DAVIDEO PRODUCTIONS HOSTS FIFTH DEAF FILM SHOWCASE IN SEGUIN, TEXAS

Posted in: Inside TAD, TAD Announcements by TAD Administration on October 15, 2009 | 1 Comment

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
October 14, 2009
 
Media Contact:
David H. Pierce
davideo@satx.rr.com
 
DAVIDEO PRODUCTIONS HOSTS FIFTH DEAF FILM SHOWCASE IN SEGUIN, TEXAS
 
Seguin, Texas- Davideo Productions is hosting its fifth showcase of Deaf films on November 13 & 14, 2009. This event, CINEMA FOR EVERYONE, presents films to the Deaf Community and the general public in Seguin, Texas at the historic Palace Theatre on 314 South Austin Street. Past events have successfully drawn hundreds of people from all over the State of Texas as well as out-of-state visitors.
 
CINEMA FOR EVERYONE is a venue created to showcase independent films. All films are in sign language with open captions which are fully accessible to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing audiences. David H. Pierce of Davideo Productions says “we serve as a regular theatrical exhibitor to give filmmakers a place to show their latest productions and get a share of the box office receipts." The fifth showcase has enlisted the involvement of established companies around the country such as Universal Signs Productions in Pennsylvania, ASL Films in Indiana, and National Technical Institute for the Deaf in New York.
 
The November 2009 showcase is sponsored by the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD), a 501(c)3 non-profit consumer organization advocating the rights of Deaf and hard of hearing Texans.
 
JOURNEY THROUGH DEAF TEXAS, a highly visual documentary about the history and legislative accomplishments of Deaf Texans since 1886, is one of the highlights of the film showcase. Co-produced, researched and written by Stephen C. Baldwin, Ph.D., the film had its world premiere in San Antonio on June 11, 2009 at the Buena Vista Theater at University of Texas in San Antonio which garnered positive response. Seguin is proud to be screening the film at the Palace Theatre as it was co-produced and directed by local Seguin filmmaker David H. Pierce. Donations at the box office for the JOURNEY screening will go to TAD to help with film distribution and publication of a book on its history.
 
The film showcase will host the Texas premiere of UNIVERSAL SIGNS with Anthony Natale (MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS), Sabrina Lloyd (SPORTS NIGHT), Margot Kidder (SUPERMAN), Robert Picardo (STAR TREK: VOYAGER), Lupe Ontiveros (REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES), Deanne Bray (SUE THOMAS: FBEye) and Ashlyn Sanchez (CRASH). Produced by Catherine Miller, this film portrays a Deaf artist who becomes a prisoner of his own mind. It has won awards from the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood, CA.
 
Another Texas premiere is THE HEART OF THE HYDROGEN JUKEBOX by Miriam Nathan Lerner of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. This documentary tracks the development of poetry in American Sign Language over the years through archival footage. Rochester, New York is a place where Hearing and Deaf poetry occurs side by side with the help of interpreters who provide equal access for both audiences. Featured poets in the film are Bernard Bragg, Robert Panara, Ella Mae Lentz, Eric Malzkuhn, Patrick Graybill, Dorothy "Dot" Miles, Clayton Valli, Allen Ginsberg, Peter Cook, and Debbie Rennie.
 
Two films produced by Mark G. Wood of ASL Films will be screened. GERALD is about a young man who discovers he has a Deaf autistic grandfather and tries to make a connection to him and ends up with a whirlwind of twists of fate. Performers are Andy Vasnick, Russell Harvard (THERE WILL BE BLOOD), and Micaela Paulone. LEGEND OF A MOUNTAIN MAN portrays children sent to a Montana ranch who find themselves encountering a creature that has never been seen before. Performers are Sean Berdy, Tyler Berdy, Marisa Ann King, Freda Norman (ST. ELSEWHERE), Howie Seago (STAR TREK: NEXT GENERATION), Chuck Baird and Scott Berdy.
 
This event is also sponsored by the University of Texas-Austin Department of Linguistics’ American Sign Language program. Student interns of Deaf actress and filmmaker Franky Ramont Giacona will be on hand to assist in facilitating the communication needs of Deaf and Hearing attendees.
 
Late night socialization after the screenings will be held on Friday and Saturday night at The Oak Bar on 110 East Gonzales Street in Seguin. Pierce says “when people come to historic Seguin, not only can they enjoy watching films but also joining in the camaraderie of the patrons at these social events. It makes the trip to Seguin worthwhile. Hope to see all of you soon!”
 
Davideo Productions is a motion picture film & broadcast television production, syndication and consulting firm based in Seguin, Texas.
 
For more information about the films and the schedules, please visit www.davideo.tv.