*This article originally appeared on the WordPress blog forum last March 16th linked to the DeafRead.com. It somewhat didn't appeared on the DeafRead at all. I tweaked my blog posting a little for more updated info.*
TIBIDITS ON 'THROUGH DEAF EYES", UPCOMING PBS DOCUMENTARY:
POSTPRODUCTION AND REVIEW
PBS-TV's "Thru Deaf Eyes", 2 hours-long documentary was originally slated to be an one hour long programming. It had been in the production development for 5 years and completed before the Unity for Gally (UFG) protest erupted last Spring 2006. The total budget spending on the making of "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary was estimated $600,000 plus related expenses for online postings. Approximately 30 people involved in the production of "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary. No content listings for this documentary found on the PBS's official website or links in any way.
After viewing the 45-minutes excrepts of "Thru Deaf Eyes" out of 2 hours-long documentary with other prominent deaf individuals at the Library of Congress last March 13th, 2007. Such a mixed feelings about this first-known documentary about deaf people on the national level devoted to the understanding and appreciation of Deaf American Community and its diversity.
Surprisingly, the respectable and well-known hearing Gallaudet history professor, Dr. John Van Cleve spoke orally without signing at all. He also appeared without his owlish eyeglasses on one of the "oral history" segement. Van Cleve fluently signed in SimCom at Gallaudet University. Why hasn't Dr. Van Cleve (JVC) signed on the national television?
Another disappointed segement with the beloved culturally deaf author of "Deaf Hertiage", Dr. Jack Gannon and his wife, Alice. Gannon dressed sloppily like having part of his flannel shirt hung out while the right side of it inside the pant. Where were the PBS or Gallaudet University people assisted Dr. Gannon and other deaf interviewees looking best on the national television? Kinda feel bad for Gannon.
Dr. Jack Gannon is known for his folksy and easygoing Midwestern attitude. He probably do not care much about his appearance. Everyone love Jack Gannon!
Marlee Maltin, Oscar-winning actress expressed her personal experience about the sole incident with the hearing television interviewer somewhere. She was going to be the camera-ready for the interview.but the interviewer popped "My dog is deaf, too". Maltin ended up with the "dumbfounded" looks on the camera. Very common experience for us, deaf people dealing with such ignorance and stupidity from the society at large.
Gallaudet University "Deaf Studies" Professor, Dr. Ben Bahn's personal recollection of his deaf parents were real touching. He appreciated his culturally deaf father more after studying linguistics of American Sign Language (ASL). Bahn finally realized how intelligent his culturally deaf father really was.
Frances Parson, deaf attendee at the Library of Congress' viewing of "Thru Deaf Eyes", asked a simple question to the PBS producers whether this documentary will cover the history of "Combined System" in deaf schools of the deaf. The producer replied "Yes".
Robert L. Mason (RLM) asked an question before Frances Parson and other deaf questioners whether this documentary covered the recent "Unity for Gallaudet" protest or not. The head producer responded "Thank God! We finished the documentary before the recent UFG protest." His answer somewhat bothered me. What do you really think?
There will be the DVD sale of "Through Deaf Eyes" next release date - May 2, 2007 - $24.99 which is surprisingly inexpensive for PBS video retail sales. It will include six artistic works by Deaf media artists internally woven thru the entire documentary on DVD. Unlike the broadcast of "Thru Deaf Eyes". Those Deaf media artists' visual artworks will be seen after the end of documentary on most PBS stations.
Another PBS retail; material for "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary is the hardcover book - 'Through Deaf Eyes: A Photographic History of an American Deaf Community, $40, sale date - 3/21/07.
For more info regarding "Through Deaf Eyes" television documentary and DVD/book sales, check out http://www.pbs.org/
ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM), originally posted 3/16/07, then 3/21/07
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
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