The Halifax Explosion - The Deaf Experience

WATCH [CC] - Documentary film explores experience of the Deaf community during Halifax Explosion.

HALIFAX, NS -- MetroNews: Film examines why everyone at the Halifax School for the Deaf survived despite damage and weather that followed the disaster. The 1917 Halifax Explosion has been the subject of numerous movies and books.

But the disaster as experienced by the Deaf community has been relatively unknown.

That’s why Linda Campbell and Jim McDermott, who are both Deaf, decided to co-produce a documentary film to highlight that story.

‘Halifax Explosion: The Deaf Experience’ should be ready for viewing in time for the 100-year commemoration of the event on Dec. 6, 2017.

“Nova Scotia actually has a long history of inclusiveness when it comes to the Deaf community and our allies,” explained Linda Campbell.

“Upon learning that the Deaf community's experiences during the Halifax Explosion is so poorly documented despite a wealth of books, movies and published stories about this important event, we felt it was necessary to preserve some of those stories for sharing.”

Campbell and McDermott agreed to an interview, but it had to be conducted via email as they both communicate using American Sign Language.

When collecting information for the film, Campbell said they were surprised to learn everyone in the Halifax School for the Deaf survived the explosion, despite how badly damaged the school was.

“It was so close to the zone of maximum damage that every single window shattered, plaster ceilings collapsed and doors flew off their hinges. Many people got badly cut by the flying glass,” Campbell explained.

“Yet only two boys were hurt badly enough to go to the hospital. Not only that, there was a bad blizzard with freezing temperatures right after the explosion occurred, and many people across Halifax died from exposure. Even so, no one in the (school), student or staff, died from the cold."

She said the film examines why everyone survived despite the damage, the shock, and the weather.

It will also introduce people to Maritimes Sign Language.

“Many people in Nova Scotia do not know we have our own distinctive sign language, Maritimes Sign Language (MSL) which is syntactically and grammatically distinct from American Sign Language (ASL),” Campbell explained.

“Unfortunately, MSL as a language is fading out, although you can still see old MSL signs being used during ASL conversations every day here. Our film will include examples of MSL signs and dialogue as a part of our storytelling process.”

McDermott said the documentary will include a mix of historical photographs, narration, and interviews with older members of the deaf community who attended the Halifax School for the Deaf.

Despite funding from municipal and provincial grants, the project requires additional funding. At press time they were just $100 shy of their initial crowdfunding goal on their IndieGoGo page.

“While we are nearing our stated goal, we do hope to raise at least $5,000 to cover post-production costs,” McDermott said.

SOURCE - MetroNews

Deaf Hockey Documentary 'Ice and Quiet'

WATCH [CC] - Canadian Film 'Ice & Quiet' A Deaf Hockey Documentary.

TORONTO -- Imagine living without hearing. You'd miss the sounds of the world - music, laughter, traffic noises as you try to cross the road, a friend shouting out in the street behind you, the roar of a crowd at a hockey game.

Even the whistle of the referee or call of your teammates as you tried to play. Would you even try to play?

But what if there was a way you could despite this? What if Deaf hockey was a thing?... Oh wait, it is. And it's got an exciting story we want to share with the world.

The Ontario Deaf Hockey Association was founded in 2011 to bring Deaf and Hearing individuals and athletes together and provide pathways in sport and hockey for Deaf athletes in the province. As our athletes prepare for the Deaflympics (yeah, that's also a thing), we're putting together a documentary about Deaf hockey to help build awareness of the sport and garner support for the love of the game.

And also just because it a fascinating topic, right?

As part of the documentary, we've partnered with many different organizations including the Hockey Hall of Fame, Glide, Karbon Sports, CrossIceHockey, Epic Toronto and Kobe Sportswear.

It's going to be an intriguing and arousing short documentary with game footage along with some fan interviews. But before we can put it all together, we need your help Raising CA$3,000 to cover things like equipment, location and interpreter costs. The remaining amount will be put back into the Ontario Deaf Hockey Association to ensure that the program's success to help athletes accomplish their dreams of playing hockey and representing their province and later, Team Canada at the Deaflympics. Sign up to donate HERE.

So if you love hockey, are curious about a different version of the game or just want to be involved in an exciting documentary that will score goals at film festivals, here's your chance to get involved. We've got some great perks for all your generous support and because we're still in production there's even opportunity to be interviewed on screen... Read The Full Story.

Related Posts: #DeafCanadians

Deaf Film 'Seen & Heard' Campaign Video

The film projects 'Seen & Heard' campaign video on Vimeo.

MONTREAL -- We've launched an Indiegogo campaign for this new documentary (currently in production) that shines a spotlight on Deaf and Hard of Hearing actors in a unique hearing/ Deaf collaboration.

Seen and Heard is an entertaining and eye-opening documentary, currently in production, that takes viewers backstage and into the lives and challenges of a unique mixed Deaf and hearing theatre group mounting a big new performance!

Seen and Heard is a new thought-provoking documentary currently being filmed following the backstage and performance exploits of a unique Canadian amateur theatre group where Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing cast and crew members collaborate.

We document the members of Seeing Voices Montreal as they rehearse and then perform a Deaf-themed version of The Little Mermaid. In this retelling, Ariel, a Deaf mermaid from the undersea world of Atlantis falls in love with a man from the land-based hearing world against her father’s wishes... Read The Full Story.

Visit us at http://seenandheardmovie.com