Robert
DeMayo was
both the ASL consultant and ASL coach for Universal
Signs. DeMayo painstakingly worked with the writer,
director, Ann Calamia, for over a year transliterating the
written English script into the visual American Sign Language.
(Note: American Sign Language does not have a written form.)
Calamia notes, “What impressed me the most was the
care Robert took to make sure that the transliteration was
accurate. We would discuss a series of dialogue for hours.
He wanted to be clear about my deeper meaning. Only then
would he transliterate it into ASL.”
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DeMayo took into account the background of all of the signing
characters; he used this to choose the type of signing that
each actor would perform. For instance, Andrew, the mainstreamed
son of two hearing parents, would sign differently from
Chris, a Deaf man of Deaf parents who is well-integrated
into Deaf culture. When the native signer watches the film,
he/she will note the subtle differences in sign language
among the characters; these variances add a deeper level
of communication, authenticity, and meaning to the story. |
Universal Signs' ASL coach, Robert DeMayo, works
with director Ann Calamia. |
DeMayo was responsible for not only the transliteration of
the script, but also the teaching of sign language to the
non-signing
actors. Sabrina Lloyd knew very little sign language when she
agreed to play Mary Callahan, the female lead in the film.
DeMayo
worked with her solidly for several months teaching her her
own lines as well as the lines of the other characters. The
amount of time they spent working on her sign language is a
testimony to Lloyd and DeMayo’s dedication to the film.
DeMayo was also responsible for teaching sign language to
supporting
actors, including: Margot Kidder, Robert Hogan, Ashlyn Sanchez
and many local principals. His job did not end in pre-production.
He spent every day on the set assisting with the sign language
and preparing the actors. He even taught sign language to
Calamia
and Catherine Miller, producer. Please click here to visit
Robert's Web site, www.robertwhere.com.
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