Posted by: Hilari Scarl
on Apr 26, 2009
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This has been a whirlwind. My last few nights in Los Angeles I felt there were angels all around me - the out of town strangers who bought me dinner, the people next to me on the plane who gave me cookies. After months of struggling with re-cutting the film and the financial burden that was overwhelming coupled with that decision, I start seeing signs everywhere that this decision is supported. Our original cut (which I am considering calling the director's cut) was accepted into the Rochester Deaf Film Festival and the Philadelphia Film Festival, acting as sneak preview/work in progress screenings.
I arrived in Rochester at 1:00 AM and found the festival director had fallen asleep in the car at the airport while waiting to pick me up. I knocked on the window to make sure it was her, knowing a hearing person would have woken up, then tried calling her cell phone to see if that would work. Nothing. Bingo - it was her. Leaving little choice, I gently rocked the car to wake her up. I startled the wits out of her, which embarrassed both of us upon our first face-to-face meeting in the middle of the night. She has done an amazing job putting this festival together, and I was honored that she drove out so late to personally greet me.
We drove to RIT and I stayed in the deaf-friendly NTID dorm housing. I love my door flasher! My colleague/intern/friend Julia Dameron was already there. We chatted for at least an hour, both excited about being there for the festival. The next day was filled with filmmaker workshops and a very cool reception at a unique artist space. I met filmmakers from around the world - Israel, Amsterdam, South Africa who were at the festival with their films. I was honored to be one of the few hearing filmmakers there.
Our screening on Saturday had a great turnout considering that we couldn't do any advertising because of our sneak preview status. I was filming the day's events which I later turned into a short video journey of our festivals. My original plan was to have a deaf team of filmmakers/editors to do this with me, but we don't have any funding so I am doing it myself. Hopefully I will meet a motivated filmmaker soon to join me. It was OK to hand the camera over to various friends as I jumped in front of the camera to explain what was going on. A bit awkward - I need to figure this out. After the film Robert DeMayo, Julia and I went out with friends and other filmmakers to an Irish bar and had a chance to have fun. I had a great conversation with Ryan Commerson, a filmmaker working with Wayne Betts who is currently screening his master's thesis around the country.
Posted by: Hilari Scarl
on Mar 30, 2009
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I've spent the last 3 months doing private test screenings and focus group screenings before any public screenings. Everyone loves the film, but we are making some changes to make the film even better. I have a great team on board helping me, including my new supervising editor Tom Miller and his editor Morgan Stiff. I love the new changes of the film! This new version will be ready very soon.
My test screenings have continued, including a small showing at the Rochester Deaf Film Festival, which showcased films done by deaf filmmakers. I got some terrific feedback and feel very strongly supported by the deaf community. I am hoping to have a formal screening of the film in Rochester in the fall of 2009 along with some educational workshops, and made some great new connections who are working with me to make this happen. The best part of the weekend was meeting deaf filmmakers from all over the world who had their films screen in Rochester, including filmmakers from Israel, South Africa and Amsterdam. I am extremely excited about what is happening in deaf cinema and strongly support these new visionaries.
I am off to Philadelphia for another test screening/sneak preview of our old cut. I am glad that these audiences are helping to shape the final vision of the film, and am grateful for all of the incredible support.
I will continue to keep everyone posted on what is happening. Thanks for following our journey!
Posted by: Hilari Scarl
on Feb 25, 2009
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I am so very happy to announce some sneak preview screenings of SEE WHAT I'M SAYING at the Philadelphia Film Festival at the end of March and a screening at the Rochester Deaf Film Festival. You will have a chance to see our work in progress gearing up to a world premiere of the film later this year. I am waiting on details from all of these screenings such as exact dates and locations to add to our website and send out in our newsletter announcement.
I am very excited about all of this news and will post details the moment I get them.
Here we go!!
