About this project

A Bit About The Story:

Dreams come from the depths of one's heart and are best when shared and encouraged. Rachel, born with the abilities to see and hear, has deaf parents. When it's her turn to choose where to attend college, she feels torn and is afraid that her choice would cause pain to either herself or her parents. In her struggle to make the decision on her own, her parents can only remain silent for so long.

What I Want To Do:

"Listen To Me" will be shot in Southern California with a cast of deaf and hearing actors. Many of the shots are for a class project, but the short is something I've had my heart set on for a very long time. Inspired by a true story, it is a situation that many face though perhaps at different times in life. 

How I Plan To Do It:

I have already casted for the short film. My crew is coming together, and my locations are being negotiated. The long takes will be shot first and then, the rest of the short film. For safety, I will have an interpreter on set at all times! This is looking to be a two day shoot. One day for all of the family shots. Another day for all of the outside scenes. There are two talking scenes and four non-verbal scenes. Music will be added later to heighten the right moments.

This short will be shot as a deaf film and American Sign Language (ASL). Many of the frames are wider than most films the hearing culture sees because making the frame smaller means cutting out important information. In like manner, the music will add a different feel and be placed differently. 

What The Money Is for:

Though this is a short film, I hope to reach my goal so as to pay for certain crew members, feeding everyone, getting everyone to the location, equipment rentals, editing, music, screenings, and rewarding our sponsors! 

A Connection With The Director:

I grew up in the hearing culture but have always been deeply fascinated with the deaf culture. After graduating from college, I settled down at a nearby library and started taking classes at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. There, I learned ASL and had a lot of fun. When I started film school, I forgot much of it, but as I started meeting more deaf students, I found myself practicing on my own and communicating better and better with them. Finally, after watching, "Hear Me" (A Taiwanese deaf film), I wanted to make my own based on a friend's experience. And here I go...

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Thanks for taking the time to read about this short! Look forward to great updates, too!