This inspirational and heartfelt documentary follows four well-known entertainers in the deaf community: a comic, a drummer, an actor and a singer as they attempt to cross over to mainstream audiences. These uniquely talented deaf entertainers overcome great challenges on their way to personal triumphs and professional success
Bob Hiltermann, a drummer in the world’s only deaf rock band, Beethoven’s Nightmare, produces the largest show in the band’s 30 year history.
CJ Jones, a hugely famous and internationally renowned comic in the Deaf world, but virtually unknown to hearing audiences, fights to, cross over to the mainstream by producing the first international sign language theater festival in Los Angeles.
Robert DeMayo, a brilliant actor who teaches at Juilliard, struggles to survive when he becomes homeless while living with HIV.
TL Forsberg, a hard of hearing, singer finds herself caught between the hearing and deaf communities when she attracts her first major producer to record her first CD “Not Deaf Enough.” Chronicled with rare intimacy and candor, See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainer’s Documentary is the first open captioned* commercial film in American history. At the same time it opens the door to deaf culture, allowing the sign language in the film to be accessible to all audiences.
With humor and emotion, director Hilari Scarl captures the many obstacles these performers face daily.
*Definition: Open Captions The term “Open Captions” is used when text is burned-in on the picture, similar to, subtitles for foreign films. Open captions also includes audio descriptors and non-speech, information that assist deaf audiences, such as [phone rings] or a musical note symbol to, indicate song lyrics or background music. Open captions are part of the film and can’t be, turned off, unlike closed captions which can be turned on and off with a decoder. Captions for SEE WHAT I’M SAYING were generously funded by Microsoft.
Mainstream Theater Booking Dates
April 9 – April 15 Mesa, AZ – Harkins Superstition Springs 25
April 9 – April 15 Peoria, AZ – Harkins Arrowhead Fountains 18
April 9 – April 11 Phoenix, AZ – Harkins Christown 14
April 9 – April 11 Denver, CO – Harkins Northfield 18
April 9 – April 11 Chino Hills, CA – Harkins Chino Hills 18
April 16 – April 18 Las Vegas, NV – Century 16 Suncoast
April 16 – April 18 Dallas, TX – Cinemark 17 & Imax Theatre
April 16 – April 18 Abilene, TX – Century Abilene 12
April 16 – April 18 Austin, TX – Tinseltown 17
April 16 – April 18 Elgin, IL – Marcus Elgin Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Gurnee, IL – Marcus Gurnee Cinema
April 16 – April 19 Addison, IL – Marcus Addison Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Oakdale, MN – Marcus Oakdale Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Columbus, OH – Marcus Crosswoods Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Pickering, OH – Marcus Pickerington Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Ashwaubenon, WI – Marcus Bay Park Cinema – Green Bay
April 16 – April 18 Appleton, WI – Marcus Hollywood Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Brookfield, WI – Marcus Majestic Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Menonomee Falls, WI – Marcus Menomonee Falls Cinema
April 16 – April 18 Sturtevant, WI – Renaissance Cinema – Sturtevant
April 16 – April 18 New Berlin, WI – Marcus Ridge Cinema – New Berlin
April 16 – April 18 Saukville, WI – Marcus Saukville Cinema
April 16 – April 19 Madison, WI – Marcus Eastgate Cinema
October 13, 2010 Chico, CA – Focus Film Festival – OPENING NIGHT FILM Director and special guests will be in attendance.