Charlie Swinbourne interviews Ted Evans in the Guardian

Top deaf journalist Charlie Swinbourne interviews top deaf film director Ted Evans in the Guardian Careers section today. The interview reveals how Ted became a film director and explains the steps he took along the way. Check it out here .. 

Charlie and Ted both came to Peterborough recently to talk about their careers, what inspired them and then how they didn't let deafness hold them back. The interview in the Guardian focuses on Ted's journey while demonstrating Charlie's journalistic craft. A perfect example of what the event in September was all about.

That Deaf Guy Cartoons

Check out the cartoons from 'That Deaf Guy'. We love this one about sign language. Check out his website for more. How true!

The cartoons are about the family life of a dad, who is deaf, his wife and son who are both hearing. Charlie Swinbourne did an interview with him once here. Follow him on Twitter

Tweets by @DeafCartoonist

Award Winning Deaf Actor Jacob Casselden coming to Peterborough

Award Winning Deaf Actor @jacobcasselden coming to Peterborough to give drama classes. On the road to @deaffest 2013! pddcs.co.uk/2012/09/Jacobc…
— PDDCS (@PDDCS) September 29, 2012

Following hot in the footsteps of Ted Evans and Charlie Swinbourne coming to talk about their careers in writing and film making, Award winning actor and dancer, Jacob Casselden, is coming to Peterborough to deliver acting and drama classes.

Jacob has starred in film and on stage and is well respected - winning Best International Deaf Male Actor award at the Milan Festival Internazionale di Cinema E Video Sordo, for his role in the film Nectar and shortlisted for his role in Tribes in London's West End in 2010. (see video below)

The class dates are yet to be arranged - but keep checking PDDCS news for updates.

There will be an announcement soon on PDDCS plans to make film to enter into Young DeafFest 2013 and how to get involved. Jacob's involvement means that PDDCS have a top trio of British Deaf film making and acting talent on board to help with the production of a film. With Charlie Swinbourne and Ted Evans already agreeing to act as consultants to the project, Jacob's contribution to the performance side gives the kids of Peterborough the best start possible.

Keep checking back for more news on the film making project and dates of Jacob's acting sessions. Follow Jacob on twitter here

This video is from 2010 - the dates mentioned have now passed

Charlie and Ted dazzle Peterborough

Ted meets Jamie McCullough

It was a night to remember for those at the John Clare Theatre in Peterborough's city centre on Friday as Ted Evans and Charlie Swinbourne shared their stories of how they made thier careers in film making, script writing and journalism.

Intertwined with the fascinating and inspiring stories were specially made video clips from Ted and captivating examples of Charlie's film making work including 'My Song' and 'Four Deaf Yorkshiremen'. Ted gave glimpses of his award winning film 'The End' and revealed how he put together the film for the opening ceremony of the London Paralympic Games.

It was revealed at the end of the evening that Ted and Charlie have agreed to work as consultants on a potential PDDCS film project and that two deaf actors have also agreed to come down and help any budding deaf actors or actresses from Peterborough learn how to do it. Add to that PDDCS have also got the support of the BSLBT (British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust) to develop a film in readiness for Deaffest 2013 and everything is in place for PDDCS's first film! Keep an eye on PDDCS news for updates.

I would like to thank Jack Hunt School for their funding of the evening and Teresa Quail for her efforts in organising the night. Finally - thanks to Ted and Charlie for an outstanding evening - it was an evening we won't forget. Poigniantly the evening ended with the final sequence from Ted's film 'From us to you'.

Charlie meets Jamie too - Jamie made his own film and is a potential storyboard creator

Andy Palmer with Ted and Charlie

Charlie asks for Tara Forkin's autograph

Charlie and Ted take the questions at the end (and maybe about The End)

Charlie looks on at one of Ted's captivating custom made clips for the event

In conversation - Charlie looks impressed as Ted tals about his film making roots



Andy shows Ted and Charlie his biceps

TLM

As if by magic ... He's got a winning smile that lad Calum..

Mo shows how to groom the perfect beard.

Ted and Charlie get the attention they deserve from the audience

Calum = cool



Andy: Can we all stop chatting and get on with the show? 

 

Ted, Charlie and some aspiring film makers..

PDDCS on the Telly again!

Last term PDDCS member Chyanne and many other deaf and hearing students from the Jack Hunt School in Peterborough worked on the NDCS's (National Deaf Children's Society) Look Smile Chat campaign.

BBC See Hear wanted to know all about the campaign and devoted a large part of today's episode to it. Catch their TV appearance with this BBC iplayer link, Chyanne talks about what it feels like mixing in hearing world as a deaf teenager and how the campaign can help improve social links with other teenagers.

Incidentally, the person featured in the piece before Chyanne, preparing for a role at the Paralympic opening ceremony, is BBC reporter David Hay. Now the link here is that David Stars in the film 'My Song' which is about what it can be like being a deaf teenager! Go figure?!

More links too as the film 'My Song' is written and directed by Charlie Swinbourne who will be in Peterborough on Friday to talk about his film-making with Ted Evans who made a film about the performers at the Paralympics! And guess who will meet those film makers on Friday? You guessed it - Chyanne!

Enjoy the clip and well done to you all.

Inspirational Deaf Role Model Event in Peterborough

We have a very special evening for deaf young people in Peterborough on September 21st 2012.


Film makers Charlie Swinbourne and Ted Evans will be coming to the John Clare Theatre in Peterborough to show off their creative work and inspire the next generation to follow their dreams and overcome barriers to be the best they can be.

The event is free to young deaf people aged 13-30 and their parent or guardian at the John Clare Theatre, Peterborough from 7pm on the 21st September 2012. BSL interpreters and speech to text will be provided.

For tickets - Email Andy Palmer andypalmer177@hotmail.com or call or text 07949 571173

Our two esteemed guests will be showcasing some of their work and talking about what it takes to make a successful career and be deaf.

Here is what they are all about:

Ted Evans
I am a highly creative, motivated person with a huge passion and drive to excel in my profession. I thrive upon all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production, and find the whole process of film making extremely fulfilling and enjoyable.

I have been involved in some fantastic productions, which have offered me valuable opportunities. Through my work in the mainstream and in both the Deaf and the disabled community, I have honed and developed my skills. I currently work freelance, which allows me to collaborate and work with a variety of exciting media and production companies.

As a freelance filmmaker, I have built up a pool of regular clients and take on large projects, often putting together a team, delivering to the client’s specifications with professionalism and efficiency. You can check out more about Ted here.

Ted recently created this hit film about inspiring the deaf people of the world.


From us to You from Ted Evans on Vimeo.

Charlie Swinbourne
I’m a freelance journalist and scriptwriter – often (but not always!) writing about the world I know: I’m partially deaf and grew up in a deaf family.

As a journalist, I’ve written for the Guardian, with a piece for G2 in January revealing the world’s funniest live subtitling mistake. I’ve contributed to Radio 4 programmes on deafness, and recently appeared on BBC News giving my verdict on some revolutionary subtitled glasses.

I wrote a humorous column on deaf culture for the BBC’s Ouch website for three years, and have also worked in TV for the BBC and Channel 4. To read my work, check out the Journalism section.

I’m now the editor of a brand-new website offering news, features and opinion on deaf issues and culture in the UK – called The Limping Chicken. Along with publishing a range of writers, I write a regular column about being a deaf stay-at-home dad, and other news and opinion articles too. Since it was set up three months ago, it’s had over 140,000 hits. Check it out!

As a scriptwriter, I’ve created a series of award-winning dramas about deaf characters, in sign language. My latest script is the half-hour drama My Song, about a girl stuck between the deaf and hearing worlds (broadcast last summer on digital TV and online).Other credits include hospital drama Departure Lounge, mini-series The Fingerspellers, the cheeky comedy Coming Out and my directing debut, Four Deaf Yorkshiremen.

In 2009, I also wrote the play Lipstick and Lollipops for Deafinitely Theatre. My latest film, The Kiss is now in post production after being shot last October. To watch all my films in full, read reviews of them and find out about the directors, cast and crew, go to the Filmssection.

All this is from Charlie's website here:

Check out Charlie's popular film - My Song

Check out the Poster for the Event ..
Deaf Role Model Night Peterborough 21st September 2012

This page is also hosted permanently on this site here:

Deaf blind man's 'world-first' short film

Watch this world-first video that was filmed, directed and starred in by the same deaf-blind man,  from Ely in Cambridgeshire.

Jamie McCullough, who is 30 years old and has Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that is the leading cause for deafblindness, made this video called 'Awakening 2011' to prove the doubters wrong.

His mother, Marilyn, told PDDCS News: "Last summer he made a video by himself using only the poor camera on his phone because he didn't have any other equipment to prove to everyone who said you're deaf and blind you can't make films."



Point proven then. Jamie is an accomplished artist with a BA Honours Degree in illustration and sells his own artwork which is simply stunning. Jamie displayed some of his work at the recent PDDCS Fun-day to wide acclaim from the people who saw his stunning talent.

Jamie will be attending the Deaf Role Models Event in September when Ted Evans and Charlie Swinbourne will be coming to Peterborough to talk about how they built their respective careers. Have you got your tickets yet?

Check out Limping Chicken

Charlie Swinbourne one the UK's most prominent deaf writers has launched a new blog called 'the Limping Chicken' - it's an essential daily read for those interested in the deaf world with a mixture of writers, views and news. Ian Noon of NDCS is a regular so far..

Those of you who saw the recent BBC3 documentary will appreciate why limping chickens are enshrined into deaf folklore..

Stick in in your favourites..

Imagine every film at the cinema had subtitles..if you wanted them?

News broke on Thursday morning that Sony has been developing some electronic glasses that can add the subtitles to a film, visible only to those who are wearing the glasses. This opens the exciting possibility that deaf people could access subtitles at the cinema for all films, at any time. 

Another exciting application of these glasses could be using voice to text software to provide deaf people with subtitles to real-life conversation. Check out this BBC video, featuring Charlie Swinbourne, (with subtitles) and also the this Tech Radar article.

Hat-tip: Dave Norris.

Mega Debate on Comment is Free about Cochlear Implants

Scriptwriter, filmmaker and journalist, Charlie Swinbourne writes in the Guardian's Comment Is Free yesterday about cochlear implants. Charlie claims that some deaf adults, including deaf actress Emily Howlett, have been put under pressure to receive an implant even if doctors admit the there is apparently no benefit. The article doesn't discuss the merits of cochlear implants for children.

The article also talks about the poor level of deaf awareness among audiologists..something many people will relate to. Well worth a read, if you haven't already.

The article has sparked debate with over 200 comments so far with a frank exchange of viewpoints.

Deaf University Student? Check This Out..

David (left) in My Song

Star of deaf related hit film My Song, David Hay, is conducting research into experience of university life for deaf students for the University of Wolverhampton.


You can have gone to any UK University to take part or still be a student. The aim of the survey is to get statistical information about universities across the UK and how they accommodate deaf students.

Click here to take the survey

For a good cause - and it won't take long..

New Deaf Film Rated A Hit

A new film by deaf scriptwriter Charlie Swinbourne and Director William Mager has caused a stir in the deaf and hearing communities and on Twitter in the last few days.

My Song, which tells the story of a 17 year old deaf girl agonisingly caught between the Deaf and hearing worlds, was premiered at the Deaffest film and television festival on Friday, shown on Film4 on Monday and has been widely acclaimed as a hit with 4000 YouTube hits since the weekend.

My Song challenges attitudes towards oral deaf people from within the signing Deaf community. It also highlights issues about parental or community acceptance of a young person's emerging deaf identity. An identity that seems determined to come to prominence after a mainstream education with exclusively hearing friends and oral parenting (from a stressed out single mum).

You can follow writer Charlie Swinbourne on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/#!/charlie_swin

Enjoy..

Charlie Swinbourne Writes in the Guardian about Education for Deaf Children

Deaf writer and director, Charlie Swinbourne, writes in Comment is Free today about education in mainstream schools for deaf children. Charlie, who was educated in mainstream school using hearing aids and a radio aid was born in to a deaf family, writes about the NDCS campaign on education... Take a look and maybe add views...