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See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary

1 hours 30 minutes 41 seconds

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This inspirational and heartfelt documentary follows four well-known entertainers in the deaf community: a comic, a drummer, an actor and a singer as they attempt to cross over and reach mainstream audiences. These uniquely talented deaf entertainers overcome great challenges on their way to personal triumphs and professional success. Bob Hiltermann, a drummer in the world's only deaf rock band, Beethoven's Nightmare, produces the largest show in the band's 30 year history. CJ Jones, a hugely famous and internationally renowned comic in the deaf community, fights to cross over to the mainstream by producing the first international sign language theatre festival in Los Angeles. Robert DeMayo, a brilliant actor who teaches at Juilliard, struggles to survive when he becomes homeless, and TL Forsberg, a hard of hearing singer, finds herself caught between the hearing and deaf communities when she attracts her first major producer. Note: Contains potentially offensive language and mature themes.

Media Details

Runtime: 1 hours 30 minutes 41 seconds

Framed image of a woman hugging a black lab while petting his cheek. From the title card below her image, she is Crystal Melero, Statewide Services Coordinator for Children Who are Blind or Have Low Vision. Text nearby reads, "Getting a Job."
Getting a Job! for Students Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired
Episode 1
6 minutes 26 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Woman smiles and holds up her right hand with her left hand in a fist, thumb pointing towards her. Background photo of firefighter and Dalmatian standing by fire engine.
5 minutes 26 seconds
Grade Level: Ps - 3
Profile shot of Black female attorney, Claudia Gordon, Esquire, using sign language. Caption. That they should feel equal to other people.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 2
7 minutes
Grade Level: 7 - 12
An optometrist uses a phoropter during a child's eye exam. Caption. Seeing children who have auditory problems.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 3
9 minutes
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Closeup of child with mouth wide open for a medical exam, eyes looking down their nose at a person shining a light in their mouth. Caption. I would like to consider myself as a caring person.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 4
10 minutes
Grade Level: 7 - 12
A person holding a dog on a leash while someone in a lab coat examines the dog. The dog's ears are back, and the dog looks nervous. Caption: I pay attention quite a bit to how the animals behave.
Achieving Goals! Career Stories of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Episode 5
7 minutes
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Closeup of a man speaking directly to camera as he presents information in a manufacturing setting. Behind him is a control wall with a display monitor and rows of push buttons and dials. Caption. I'm a certified tool and die maker.
STEM Careers in Two Years
Episode 2
20 minutes
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Smiling men and women stand in staggered positions. Backdrop of a chalkboard in a classroom setting. Caption. Honoring all our teachers.
All About the Holidays
Episode 37
1 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 8
Astronaut in a space suit working on a machine. Caption: Training takes place in the neutral buoyancy lab.
Design Squad Nation
Episode 5
3 minutes 44 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Closeup of hands chopping vegetables with chef's knife. Caption. Include chefs, cooks, and kitchen assistants.
23 minutes 2 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Emily M. (Rockville, MD)
    April 23rd, 2018 at 08:09 AM

    This is an engaging and interesting documentary that gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of d/Deaf performers. I love Robert's description of the continuum of sign communication around minute 30. My high school students really enjoy this movie. Highly recommend.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Anonymous (LOCKPORT, IL)
    May 2nd, 2017 at 09:24 AM

    Brilliant documentary showing the struggles of what it is like to be a person who is deaf in the arts world. Excellent stories and histories of the people.

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    Anonymous (Lakewood, OH)
    January 11th, 2016 at 09:17 AM

    This DCMP material has been critical for understanding of career decisions and real-life problem solving in the area of creative arts. In fact, all of the DCMP media have been invaluable to helping students find their footing in positive view of their own identity as Deaf individuals living and growing successfully in a larger world. Through DCMP media they can catch a glimpse of a Deaf World that exists though they might've never seen it. They begin to see that there is so much yet to experience in their lives.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Anonymous (West Hartford, CT)
    May 4th, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    We all loved it...we want them to make a follow up movie!