-show look at new products. Luckily, I didn't have to stand in line! My interpreters were already inside, waiting for me. Delish reception! Food/beer first! Interview later!...

MICA SCOOP

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