ina_am

Wow, this is amazing. I am not sure when we'll have it in the UK. Hopefully soon

Yeah, all those gifs, can't get enough of them






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ChakotaysLover

I hope you get it in the UK soon!

Hahahaha!!! Who hasn't heard of GDT! honestly! LMAO!

ina_am

Thanks

Haha, yeah Loved her reaction to that question

I am going to watch the movie again tonight

ChakotaysLover

Her reaction was great! LOL!

Have a great time (which I know you will) seeing it again tonight! LOL! I might fire up my Blu-Ray player and watch it again myself! LOL!

ina_am

Aw, it was so beautiful again
Did you watch it as well?

The Shape of Water’s Sign Language Coach on the Film’s Oscar Victory and
Teaching Sally Hawkins How to Sign

By Marissa Martinelli
March 12, 2018



Sign languages played an unusually visible role during this year’s Academy Awards: Marlee Matlin, the only deaf woman ever to win for Best Actress, was shown signing in that category’s introductory montage; Baby Driver, which costarred deaf actor CJ Jones, was nominated for several awards; and The Silent Child, about a deaf girl who learns to sign, won Best Live-Action Short. On top of all that, the biggest award of the night, Best Picture, went to The Shape of Water, whose protagonist is mute janitor Elisa (Sally Hawkins), who communicates using a period-specific version of American Sign Language.

To make sure Hawkins got it right, the production hired two ASL coaches, one of whom was Amanda Richer, an actress, director, and producer whose breakout role was on the Canadian kids show Deafplanet in 2003. I spoke to Richer via email about what she thought of this year’s Oscars, her experience working on The Shape of Water, and that one particularly profane fingerspelling scene.

How did you become involved in The Shape of Water?

A friend of mine, who was working in the production office at the time, reached out asking if I’d like to meet with Sally. Naturally, without hesitation, I said yes. We met for tea and chatted all about ASL, film, life … a few weeks later I was in studio working alongside her.

What was an average session like?

We met every day for 3 hours for the month and a half prior to shooting. We did a lot of repetition. Every day was a new point of focus. Once we got into production, Sally and I would meet before to run her lines for that day and I stayed close by the monitor in case she needed anything. Sally is an extremely hard worker and an unbelievable actress, so she made my job easy. I’m so proud of her work, Oscar-worthy.

The ASL used in the film isn’t entirely contemporary ASL, is it? I’ve read that it’s meant to be period-specific.

Correct. The ASL that Sally used in the film is from the 1960s. During that time period, ASL was very English-based. I did a lot of research and had a friend who is also an ASL Coach/Consultant and certified in Deaf Culture and ASL Linguistic to bounce things off of. It’s amazing how ASL has changed over the years, just like any other language.

What did you think of the final result and how ASL figures into the finished film?

When I saw the film for the first time at TIFF, I was beaming with pride. Sally was truly remarkable. Every scene with ASL had such a profound emotional impact. One look, one sign can really be so powerful. I always told Sally she was the perfect Elisa, because she’s naturally so expressive and feels everything.

Speaking of expressive, I’m a fan of the F-U-C-K-Y-O-U scene, personally.

After we shot that scene the crew would come up to me and spell it out. I was like, yes! If the crew is signing the letters, then the audience will too!

Were you watching the Oscars this year?

I was watching the Oscars. I am so happy they won.

What did you make of Rachel Shenton’s speech in BSL?

I thought Rachel Shenton’s speech was perfect, and with the platform she had, it needed to be said. So many children are born into a world of silence. The barriers that deaf children and adults face on a daily basis are something people don’t understand or generally think about.

The cool thing about Rachel signing in BSL is that it shows people sign language is different all over the world. I can’t wait to watch her film.

What advice do you have for filmmakers who want to incorporate sign language into their projects? Do you think it’s important to cast deaf actors in roles that use ASL? Or is it enough to have deaf talent involved behind the scenes?

There are so many incredibly talented working deaf actors and behind-the-scenes professionals that could inject a true sense of authenticity and legitimacy into these characters and projects. My advice to filmmakers looking to incorporate sign language into their art is not to shy away. Deaf actors, ASL coaches, interpreters and script supervisors can all work together to avoid any miscommunication on set and ensure each performance is delivered with mastery and accuracy.

ASL can have such a profound impact in a scene. There is such a power in silence and unspoken script. It truly is an all-encompassing language that flows throughout every inch of you and can really provoke an emotional response.

https://slate.com/culture/2018/03/an...da-richer.html

ChakotaysLover

No, sadly, I was binge watching Jessica Jones S2. Actually I am watching it right now as I work on writing my third novel! I'll take inspiration where I can get it! LOL!

That is a great interview! I'm glad that GDT wanted to actually portray ASL in his movie, and brought in coaches so Sally Hawkins could make sure she was doing the motions right, and make it seem like it was her actual main form of communication.

ina_am

Oh, this is wonderful I didn't know S2 already came out I really liked that show!

Indeed, loved how he put so much attention to ASL, I think Sally did a wonderful job

ChakotaysLover

Yeah, Jessica Jones came out on March 8th. I watched all 13 episodes in one day! LOL! It was good!

Sally did an amazing job with the ASL! Especially when she was telling Strickland off!! hahaha!!

ina_am

Fabulous, I must go watch it too sometime soon

Haha, right! That scene was so good LOL!




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ChakotaysLover

It really was!! OMG!!!

YES!! I loved her telling Strickland off!!!

And that gif set!! OMG! Zelda is the best! LOL! She had me cracking up all through the movie! LOL!

RandHrShipper1

Zelda is a fabulous character, and Octavia plays her SO well!

ina_am

Yes And I loved her relationship with Elisa Wonderful!

ChakotaysLover

Zelda and Elisa were a dynamic duo! LOL! They made the movie for me! LOL!

ina_am

For me too I'm such a shipper of these two











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ChakotaysLover

Those gifs are great!