Claire and her fellow film makers thought that giving George a voice through me would help audience understand the subject. But a critic disagreed. She said that a voice over, instead of just putting subtitles, didn’t give the audience a chance to enter George’s world. She felt it was a bit condescending. I was distraught because I disagreed. I was a medium to narrate stories in a manner that could be understood easily by the audience.

I believe that an educational material, has to be presented in a way that would make it easier for the audience to digest and understand. An hour long of subtitle would have alienated, meaning bored, the viewers.

The film Sana Dinig Kita (If I Knew What You Said) was a striking reminder of my friends who are born deaf. But this post is not about the film, this post is about my personal experience.

There’s something beautiful about sign language and something pure about those who can’t hear and speak with their voices. You can’t really whisper with sign language. Every hearing impaired person that I personally know is beautiful.

Needless to say, the topic is close to my heart. I have researched about workplace accommodation, support groups and equality for hearing impaired. It’s sad that I am already far away from my deaf friends and they seem to get along better with those who know sign language. I guess the reason is obvious. I would have difficulty communicating with someone who couldn’t speak the languages I speak. Though initially, I viewed it as a sign of rejection – that I wasn’t welcome. I have now come to accept that they probably didn’t reject me but just moved on just like many of other friends who have outgrown their university friends.

Is it impossible to reconnect with them? No. It’s a language issue – not ability. I have to learn and adapt.

I think that those who are able to hear and speak are actually more impaired that some of those who can’t. We no longer hear voices. We’ve lost our ability to listen. The advent of technology has minimized our face to face interaction – we now just type what we want to say so we can email, tweet or text them. We no longer listen to the conversations around us or interact to the next person in the bus as we have our headphones on to listen music on our ipods. We sometimes don’t look at people when we’re having dialogue as we continue to play wii, read or check our phones.

In fact, the deaf has an advantage over us. Once again something pure, something more intense, something more meaningful… They look at each other when they speak. They had to look at me to determine what I was trying to say. Some of them had to read my lips.

It’s not the case for many of us. How many times have your friends checked their cell phones while you’re talking to them? How many times have you spoken to someone who begins (or continues to) read in the middle of the conversation or check the computer or writes?

I must admit that there were times that I felt that being deaf can be an advantage. And sometimes I wish I were deaf so I couldn’t hear people nagging, or hear the latest murder on the radio or hear people complaining. If my deaf friend would find out about that it had entered my thought, they would tell me that I’m lucky to hear and speak. But I don’t think I’m luckier than them. I have my own struggles – having a sense of hearing has its own disadvantages. And just like any other, I have my own physical challenges.

The film has not only made me think of the parallelism and difference between the deaf and the hearing. But it has also allowed me to explore their culture more. I have ended up spending time on the internet looking for more resources where I can learn sign language. To read more about deaf artists, actors and writers.

Some of you may know that the iDream project will no longer feature Kindred Spirit Orchestra because of differences. They basically wanted to make me a video grapher instead of a producer. Rreally? Like how? Like taking archival videos instead of b-rolls. The details are boring but the following events will make anybody’s blood pressure boil.

1. After looooon exchange of emails, most of which I have been threatened with lawsuits. Kindred Spirit Orchestra conductor and owner of International Music Academy Kristian Alexander agreed to just purchase the tapes. I thought it’s fair to be compensated for labor hours (which he believes is lesser than he claimed). There are 33 tapes with about an hour of video each. They agreed to pay $820.

2. Before the meeting, I told them by email that a dvd of one of the interviewee was to follow – western digital’s hard drive is busted (it’s a power problem).

3. Kristian Alexander of Internatioal Music Academy and Kindred Spirit Orchestra didn’t reaspond.

4. At the meeting, his boyfriend Jobert came first. Twenty minutes after, Kristian Alexander came and talked briefly – arrogantly.

5. His boyfriend took the tapes and put them beside him. Then Kristian asked where’s the cd – when I said it would follow he announced that he wouldn’t pay me.

6. I was ready to leave, tried to get the tapes and when Jobert pulled the tapes from me… Kristian told me that I was attacking Jobert. Seriously? By taking the tapes. I’m sure Novotel has security videos – so maybe we can watch it Kristian?

7. Fast Foward… I told them that I can’t produce the dvd on Friday because I’m preparing for a conference and leaving Toronto. He said that he wouldn’t pay me. Calmly I told them it’s not acceptable - this is a matter of principle. I will have to get what is owed to me. Kristian Alexander of International Music Academy and Kindred Spirit Orchestra has to live up to his promises as per his emails. Do I need the money? $820? Pfff… but if clients like this will continue to exploist freelancers, artists and designers… who will stand up for their/our rights?

8. We signed and agreement that they would be $820 if tape 6 (missing tape) and dvd were produced. If not, they have to pay $700. They have until August 16 to pay. But I honestly don’t trust them. Anyone who would say that I shouldn’t be transparent to musicians because “he knows his musicians” is… uhmm… not trustworthy.

All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. I’ve been asked to document footages prior to talking to the musicians and been asked to discuss the project slightly different from what was intended. The irony? They call the orchestra Kindred Spirit Orchestra.

Good luck Kristian Alexander, but I’m ready to fight for my rights (not money, rights) and set an example for other freelancers.

Status: I emailed Kristian to inform him that the hard drive is inoperable and that we should agree on 700 as noted on the invoice. I haven’t heard a reply. His deadline to reply is at 12pm today.

At the #SMdayTO earlier!

This bulletin was posted by building manager who were born in eastern Europe. Not really sure which country. Most of his posts have grammatical errors – lots of them and people are generally accepting of the mistakes. Occassionally, however, people would edit the posts and make nasty comments. I spoke to someone who said that this type of jokes and comments are mild form of discrimination and intimidation.

What do you think?

Latest book I’m reading. It covers the guerilla approach of producing (and shooting) documentaries.

I was also able to set up this booth, by myself and manned it on my own. Good life. I love to talk and network I just realized. It’s sort of my calling.

If you have fun, EASY, very EASY … yeah EASY going friends.