Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
7
↓
Making a short film on dating (self.Blind)
submitted by Glum_Forever_8254
I'm working on a short film about a blind man and a deaf woman going on a date, and what happens during the night. It is a light-hearted comedy, and I intend to portray them in a cool and positive fashion (instead of someone who "needs" help).
I'm worried some may find some elements of the film offensive, and as such I wonder if any kind user here is happy to listen to me read the script to you and feedback on it?
Thanks!
I'm worried some may find some elements of the film offensive, and as such I wonder if any kind user here is happy to listen to me read the script to you and feedback on it?
Thanks!
retrolental_morose 11 points 1y ago
I find the idea that the script should be read aloud far more offensive than any comedy you intend. The idea that we can't read anything for ourselves you are perpetuating doesn't fill me with confidence...
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 6 points 1y ago
>,
Ah, apologies; I read there's a sub-reddit rule that "it is strongly encouraged that all submitted content be accessible to screen readers or have audio description available."
I just thought it means all posts and materials should have audio available as well, hence the offering. I am happy for people to just read it, of course.
Ah, apologies; I read there's a sub-reddit rule that "it is strongly encouraged that all submitted content be accessible to screen readers or have audio description available."
I just thought it means all posts and materials should have audio available as well, hence the offering. I am happy for people to just read it, of course.
retrolental_morose 6 points 1y ago
few! that's a relief.
I don't know how you thought we were reading your actual post, though ... 🤦♂️
I don't know how you thought we were reading your actual post, though ... 🤦♂️
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
That intrigues me too; I see many posts on this sub-reddit without audio, and I wonder if the "have audio" rule is being followed.
retrolental_morose 6 points 1y ago
I presume the rule means that video content without meaningful audio is unacceptable.
Someone without enough sight to read posts will almost always be using a screen reader, which turns text on-screen into speech or Braille. Screen readers generally don't capture pictures of text well, such as a photo of paper, handwriting etc. Generally speaking any text you can highlight and copy is accessible to a screen reader though.
Someone without enough sight to read posts will almost always be using a screen reader, which turns text on-screen into speech or Braille. Screen readers generally don't capture pictures of text well, such as a photo of paper, handwriting etc. Generally speaking any text you can highlight and copy is accessible to a screen reader though.
retrolental_morose 2 points 1y ago
by all means post a link or send a pm with the script, happy to feed back. :)
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks, will send it to you via PM.
[deleted] 7 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks, yeah I totally want to avoid it being ignorant or offensive. I am hesitant to agree to "write what you know", otherwise we would never have Marvel stories, Disney stories, Star Wars would never have been written etc.
Dietzgen17 2 points 1y ago
Marvel, Disney, and Star Wars films are fantasy, speculative fiction, or sci fi. The characterizations, when there's any character development, are based on recognizable human interactions.
You are proposing a screenplay based on two real-life communities about which you know nothing. It's not like you're a member, have a sibling or close friend, or someone contacted you saying the world is crying out for this film. You created a quirky situation because you thought it was cute.
You are proposing a screenplay based on two real-life communities about which you know nothing. It's not like you're a member, have a sibling or close friend, or someone contacted you saying the world is crying out for this film. You created a quirky situation because you thought it was cute.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 0 points 1y ago
That's exactly right.
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 0 points 1y ago
I agree, but he writes from his imagination + research, which is what I'm trying to do.
[deleted] 5 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Tarnagona 3 points 1y ago
Maaaaybe you can pull it off, but from your description, it feels like the joke IS their disability, and this feels off unless you, or other co-writers, have experienced the disabilities you want to portray. Like the humor is haha, they can’t communicate because the one can’t hear speech and the other can’t see sign language. If that’s not the case, maybe you’ve got something that is comedic and fits your goal of positive portrayal, but *shrug*
Disability humor is tricky, I think, because it’s really context dependent to not be laughing at the disabled. For example, I have a friend who walks with a cane, and we joke that the two of us together make one whole person. But if an able-bodied person (especially someone I didn’t know well) tried to joke that I was only half a person, it wouldn’t be funny anymore.
Disability humor is tricky, I think, because it’s really context dependent to not be laughing at the disabled. For example, I have a friend who walks with a cane, and we joke that the two of us together make one whole person. But if an able-bodied person (especially someone I didn’t know well) tried to joke that I was only half a person, it wouldn’t be funny anymore.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I get your point; well, for what it's worth, there's no disability humour in it (i.e. there is no jokes about disability)
Dietzgen17 3 points 1y ago
It sounds kind of gimmicky.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 0 points 1y ago
I don't know if it's gimmicky or not, I just thought it's an interesting premise.
Dietzgen17 -1 points 1y ago
It doesn't sound like you know much about either of these communities.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
No, I don't, which is why I am here.
Adventurous-Bid-9341 2 points 1y ago
Yeah I’m down. My dad is totally blind (so are 2 of his brothers and one sis) so I might have some insight, pm to me if you like
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
>Adventurous-Bid-9341
thanks, will DM you!
thanks, will DM you!
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
>meowprrr
doesn't seem like your DM function is open? If you hit me with a message, I'll send it to you :) thanks
doesn't seem like your DM function is open? If you hit me with a message, I'll send it to you :) thanks
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
should I just post a link on here, maybe that's easier?
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks! Will send it to you via PM
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
go for it! Make sure to add audio description and captions/subtitles, (I'm not sure if they mean the same thing,) if you really want your movie to stand out.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I'm struggling to get someone to read/feedback on my writing; would you be kind enough to have a look?
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
Sure, pm me.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Hi all, I just want to say I understand your concerns, which is exactly why I am on this thread seeking help so I don't portray anyone in a negative light!
And I appreciate someone says "write what you know"; but if everyone only writes what s/he knows, then there are a lot of things in this world no one will ever write about... e.g. I can't write about space travel because I have never been to space; I can't write about the Civil War because I never fought in the Civil War; I can't write a story about a woman because I'm not a woman...
I honestly don't think this is what writing is about.
And I appreciate someone says "write what you know"; but if everyone only writes what s/he knows, then there are a lot of things in this world no one will ever write about... e.g. I can't write about space travel because I have never been to space; I can't write about the Civil War because I never fought in the Civil War; I can't write a story about a woman because I'm not a woman...
I honestly don't think this is what writing is about.
notnolimburger 2 points 1y ago
OK but blindness isn't like space travel, where very few people have ever been in space. Or your example in another comment, about Marvel or Star Wars. Blind and Deaf people are not science fiction, or fantasy, or even rare. And those stories are about regular human experiences of emotion, in a fantasy context. I guarantee you that the writers of those stories were writing what they knew, even if the fantasy elements were imagined. Our experiences are real, and you just don't know about us, so why do you think you are entitled to tell our stories? As if we can't tell our own?
I think you're getting such a strong response here because we are constantly dealing with people's ignorance & misconceptions. Listen to the response you are getting. Your premise sounds insensitive, like it hinges on tired and simplistic understandings of our identities, and will rely on cheap, degrading humor.
Finally, if you actually go through with this, 100% you need to cast Deaf and blind actors if you want to avoid being offensive. This is a well established movement in disability activism & you can google it.
I think you're getting such a strong response here because we are constantly dealing with people's ignorance & misconceptions. Listen to the response you are getting. Your premise sounds insensitive, like it hinges on tired and simplistic understandings of our identities, and will rely on cheap, degrading humor.
Finally, if you actually go through with this, 100% you need to cast Deaf and blind actors if you want to avoid being offensive. This is a well established movement in disability activism & you can google it.
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 0 points 1y ago
about casting deaf/blind actors, definitely I'll try as this short film is really for "diversity and de-stigmatisation".
the really disappointing thing for me is, it seems like people here assume I will add to the ignorance & misconceptions. And assume I will rely on cheap, degrading humour.
this is totally contrary to my expectation; I thought people would be keen to help, make sure my work reflects positively and accurately of their lives, make sure it doesn't rely on degrading/stereotype storylines, and are glad that someone is trying to portray them positively and accurately;
I'm just surprised to learn the assumptions people make before reading my stuff.
The very reason I want to make this is because I watched these YouTube videos where the blind/deaf communities discuss how people think of them differently, when in fact they are just perfectly normal people with a little challenge in everyday life.
the really disappointing thing for me is, it seems like people here assume I will add to the ignorance & misconceptions. And assume I will rely on cheap, degrading humour.
this is totally contrary to my expectation; I thought people would be keen to help, make sure my work reflects positively and accurately of their lives, make sure it doesn't rely on degrading/stereotype storylines, and are glad that someone is trying to portray them positively and accurately;
I'm just surprised to learn the assumptions people make before reading my stuff.
The very reason I want to make this is because I watched these YouTube videos where the blind/deaf communities discuss how people think of them differently, when in fact they are just perfectly normal people with a little challenge in everyday life.
notnolimburger 2 points 1y ago
Honestly just tired of abled people thinking they know my life better than me, and I'm not alone--this is a huge theme in disability advocacy in media. You're getting this response because we've all experienced "well-intentioned" people before. You watched YouTube videos of people telling their own stories and thought you could do a better job telling their stories for them. I'm not trying to bring you down. I genuinely think it's wonderful that you are motivated to advocate on this topic and I believe you that you don't want to be offensive. I think if you really want to make this film, you need some blind and Deaf collaborators & co-writers. This way you can be involved in a project that you are motivated to see in the world and you can ensure that you are not talking over the community you're trying to represent.
I also recommend watching & reading about "Best Summer Ever" a film produced by Zeno Mountain Farm with a fully integrated cast & crew. It came out this past year, and it is a classic high school musical film that makes the truly radical step of casting people with visible disabilities without regard for their disabilities. I think learning about this movie can give you a little more context about the shitty ways disabled people are typically portrayed in film & TV.
I also recommend watching & reading about "Best Summer Ever" a film produced by Zeno Mountain Farm with a fully integrated cast & crew. It came out this past year, and it is a classic high school musical film that makes the truly radical step of casting people with visible disabilities without regard for their disabilities. I think learning about this movie can give you a little more context about the shitty ways disabled people are typically portrayed in film & TV.
dunktheball 1 points 1y ago
what's interesting is a deaf woman on a dating site said she wanted to meet up with me, but I got so nervous thinking of the complications I just didn't do it. (plus I wasn't so sure she was legit... she looked mighty hot and contacted me first, which would be unusual.)
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
>peech or Braille. Screen readers generally don't capture pictures of text well, such as a photo of paper, handwriting etc. Generally speaking any text you can highlight and
Maybe you should give it a go but under caution! Could be a scam, but also could be legit.
Maybe you should give it a go but under caution! Could be a scam, but also could be legit.
dunktheball 1 points 1y ago
It was a long time ago. Probably 5 or 10 years. I am too nervous meeting anyone to begin with is the main problem. lol.
yourmommaisaunicorn 1 points 1y ago
Look up the Helen Keller Association or your state’s Department for the Blind. You’ll be able to find people who are both deaf and blind to consult with. However, I’m really cautious about doing consulting work for free.
Have you submitted your script to The List or had it reviewed for professional capacity outside of the disabilities?
Have you submitted your script to The List or had it reviewed for professional capacity outside of the disabilities?
Glum_Forever_8254 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
>dating site said she wanted to meet up with me, but I got so nervous thinking of the complications I just didn't do it. (plus I wasn't so sure she was legit... she looked mighty hot and contacted me firs
Nope, I am not a professional at all, and am really doing it as an interest project; to want to de-stigmatise how others perceive the dating life of blind and/or deaf people, after seeing some YouTube videos discussing it.
Nope, I am not a professional at all, and am really doing it as an interest project; to want to de-stigmatise how others perceive the dating life of blind and/or deaf people, after seeing some YouTube videos discussing it.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.