PRODUCTIONS
PANELS & speaking engagements
HARRIET TUBMAN EFFECT: INTO THE WOODS
UPCOMING: JUNE 2023
SIGNmation and Broadway SIGNs! will participate in a Producers panel during the week of the Tony Awards, Sponsored by Harriet Tubman Effect (HTE)
HTW introduces LANTERN TIX: a call-to-action for accessible Broadway ticket prices and intentional partnership with community-based organizations across the city.
Read more: Inside the launch of the Lantern Tix Accessible
Read more: Harriet Tubman Effect Launches Broadway Ticket Accessibility Initiative
REELABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL INDUSTRY SUMMIT: ACCESSIBILITY 2.0
MAY 2, 2023
A spotlight on technology Innovation giving further access to media consumption. How can we utilize technology to raise the bar of accessibility to screen and on stage?
Moderator: Ariel Baska
Panelists:
Matt Kaplowitz, Bridge Multimedia,
Flavia Naslausky, Not Impossible Labs
Sam Lyon, Vimeo
Amit Pitaru, Google
Kyle Wright, GalaPro
Betsy Selman, Sound Associates
Jo-Ann Dean, SIGNmation
MONMOUTH COLLEGE: “INCLUSION IS AN INTENTION”
JO-ANN DEAN TEACHES MASTER CLASS ON
MAKING THEATER MORE INCLUSIVE TO THE DEAF
OCTOBER 24, 2022
Why a master class on inclusion and access?
“Theatre is for everyone. Inclusion is an intention,” said Dean. “How do we do it? What do we do? These two questions always follow the ‘Why?’ Inclusion is not an afterthought or to be added in post-production or marketing. It starts at conception in your budget. Put a line in your budget for accessibility.”
DIGITAL LA: ACCESSIBILITY TECH
CAPTIONS, OVERLAYS, AUDIO DESCRIPTION
MAY 18, 2021
Participants Discussed:
The latest trends in digital accessibility. From captions to overlays, to audio description, and more to discuss the progress, new technologies, challenges and 2021 trends in creating experiences available to everyone.
What are trends in digital accessibility?
What is the ReelAbilities Film Festival?
How to do captions and overlays?
what is audio description - Oscars had it.
What is going on with Diamond around accessibility?
What is GAAD?
NYFF LIVE: PRESENTED BY HBO
ACCESS NEW AUDIENCES: WONDERSTRUCK & THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
2017
Michele Spitz (Woman of Her Word) and Jo-Ann Dean (SIGNmation) lead the discussion on how filmmakers and distributors can increase their audience outreach and box office draw by incorporating accessible language components for both Deaf and Blind communities.
Deaf Actors participants: Lauren Ridloff, Anthony Natale and John McGinty featured in NYFF Centerpiece Selection Wonderstruck (Dir.Todd Haynes) and Leslie McCleave, Producer/Director of How Sweet the Sound: The Blind Boys of Alabama screening clips of her documentary plus award winning Cliff Hahn, Audio Producer/ Director/Engineer.
Panelists provide insight on budgeting, grant opportunities and how American Sign Language (ASL), Audio Description (AD) and Open/Closed Captioning (OC/CC) are inclusive assets for your film and panels.
SIGNmation CoProduced the Panel for NYFF 55 in association with HBO.
Jo-Ann Dean with the Wonderstruck cast: John McGinty, Anthony Natale, and Lauren Ridloff
WOMEN IN FILM: “INCLUSION IN FILM”
PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH WOMEN IN FILM,
Jo-Ann Dean, SIGNmation and Michele Spitz, Woman of Her Word
2019
Panelists:
Jamie Brewer, actress and model
Russell Boast, Casting Society of America
Antoinette Abbamonte, National Committee SAG/AFTRA-PWD & Diversity
Michele Spitz, Audio Describer/ Woman of Her Word & Moderator
Jo-Ann Dean, SIGNmation & Moderator
Director Leslie McLeave, “How Sweet the Sound-The Blind Boys of Alabama”
Linda Palmer, Writer & Director, “Turnover”
Special Guest: CJ Jones
SIGNmation Co-Produced & Co-moderated this panel in association with Women in Film, Los Angeles
Participate In The Conversation:
How to make your media more marketable by implanting accessible viewing experiences for engagement to additional audiences for all VOD, Broadcast & Theatrical distribution platforms. Allowing outreach for the Bling & Low Vision Community by Audio/ Video Description, and Open & Closed Captioning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
How you can be more inclusive in storytelling, casting, hiring and production both on set and screens. Film clips illustrate Audio Description & Captions from the Award Winning “How Sweet the Sound - The Blind Boys of Alabama.” Indie Feature Turnover shares inclusivity on set, screen and audience.
SIGNMATION & SONY PICTURES PRESENT
“BABY DRIVER”
2017
Baby is a young and partially hearing impaired getaway driver who can make any wild move while in motion with the right track playing. It's a critical talent he needs to survive his indentured servitude to the crime boss, Doc, who values his role in his meticulously planned robberies. However, just when Baby thinks he is finally free and clear to have his own life with his new girlfriend, Debora, Doc coerces him back for another job. Now saddled with a crew of thugs too violently unstable to keep to Doc's plans, Baby finds himself and everything he cares for in terrible danger. To survive and escape the coming maelstrom, it will take all of Baby's skill, wits and daring, but even on the best track, can he make it when life is forcing him to face the music? Description provided by IMDb
Panelists:
Edgar Allen, “Baby Driver” Director and Writer
CJ Jones, Supporting Actor
Lanny Joon, Actor
Antoinette Abbamonte, Moderator
SIGNmation produced the screening in association with Sony Pictures,
providing the ASL Interpretation and Open Captioning
signmation & Women in film international committee present
deaf jam: celebrating international deaf talent
NOVEMBER 2016
Dinner and show at The Prospect Theater, a premiere club in Hollywood.
Experience Deaf Culture, Talent & Sign Language through the arts. Highlights from Cannes to Broadway in Music, Hip Hop Dance, Fashion & Award Winning Films!
Featuring:
Deanne Bray, Actress “Sue Thomas F.B.Eye,” MC for the evening
Filmmaker Fashion Walk by Mara
Live ASL Musical Performance “Fiddler on the Roof” & “Hamilton” by Broadway’s Sandra Mae Frank and Josh Castille (Deaf West Theatre’s Tony Nominated Musical “Spring Awakening”)
Hip Hop Dancer Shaheem Royal Sanchez performing live
8 Award Winning Films with Screening and Q&A
New york women in film & television (NYWIFT) present:
make your film accessible to all
FEBRUARY 2016
Panelists:
Alexandria Wailes, (Deaf West’s Spring Awakening") Director & Moderator
Maleni Chaitoo and Craig Fogel, Creatives of new web series "Don't Shoot the Messenger"
Stacey Lawrence, Camp Mark 7 Deaf Film Camp (also produces ASL Music Videos)
Presented at Manhattan JCC
SIGNmation provided the ASL Interpretation and Open Captioning
Craig agrees, he loves these music videos looks forward yearly to what ASL Music Videos the camp produces.
Maleni too! Also, Jo-Ann Dean consults and promotes accessibility in theaters working on Hollywood level in opening discussions for equal access for all including the Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences.
Now, this is a first for NY Women in Film, TV & Media to promote this topic. It'll be nice to show respect and come join in the discussion. It's free, just register!
Craig adds no entry cost if you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing both Captioning and ASL Interpretation is provided. Accessible for all!
Maleni agrees ..beautiful! Craig looks forward to seeing you there and Maleni too ....and they will be showing a short clip from Don't Shoot the Messenger too! So we'll see you there! Bye!
Craig Fogel, Jade Bryan, Jo-Ann Dean, Maleni Chaitoo
Director Jade Bryan, Producer Jo-Ann Dean, Executive Producer Maleni Chaitoo
Stacey Lawrence, Founder of Camp Mark 7, Deaf Film Camp and Producer Jo-Ann Dean
NYWIFT Panel - Make your film accessible to all
GRANDMA
GRANDMA OPEN CAPTION SCREENING SONY STUDIOS
CREATIVE ACCESSIBLE CINEMA AND CONTENT (CACC)
OCTOBER 12, 2015
my hero
CREATIVE
MAY 08, 2015
(left to right): Writer Karen Feeney, Director Jules Dameron, Actress/Producer Antoinette Abbamonte, Host Alan “SPO” Schwartz, Moderator Kat Kramer, Honoree Poet & Actor Bernard Bragg, Actor Troy Kotsur, Producer Jo-Ann Dean
VIDEO COMING SOON
