News and Events

SELECTED NEWS STORIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

As a service to clients and associates of Davideo Productions, news stories and announcements can be found on this page. Contact Davideo Productions for consideration of news items.

JOURNEY THROUGH DEAF TEXAS

Austin, TX- The Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD) and Davideo Productions hosted its world premiere of a documentary film about TAD on June 11, 2009 at the Buena Vista Theatre located at University of Texas-San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.

JOURNEY THROUGH DEAF TEXAS chronicles the history of TAD since its inception in 1886 and its historic accomplishments that have had an impact on deaf and hard of hearing Texans. This film kicked off the 45th biennial TAD conference at the El Tropicana Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio on June 12 & 13, 2009.

This film took more than two years to produce and was made possible through a grant from the Travis County Council of the Deaf and subsequent funding from TAD. The film was co-produced, directed, and edited by David H. Pierce who has worked in the television industry for 24 years.

Stephen C. Baldwin, Ph.D., president of TAD, co-producer, writer, and researcher of the film, says that "the film is not all about politics and legislative endeavors, but it has sentimental moments about leadership, failures, triumphs, ignorance, apathy and the need to continue to work on making lives better for the Texas Deaf Community."

Additional funding will be raised for further distribution of the film as well as the production of a book to accompany the film.

Texas Association of the Deaf is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1886 to safeguard the rights of deaf and hard of hearing Texans.

More information on booking this film for your area can be found at www.deaftexas.org

COMPANY ESTABLISHED TO TEACH ACADEMIC
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE TO DEAF PEOPLE

Austin, TX - Educational consulting company Academic ASL Approach, LLC (A3) is gearing up to assist K-12 and postsecondary schools in establishing effective academic ASL-driven bilingual Deaf education programs through workshops, assessments and programming development.

"Historically, Deaf students have been required to master English before they achieve a metalinguistic understanding of their natural, first language - which is American Sign Language (ASL)," said Erika Domatti-Thomas, A3 co-owner. "As a result, Deaf students miss an essential component in language learning when faced with the challenging task of learning a second, auditory-based language."

She added, "Having ASL as a first language is crucial to the acquisition of English as a second language. Yet Deaf ASL users do not receive this training. Rather, they are expected to learn academic English without academic ASL training."

Don Miller, A3 co-owner, agrees. "We Deaf signers need to take ownership of ASL by having an in-depth, full understanding of its grammar. After all, Deaf people have the right to be literate in ASL."

A3 is one of the ways Domatti-Thomas and Miller hope to work with schools to add academic ASL to their current language program through curriculum and trainings at schools. Both Domatti-Thomas and Miller are college instructors who have been instrumental in developing curriculum for and teaching academic ASL to Deaf students for several years. Both also bring K-12 teaching and curriculum development experience to A3.

A3's workshops, based on three years of empirical data and many years of experience, include a brief review of language theory, formalized academic ASL training for the classroom, academic ASL grammar and curriculum development, and academic ASL within the English classroom. A3 also offers other types of services, including assessments and consulting, ideal for K-12 teachers and administrators, along with Deaf education instructors and/or students. "Through trial and error, and curriculum planning and teaching, we've developed skill frameworks, assessments, teaching techniques, and technology tools that really work," Domatti-Thomas said.

"A3 was formed after we both realized that there was very little training available to school administrators, teachers, and even interpreters on establishing and implementing formal academic ASL in schools," Miller said. "A3 fills this gap through various services and trainings that have been carefully crafted and researched. As a result, we've had a tremendous response, and are looking forward to working with even more schools and universities across the nation."

For more information, please visit www.academicaslapproach.com.

DEAF YOGA DVD RELEASED

Austin, TX - Yoga is now among the most popular choices for exercise in the U.S., with six percent of Americans practicing a regular yoga routine. Yet the 5,000-year-old practice hasn't quite experienced the same popularity in the deaf community - and Lila Lolling is changing that.

As a traditional Hatha yoga instructor, Lolling brings yoga to deaf people and signers through her workshops, retreats and new DVD. She's established Deaf Yoga, a company dedicated to sharing the traditional teachings of yoga with people who sign.

Yoga, which means union, is known for its ability to strengthen, detoxify and rejuvenate a person's mind, body and spirit. For years, deaf people have been shut out of yoga classes and events because they've never been considered when establishing studio programs, national yoga retreats or even yoga teacher training courses, said Lolling, who is hearing. She noted that while some yoga teacher training courses provide information on different types of accommodations, very few focus on teaching yoga to a deaf person. There is often frustration when deaf people try to explore yoga and try to follow along with an instructor who knows little about how to communicate the yoga experience to a deaf person. It's my hope that through Deaf Yoga's programs, hearing instructors will learn how to enhance yoga for deaf people, and also that deaf individuals will be able to teach yoga classes.

One such obstacle facing a deaf yoga student is during shavasana, where participants are asked to lie on their backs, close their eyes and listen to the teacher's soothing instructions. Deaf participants often end up opening their eyes repeatedly to see if everyone else is still in their poses and still missing the teacher's instructions. What I do instead is I give instructions before they are to go into a pose, and then dim the lights. When the lights are turned back up, they know it's time to come out of meditation or the yoga pose, Lolling explained. Simple adjustments like this make yoga accessible. Part of Deaf Yoga's mission is to educate others about such accommodations. This awareness empowers the deaf community to participate in yoga events and classes.

Yoga's basic principles are introduced on the Deaf Yoga for Beginners DVD, produced by deaf-owned Davideo Productions. Yoga students are introduced to practical information on how to breathe properly, the history of yoga, energy systems and more.

The DVD, ideal for yoga beginners, also includes originally composed music by ChocolateMedia.com and is subtitled, according to a chuckling Lolling, for the signing-impaired.

The goal is to make yoga accessible to deaf people and signers, so that they can take their home experience into a yoga studio, she added. "Deaf Yoga for Beginners was created with the intention that someone hearing could invite a deaf friend over to practice yoga together, or vice versa. It's also a way for deaf parents to practice yoga with their hearing children or for interpreters who want to learn basic yoga signs."

Deaf Yoga also offers a community forum on its web site at www.DeafYoga.com.The forum is really for everyone - deaf, hard of hearing, hearing, signers, and anyone who wants to get involved in the deaf and yoga communities, Lolling said. The forum is also a place for yoga teachers who have deaf students to post their events. I've received emails from as far away places as Germany, England, Australia, and France, all asking about events in their areas. The forum provides a centralized place for everyone to come together. Plus, it's a great place for yoga enthusiasts to share methods, ideas, and news.

Deaf Yoga is generating quite a bit of publicity and interest, having been featured recently on Chicago's ABC WLS-7 News and in the November 2005 issue of Yoga International. I'm really trying to get the word out about how we need to have more yoga classes that include deaf people, because I've seen firsthand the impact of yoga upon deaf people, Lolling said. It's such a great feeling being able to share what I love and know. I await the day I go to a yoga class and learn from someone who is deaf. That'll be the day I feel my service has made a difference.

Please visit www.DeafYoga.com

DEAF MEDIA GROUP ON YAHOO

A new discussion group entitled Deaf Media Group has launched on Yahoo which is a forum for professionals, amateurs, and hobbyists interested in forms of Deaf Media, including film and television. Discussions, news, and job opportunities can be posted by members who join the group. Visit the site at Deaf Media Group.

NEW ACCESSIBLE FILM ON DVD

Seguin, TX - Deaf and hard of hearing people will now be able to enjoy MANNA FROM HEAVEN, a movie released on DVD by MGM Productions, thanks to a joint effort between Davideo Productions and Five Sisters Productions. "With the captioning of this film for deaf and hard of hearing people, this will allow them to enjoy independent films just like anyone else," said David H. Pierce, CEO of Davideo Productions.

MANNA FROM HEAVEN is a heartwarming story about finding hope at any age. With comparisons to movies such as MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, this prize-winning comedic fable is about what happens when a "gift from God" a financial windfall turns out to be a loan due immediately. The PG-rated film also has a star-studded cast that includes Oscar-winning actresses Shirley Jones, Cloris Leachman and Louise Fletcher.

When the film was picked up by MGM, the studio had no funds to close-caption the movie. So Five Sisters Productions, who produced MANNA, decided to cover the costs themselves. "Five Sisters wants to make this accessible to the 28 million people who are deaf and hard of hearing," said producer Ursula Burton, who went to high school with Pierce. She first learned about the deaf community when she was part of a play that included a deaf actor. "When I spoke with Louise Fletcher about her parents being deaf, it moved me to think about how to bring the film to deaf and hard of hearing people so they could enjoy the movie along with hearing people."

"Captioning is a simple yet powerful way to bring accessibility to individuals who have a hearing loss," said Pierce, who is deaf. "Davideo works hard to bring this type of basic but essential accessibility to films, and I'm pleased we're able to provide this film for purchase on our website."

"Each person's buying a DVD is, in essence, casting a 'vote' for more films like that," said director Maria Burton. "Now, it will really be up to audiences to send a message to Hollywood that they want more films with this kind of cast, more films with captioning, and in short, more films like MANNA."

Five Sisters Productions is helmed by five sisters: Maria, Jennifer, Ursula, Gabrielle and Charity. MANNA FROM HEAVEN, directed by Maria and Gabrielle, was written by their mother, award-winning screenwriter Gabrielle B. Burton, and co-produced by their father, former jazz musician Roger Burton.

To purchase MANNA FROM HEAVEN, go to PRODUCTS.

DIGITAL CINEMA INITIATIVES (DCI) ANNOUNCES SPECIFICATIONS FOR DIGITAL CINEMA

Hollywood, CA - Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI) has completed the final overall system requirements and specifications to help theatrical projector and equipment manufacturers create uniform and compatible digital cinema equipment throughout the United States, it was announced today by Walt Ordway, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Cinema Initiatives.

"After three years of careful planning, discussion and reaching out to all the various constituencies who make up our industry, DCI member studios are pleased to have reached unanimous agreement on the necessary overall system requirements and specifications for digital cinema," said Ordway. "We now have a unified specification that will allow manufacturers to create products that will be employable at movie theatres throughout the country and, it is hoped, throughout the world. In fact, the specification is being translated for international markets."

"These specifications should provide a common ground to spur innovation and encourage many more players who were previously resistant to invest capital in technology that may or may not have been viable," said Ordway. "And as the market gets more competitive, the price of the equipment and its installation - previously thought to be a major barrier to digital cinema - will become increasingly affordable, to the point where that stumbling block should no longer be of consequence."

DCI member studios and industry leaders hailed this long-awaited development, which will be applicable to both 2K and 4K resolutions.

"Twentieth Century Fox will release all of its theatrical feature film digital content in full compliance with the DCI specification," Bruce Snyder, President Domestic Distribution, and Paul Hanneman, Executive Vice President Sales and Strategic Planning Twentieth Century Fox International, said in a joint statement. "For the industry to flourish and to provide a smooth transition to an all digital future, it is essential there be one digital distribution and exhibition format. That format is the DCI specification."

"With this essential specification now in place, Warner Bros. now plans that by the end of 2005 we will be releasing our movies in two formats: 35mm film and DCI digital cinema," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "Having the DCI spec in place is a big step forward in the global distribution of digital films. We look to this standard to be used in our International releases," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President, Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures International.

"Sony Pictures completely supports the work done by DCI on the digital cinema technical specifications. We look forward to releasing our feature films digitally to cinemas deploying digital cinema systems compliant with the DCI specifications worldwide," said Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment and President, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.

"Universal Pictures is pleased that a unified format has come to fruition as this will allow both moviegoers and studios to enjoy the benefits of the digital cinema experience," added Nikki Rocco, President, Distribution for Universal Pictures. "DCI has worked tirelessly to create an approved uniform standard that will provide our industry a level of satisfaction regarding how films are being shown in the digital format."

John Fithian, President of the National Organization of Theater Owners (NATO), stated, "This spec, created over the past three years by DCI with input from exhibitors and vendors, is an important step toward making digital cinema a reality. With this piece now in place, we look forward to working with all the involved parties to achieve our mutual goal - bringing the best possible moviegoing experience to the consumer."

"This is an important milestone in the advancement of the theatrical motion picture," commented Frank Pierson, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president. "In its first hundred years our art form made a forceful universal impression, at least partly because worldwide standards for projecting film were adopted early on. The next hundred years are likely to be similarly affected by DCI's work in defining how digital motion pictures will be presented to world audiences."

"Standardized digital theater equipment is as significant to motion picture exhibition as DVD was for the home video industry," said John Lasseter, Executive Vice President, Pixar Animation Studios. Mr. Lasseter directed Toy Story 2, the first film in motion picture history to be entirely created, mastered and exhibited digitally. "Even the best film presentation starts to wear out after a few weeks, but with digital cinema the last screening is as pristine as the first. DCI's new universal standard will enable audiences to see Pixar's digitally rendered films with the same consistency of color, detail, and resolution the world over."

Internationally, the announcement was greeted with equal support. The UK National Film Trust released the following statement: "The completion of the DCI specification is a major milestone for all digital cinema efforts around the world. The NFT's Digital Test Bed (UK) supports and will continue playing an active role in the efforts to see the specification turned into standards that will help make high-end digital cinema a large scale reality in the UK, Europe and in the rest of the world."

Ordway concluded "We have finally reached a consensus that all of our various constituencies can not only live with, but should also embrace. Studios, exhibitors, and most important of all, the audiences who love movies will now be able to enjoy all the benefits and possibilities that digital cinema offers."

Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI) was created in March 2002 and is a joint venture of Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal and Warner Bros. Studios. DCI's primary purpose is to establish and document voluntary specifications for an open architecture for digital cinema that ensures a uniform and high level of technical performance, reliability and quality control.

INTERNATIONAL FILM SHOWCASE LAUNCHES IN SEGUIN

Seguin, TX- Davideo Productions, in association with the Chicago Institute for the Moving Image and InSight Cinema, presented an international film showcase, "Cinema For Everyone" at the historic Palace Theatre in Seguin, Texas. This was the first of an ongoing series.

David H. Pierce, chief executive officer of Davideo Productions, a broadcast television and motion picture film company in Seguin, says that "this showcase provides a unique theatrical experience that can be fully enjoyed by people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing. Whether the film is a Hollywood blockbuster or an independent film in sign language there is full accessibility by captions and/or voice so everyone can walk in the theater and enjoy it." Pierce, who was born deaf, has worked in the television and film industry for 20 years.

Today's theatrical releases are generally not accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions provide this access. Additionally, they help people who are learning English and improve overall literacy. Pierce adds, "although there are a limited number of captioned films available in theaters across the country, their schedules remain sporadic."

"Cinema For Everyone" presents accessible programs including silent classics, open captioned Hollywood films, deaf/sign language films, and independent/foreign films with subtitles. Joshua Flanders, executive director of the Chicago Institute for the Moving Image (CIMI), says, "for people who can hear and do not know sign language, the deaf/sign language films are fully accessible through voice-over narration or open captions. The result is to experience a rich, new culture previously unavailable. It also provides deaf people the rare opportunity to be exposed to films in their own language." CIMI has presented international deaf film festivals across the country for the past three years.

InSight Cinema, based in Southern California, has provided open captioned feature films to theaters nationally for the past 20 years. Nanci-Linke Ellis, executive director of InSight Cinema, says "captioned films are targeted to 30 million people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and whose second language is English. The films are now being shown in hundreds of theaters across the country but our goal is to have accessible films available at all times."

The Palace Theatre, founded in 1948, is owned and operated by Dan Daniels, a longtime veteran in the theater industry, says "I'm thrilled to be involved in bringing this program to Seguin. In 1930, in fact, my father owned the Texas Theatre, and was a pioneer by providing headphones for the hard of hearing. I guess you could say we were ahead of the times."

"Cinema For Everyone" had its first showcase on March 3-6, 2005. Films that were shown were Disney-Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES with open captions, a Japanese film entitled I LOVE YOU in Japanese sign language with open captions in English, the 1924 silent classic THIEF OF BAGDAD with Douglas Fairbanks , and a collection of five international shorts produced by deaf filmmakers.

ASLingo: NEW SIGN LANGUAGE GAME

Austin, TX- In addition to videotapes, DVDs, and books on the market about American Sign Language, people now can also play ASLingo, a new board game that combines handshapes and English words for a fun, lively game. "ASLingo offers an ASL teacher the opportunity to utilize an effective means to motivate the students in a fun-filled way without the regular classroom pressure. The ASL students do not have to memorize the handshapes or signs, but can learn ASL in an indirect way that comes naturally to the eager learner, said Becky Gage, creator of the game.

ASLingo is similar to the game Bingo, using handshapes in place of the traditional numbers to represent various signs such as ROLLERBLADES or WISE. Gage, who is Deaf, came up with the idea during the 1996-1997 academic year as a Deaf Studies teacher at the Metro Deaf School in St. Paul, Minn. I had to think of a game to keep the kids and families entertained during the Deaf Awareness Week. All of them loved the idea and encouraged me to convert it into the real thing! I never had the time or money to do it until now," explained Gage, who is now a math teacher at the Texas School for the Deaf.

Gage consulted with Davideo Productions, who led her to MJS Creations of Las Vegas. The company, a leading game maker, agreed to produce the game, and Gage's idea became an actual product. ASLingo comes in an attractive, sturdy box that includes black tokens, playing cards and game boards illustrating various handshapes. Instructions and samples are clearly shown on the back of the game box.

Marcus R. Myers, director of Del Mar College's Interpreter Preparation Program in Corpus Christi, Texas, played the game and visualized how it would help his students at different levels. ASLingo is a practical breakaway activity for ASL classes to build rapport and provide practice in mastering the handshape parameter, he stated.

"As a professional involved in the ASL field, I am always looking for new ideas to bring to the ASL classroom, said Amy June Rowley, coordinator of ASL Programs & Clinical Associate Professor University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I played this game and thought it was fantastic. It is a great way for the novice signers to learn ASL signs and a great way for native signers to play a game in their own language.

"ASLingo is also an age-friendly and family-friendly game for deaf and hearing players, added Gage. I am looking forward to it coming out in October! It is like a dream come true."

For ordering information or more details, please visit www.ASLingo.com.

(Distributed by T.S. Writing Services)

DEAF-OWNED WRITING COMPANY PROVIDES SERVICES IN ASL AND ENGLISH

Faribault, MN - T.S. Writing Services, founded in June 2003, works with both deaf and hearing people in a variety of areas, using written English and/or American Sign Language (ASL). We have a great pool of writers, graphic designers, and other professionals, Suggs, who is deaf, said. Some of their services include writing, editing, translations, public relations, and training.

We handle communications for corporations such as producing brochures, newsletters, and training manuals, Suggs added. Many of our writers come from corporate or nonprofit backgrounds and have an in-depth understanding of what companies or agencies need.

The company also works with individuals nationally and internationally. We often translate into English what people sign to us, or provide ASL translations for hearing individuals, Suggs said. Our willingness to use webcam and videophone technology for meetings and discussions has proven to be a wonderful tool for many individuals, especially those who don't have easy access to ASL in their areas.

Most projects are completed within 24 to 48 hours. Suggs said, "We realize that people often turn to us in times of need or stress, so we strive to reduce the stress level by doing what they need immediately. We are interested in providing the best possible service with quick and high-quality results."

For more information, visit their website at www.tswriting.com