Switched at Birth - Integrating Sign Language

Summary

The video highlights the experience of learning and using American Sign Language (ASL) on a film set. One of the actors talks about how they initially learned signs daily from a colleague and how the whole cast and crew became fascinated with the language. They express how ASL has seamlessly integrated into their work environment, creating a stronger sense of community. The actor also emphasizes how ASL allows them to communicate during filming without disrupting the process, and how everyone on set, from actors to crew members, has developed a deep appreciation for the language.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker started learning sign language by asking Katie to teach five signs every day.
• 📚 Over time, the speaker learned many signs, even though they forgot a few along the way.
• 🎬 Being on set provides a great opportunity to practice and improve signing skills.
• 👍 The speaker has picked up sign language quickly, enjoying the mimicry involved as an actor.
• 👐 Sign language feels more like an extension of English for the speaker rather than learning a completely new language.
• 👯 Marlee Matlin, who plays the speaker's best friend on the show, is a seamless part of the signing community on set.
• 🎥 Signing has become so integrated on set that the speaker no longer notices when people are signing during scenes.
• ✌️ Vanessa Marano has also started signing, giving the speaker a signing buddy.
• 👐 Many crew members, including PAs and transportation staff, are learning sign language, creating a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• 💬 Sign language allows for secret communication on set, especially during takes when speaking out loud isn't allowed.
• 🤟 The speaker appreciates how infectious the desire to learn sign language has become among the cast and crew.
• 💼 The speaker always has an interpreter to ensure full accessibility, even though many crew members have learned to sign.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Learning and using sign language has fostered a stronger sense of family and camaraderie on set.

Q & A

What approach did the speaker initially take to learn sign language?

The speaker asked Katie to teach them five signs every day, allowing them to gradually accumulate a lot of vocabulary over time.

How does the speaker feel about learning sign language on set?

The speaker finds it beneficial to be on set as it offers a great environment to practice and improve their signing.

What does the speaker say about the process of learning sign language?

The speaker mentions that it has been relatively easy to learn because, as an actor, mimicking is second nature. They also note that sign language feels familiar because it's tied to English, which makes it feel like they aren’t truly learning a completely new language.

Who is the speaker’s best friend on the show and what role does this person play?

Marlee Matlin plays the speaker’s best friend on the show, and her role has expanded from playing one character in 'Reasonable Doubts' to three main characters.

How does the speaker describe the integration of sign language into the scenes?

The speaker says that at first, they noticed when people were signing, but now the integration of sign language has become so seamless that they no longer notice it during scenes.

What challenge does the speaker face while acting and how do they handle it?

The speaker faces the challenge of speaking and signing at the same time, but they mention that it’s getting easier with practice.

How does the crew on set engage with sign language?

Many members of the crew, from PAs to transportation personnel, have started learning sign language, and the speaker finds this enthusiasm for learning signing to be infectious.

What advantage does the speaker mention about using sign language on set?

The speaker mentions that during takes, when speaking isn’t allowed, they can still communicate using sign language, which is a helpful and quiet form of communication.

How does the presence of an interpreter assist the speaker during production?

The interpreter helps the speaker remain fully accessible to the director and the rest of the crew, ensuring smooth communication.

What impact has the use of sign language had on the set’s atmosphere?

The use of sign language has created a family-like atmosphere on set, with everyone eager to learn and communicate. This has made the speaker feel more connected and supported by the cast and crew.