On The Silver Screen – Award-Winning Universal Signs’ World Premiere
posted April 6th, 2009

Universal Signs World Premiere
With your support, we can make it a sold-out ticket! Please tell your friends and loved ones.

Saturday, May 30th, 2009
With special appearance by Universal Signs’ stars Anthony Natale, Deanne Bray, and Troy Kotsur
After each screening, the stars are available for a special "meet and greet" opportunity, granting you one-on-one time for autographs and photographs.

TWO SCREENINGS! GET ALL THE DETAILS

Matinee - 1PM: Doors open at 12PM. Come early as seating is first come, first serve. VIP seats with ideal viewing are available for a small upcharge.

Evening Show - 7PM: Doors open at 6PM. Come early as seating is first come, first serve. VIP seats with ideal viewing are available for a small upcharge.

Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA: Free parking and easily accessible by train.

The Universal Signs’ premiere event is not formal or “red carpet.” In the current economy, we want to be socially responsible and have as many people come who are able by not making the tickets cost prohibitive. The event will be “indie chic.” We hope to have a grassroots, down-to-earth, friendly feel as a special thank you to our Philadelphia roots. Philadelphia fans made Universal Signs the WINNER of the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Philadelphia Film Festival. We want the premiere to be a fun event. The premiere will be a time to reflect with a wonderful message about love and forgiveness, moving forward, and seizing life. We think our new tagline for the film "Sense the Life Around You" sums it up! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Something Fun For Everyone – Universal Signs’ New On-line Store
posted April 6th, 2009

Due to popular demand, Universal Signs has just launched our new on-line store. Our most popular items in the store are tickets to Universal Sign’s premiere screenings and events. Help us make all of our screenings a sell-out ticket! With your support, anything is possible!

The store also features many fun items to spread the word about Universal Signs. Many items come in fun, cost-saving gift packs. Get your Universal Signs gear today!

Two awesome designs…
5 Senses: Tell the world that SIGNing is a way to sense the world with this delightful design. This design also helps us to remember as humans that we have more in common than we do not. There might be someone around you who could use a friend, encouragement or support. This is the perfect reminder to reach out to someone today!

I Love You: Spread the LOVE! American Sign Language sign for “I love you” is meant for sharing with friends and loved ones. It is an easy sign with a huge impact! By selecting this design, you are sending a message of love to all who surround you and couldn’t we all use a little love?

Hooray! The Universal Signs DVD is on its way!
Experience Universal Signs in your home theater. Pre-orders have begun for a reduced price. Buy one for yourself and copies for those you love. Also, with a special program, you can buy copies for libraries, Deaf schools, and intermediate units. To find out more, please contact us.

Opening Night Honors - Universal Signs selected as the Opening Night Film For TIDFAF
posted April 5th
Universal Signs will be the Opening Night Film and Gala for the Toronto International Deaf Film and Arts Festival on Thursday May 21, 2009. After the screening, there will be a wine and cheese reception with Special Guest Anthony Natale, film’s lead. As many of you know, Anthony Natale is from Toronto, Ontario. He is also an alumni of the Ernest C. Drury School in Milton. Filmmakers Ann Calamia, writer/director, and Catherine Miller, producer will be in attendance. At the wine and cheese event, you can meet Anthony, Ann, and Catherine, ask questions, and enjoy a lovely evening with us! Hoping to meet our Canadian Fans! See you there!

Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye – New Life on Animal Planet
posted April 5th, 2009
Get a new opportunity to fall in love all over again with Deanne Bray as Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. Deaf actress, Deanne Bray stars as, FBI agent, Sue Thomas with sidekick, her faithful dog, Levi. Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye premieres on Animal Planet Monday, April 6, 8pm EST/PST (7pm Central/Mountain) with a 2-hour premiere. Then it will air Mondays at 9pm EST/PST (8pm Central/Mountain).

See Deanne at the World Premiere on May 30th! A specal meet and greet opportunity will get you one-on-one attention from your favorite star! Buy your tickets today! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Sketches & Answers – Universal Signs’ Katherine Catanakis chats it up with Isaac Mizrahi
posted April 4th, 2009
Universal Signs’ own Kat Catanakis was asked to participate in a web-i-sode of Isaac Mizrahi’s Sketches and Answers. Kat was in several of the office scenes in the film. She’s the one giving Andrew that annoyed stare. In real life, Kat is a super sweetheart. In the interview, as a young, up and coming actress, Kat asked Isaac about attending the Universal Signs' Premiere this March and what he suggests to wear to an independent film event. Isaac helps Kat define Urban Chic in this fun clip.

Meeting Kat is yet another awesome reason to go to the Universal Signs’ Premiere. Buy your tickets today! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Lending A Helping Hand – Universal Signs’ Charitable Giving
posted April 4th, 2009
The filmmakers of Universal Signs believe in the importance of lending a helping hand to schools, non-profit organizations and other groups in need. “It is essential to give back to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who has supported us throughout our efforts in producing this film. This film would not be possible without the generous spirits of various organizations and individuals and for this we are forever grateful,” notes Catherine Miller, Universal Signs’ producer.

Charitable giving has been a fundamental part of Universal Signs since it’s conception. A significant portion of the profits from the distribution, merchandise, etc from the film goes to non-profit organization, Creative Access. Creative Access is the Greater Philadelphia’s advocacy and arts-service non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of a diverse group of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, "mixed" Deaf/hearing families, and the general public since 1992. There are 350,000 Deaf and Hard of Hearing men, women, and children in the greater Philadelphia region alone. Creative Access’ programs and services reverse the historic picture of invisibility and social isolation of its minority constituency by using the arts for social change. Through significantly increasing visibility of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in cultural arenas, Creative Access enhances knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Deaf culture and American Sign Language by providing "accessibility beyond the ramp." Universal Signs hopes you will choose to include Creative Access in your annual giving. Thank you!

In addition to regular giving, as the film reaches milestones, such as completing production, acceptance into film festivals, and winning awards, the production uses these incredible opportunities to give even more. “There is nothing better than helping others as a special thank you for the blessings shown to us,” explains Ann Calamia, Universal Signs’ writer and director.

Some of the organizations supported by Universal Signs’ outreach program:
Please consider these organizations as part of your regular charitable giving.
November 2008: The 40th Anniversary Gala for the National Theatre of the Deaf
May 2008: The 6th Anniversary of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
April 2008: Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.
April 2008: Q&A with ASL students at the University of Pennsylvania
May 2007: Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc.’s team in the Hearing Loss Association of America's Walk 4 Hearing.
January/February 2007: Filmmaking Workshop at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
May 2006: Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc.’s team in the Hearing Loss Association of America's Walk 4 Hearing.

Does your Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing organization have an outreach program in which you wish the filmmakers to help? Please contact us by completing a Web form. We welcome any opportunity to give back to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who has given us so much!

Coming Soon…
Universal Signs will be creating one product in our on-line store in which 100% of the profits will be going back to charity. The charities will rotate on a monthly basis. If you would like your favorite non-profit Deaf and Hard of Hearing organization considered, please contact us by completing a Web form. People helping people change the world.

Deaf People Love the Movies Too! – Captioning Advocacy
posted April 3rd, 2009
Deaf people love the movies, too! We cannot define modern American culture without mentioning the dramatic impact of American cinema. Movies are the quintessential and most beloved American pastime. Ironically, the film industry is exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act; this means that the industries of film production and film distribution are not required to provide open or closed captioning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences. The majority of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people are still unable to go to their neighborhood movie theater and see a movie with captions. Both movie studios and theaters have said that their budgets do not allow them to provide captioned access to first-run movies. Yet, American film studios routinely subtitle their films for showing in other countries. Learn more about this issue and how you can help through The Coalition for Movie Captioning.

Captioning Technology
Currently, there are three technologies for movie theater captions: open captioning (Insight Cinema), Rear Window captioning (which involves the use of a viewing device that hangs on the back of the seat in front of the Deaf person, but are usually limited to only a few per theater), and Digital Theater Systems - Cinema Subtitling System, which projects the captions directly onto the movie.

Find an Open Captioned movie near you!
fomdi.com
Edward Cinemas
Insight Cinema

TV Captioning
In 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved new regulations which mandated captioning on virtually all television programming in the United States. The ruling took effect on January 1st, 1998 and was considered a victory for advocates of captioning. For programming that first aired prior to the effective date of the law, the FCC allowed ten-year transition period, after which 75% of the "old" programming must be captioned.

For "new" programming, airing for the first time after the effective date of the law, the FCC allowed an eight-year transition period with milestones along the way. At the end of that eight-year period (as of January 1, 2006), all new programming must be captioned (the original ruling said 95%, but it was updated to 100% in September 1998).

The FCC allowed quite a few exemptions to the rules, including:

• No video programmer will be required to spend more than 2% of its annual gross revenues on captioning.
• All non-English programming is exempted.
• The Sept 1998 update makes Spanish required by 2010 (new programs) or 2012 (old programs).
• "Non vocal" programming is exempted.
• Commercials and public service announcements are exempted.
• Programming from "new networks" is exempted.
• All programs aired between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM are exempted.

The upsetting part is that since the deadline of January 1, 2006, the FCC has granted far more exemptions that it ever has in the past. Recently the FCC received about 550 requests for TV programs to be shown without closed captions, and it appoved almost 300 of these requests. Most of these requests were not put on public notice. Deaf and Hard of Hearing advocacy groups and consumers had no chance to comment about these requests.

To add further insult, on September 12, 2006, the FCC announced publicly that two TV programs do not need to be closed captioned forever, which represents the first time that a program has been permanently exempt from captioning. The FCC also stated that it is inclined favorably to approve requests made by TV programs when the TV program is produced by a non-profit organization; when the organization receives nothing in exchange for their TV program or when they need to pay to broadcast their TV program; when the organization says the cost for closed captioning will result in reducing or stopping their TV program or other important activities.

The FCC should stand strong and not weaken the closed captioning rules due to pressure from networks and media producers. The FCC should not make a new category of TV programs that can be excused from the closed captioning rules. Without FCC support of closed captioning, hundreds of other TV programs may petition to be excused from closed captioning. The closed captioning rules have been around for years. Clearly, captioning is not too difficult or too expensive.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) petitioned the FCC in protest of their recent decisions and to enforce captioning regulations. Read more about the NAD's efforts.

Some resources regarding this topic:
http://www.handsandvoices.org/articles/tech/dis_captions.html - an article on disappearing TV captions
http://www.ncicap.org/Docs/history.htm - a history of TV captioning

Captions Promote Literacy
There are lots of reasons to support captioning! Captioning is not only essential for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences, but also it is a valuable literacy tool for English as a Second Language students, adult literacy learners, and children who are learning to read.

How To Talk To Someone Who Cannot Hear
posted April 3rd, 2009
Communicating with people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (referenced by the www.adaportal.org) is easy when you remember these simple facts!

Things to know:

• The term “hearing impaired” is offensive. The proper terms are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
• One in ten people have some form of hearing loss.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons are part of every workplace.
• Not all persons who are deaf are unable speak.
• Not all persons who are deaf lip-read.
• American Sign Language (ASL) is not another form of English; it is an official language with its own grammar, syntax and rules.
• Sign languages develop specific to their communities and are not universal. For example, American Sign Language is completely different from British Sign Language even though both countries speak English.
• Not all persons who are deaf use sign language.
• Lip-reading, while helpful without sound clues, is only 30%-50% effective, and sometimes less.
• More persons who are deaf or hard of hearing have some hearing rather than no hearing at all.

Things to do:

• Find out how the person communicates best.
• Establish communication however possible including: gestures, pointing, facial expressions, signs, written notes, touch and speech.
• If the person reads lips, speak in a normal, not exaggerated way. Short, simple sentences are best.
• Be aware of situations where a person may be waiting for a service (transportation, a table, the start of an activity) where the common way to communicate is an announcement or the calling of the person’s name. Make sure you write down the announcement and develop an alternative way of notifying him or her.
• Gain his or her attention before starting a conversation.
• If the person lip-reads, avoid blocking their view of your face. Make sure the lighting is good.
• If there is some doubt in your mind whether he/she understood you correctly, rephrase your statement and ask him/her if you have been understood.
• A Deaf person who uses sign language should be provided a professional sign language interpreter for meetings and all other gatherings where there are speakers.
  If the person is using an interpreter, address the Deaf person, not the interpreter.
• A Hard of Hearing person, who does not use sign language, may wish for you to provide CART for meetings and other gatherings. CART stands for Communication Access Real-Time Translation. It may also be referred to as real-time captioning.

Things to consider:

• When someone asks, "What did you say?" the answers, "Never mind," "Nothing," or "It’s not important," are very common replies. These are insulting and demeaning because they communicate that the person is not worth the effort of repeating yourself.
• Persons who deal very well one-on-one in communication may have a hard time with two or more speakers, especially if there are many interruptions and interjections.
• Showing impatience to someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing may cause someone who is less assertive to back off from telling you of his/her needs.

Things to avoid:

• Make sure there are no physical barriers between you and the person while in conversation.
• If the person is using hearing aids, avoid conversations in large, open and noisy surroundings.
• Do not become impatient or exasperated with the person if it takes longer to communicate.
• Do not use family members and friends of the Deaf person as an interpreter.

Want to learn more?
Take a sign language class! Get involved and embrace a minority cultural group. Sign language is also a fantastic way to communicate with children. Mommy and Me sign language classes are sweeping in the nation. Get on board!

Our very own Anthony Natale has a tape in which he teaches sign language –
Sign Language Fun for Everyone: How to Talk to a Person Who Can't Hear. Check it out today!

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