Tribeca Film Festival panel (2024) - Why do literary agents hesitate to represent BIPOC Deaf writers?

Expressions of Black Freedom

Please join Diverse Representation as we explore the various opportunities and challenges shaping the future of talent representation in the entertainment industry. Over the past five years, we have experienced historic labor union strikes, a global pandemic, tons of mergers and acquisitions, and the complete closure of entertainment companies, which have all contributed to the evolving role of agents and managers, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the impact of technology on talent discovery and promotion. Panelists will exchange insights on how some of these key themes are transforming the way talent is scouted, managed, and marketed. The conversation will also discuss the importance of ethical representation, fair compensation, and empowering talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

My summary with some swag here and there. You know how Queen Jade rolls.

Hello! I'm happy to be here. My name is Jade Bryan. I graduated from the Tisch School of Art in 1993. In fact, I am the first Black deaf filmmaker. I have been producing films for over 30 years. I am one of the 13,000 filmmakers who submitted their films in this year's festival. Unfortunately, we weren't selected. Not this year, maybe the next one.

However, this does not stop me from being here! Our episodic pilot, What Somalia Wants has won the Harlem spotlight at the Harlem International Film Festival two weeks ago. We're heading to SF Black Film Festival next week. Now about representation, the stories of the Black deaf experiences are the most untapped market.

My question is for all of you, what is stopping you from signing a Black deaf filmmaker/writer like myself from getting representation? I have been waiting for IAG to sign me up since January. What do you think is the big hold-up? Why are they taking so long?

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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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