Deaf Culture, Access, and Entertainment

About the Film

A FEATURE-LENGTH5X-AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY
ON DEAF CULTURE AND THE QUEST FOR ACCESS TO LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
FIRST-TIME FILMMAKER CAT BREWER BRINGS TOGETHER ENTERTAINERS
(KELLY CLARKSON, .L. HUGHLEY, ANDRE 3000, ANDREW SANTINO ++),
THE DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING COMMUNITY
(MATT MAXEY, NYLE DIMARCO, JOSHUA CASTILLE, PREMIUM GEEK ++),
AND POPULAR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
TO DISCUSS ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION AT LIVE PERFORMANCES
WITH HEART, HUMOR, AND INSIGHT. FEATURING
Kelly Clarkson
Waka Flocka
Matt Maxey
D.l. Hughley
Andrew Santino
André 3000
Pat Monahan
IB Smoove
Camryn Manheim
Chuck D.
Nyle DiMarco
Nate Bargatze
and more!
CREW
CAT BREWER ... DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
WAKA FLOCKA FLAME... EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MATT MAXEY... EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
SARA HIRSH BORDO... EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
CLAUDIA LIN CUNNINGHAM... EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
DAMOND GORDON... CO-PRODUCER
ERIC BERGMAN... CO-PRODUCER
PAM & UWE ROCKEFELLER... ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
KAI KEEFE... EDITOR
MARK DEGLIANTONI... COMPOSER Cart Brewver
Filmmaker Statement
I had been attending music concerts for 35+ years before
I saw a sign language interpreter at a show.
It was 2014, and I was completely ignorant;
I didn't realize Deaf & HOH individuals enjoyed going to concerts
After speaking with the interpreter and then communicating
with the Deaf concert-goers via the interpreter, I was heartbroken and
disappointed when I learned about the incredible challenges this communits
faces when trying to access live entertainment..
something I've taken for granted my entire life.
I shared my unsettled feelings with a friend
who encouraged me to make a documentary….
and so I did.
I've been a college Communications instructor for the past 22 years.
I have no background in film, but I do have a knack for
connecting, communicating, and hustling with gratitude and love
So, I bought a camera and tripod and
traveled across the US, interviewing over 50 different entertainers
dozens of Deaf & HOH individuals and ASL interpreters.
My passions are educating and advocating for things I believe in,
even if they don't directly affect me
My hope is that Sign the Show will create a cultural shift
in the entertainment industry
by making open access to live entertainment the norm
for a more inclusive world. Wake Flocka Flame
Executive Producer
Dr. Juaquin James Malphurs,
known professionally as
Waka Flocka Flame,
is an American rapper and
Executive Producer of the feature-length
documentary Sign the Show.
Malphurs was signed to 1017 Brick Squad
and Warner Bros. Records in 2009,
he became a mainstream artist
with the release of his singles
O Let's Do It, Hard in da Paint, and
No Hands (featuring Roscoe Dash & Wale),
with the latter peaking at number 13
on the US Billboard Hot 100.
His debut studio album Flockaveli was
released in 2010.
His second studio album,
Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family,
was released in 2012 and
was preceded by the lead single
Round of Applause (featuring Drake). Matt Maxey
Executive Producer

Born with severely profound hearing loss,and outfitted with hearing aids at 2 years old,it became apparent at an early age that life would be anything but ordinary
for Matthew Maxey, who founded DEFinitely Dope in 2014.DEFinitely Dope started as an idea based on providing support to those that felt marginalized and ignored by mainstream America and slowly blossomed into a movement, attracting the likes of educational institutions nationwide, CNN, ESPN, GQ, ABC news, Chance The Rapper, and countless more! With both hearing and deaf partnerships in play, Matt strives to continue to break barriers and defy the norms with a fresh perspective on interaction, inclusion, accessibility, and equality, as awareness continues to grow. Sara Nirsh Boards Executive Producer
Sara is a SXSW +13X+ award-winning filmmaker with her films distributed in 35+ countries and the Founder/CEO of Women Rising She was named 'One of the Most Innovative, Interesting, and Purpose-Driven Women-Led Startups to Watch' by Inc Magazine. Sara has written and directed broadcast and digital spots for brands, including TOYOTA, ESPN and worked with studios for female-focused strategies, including Warner Bros and the WONDER WOMAN franchise. Sara previously held positions in media/entertainment, including Executive Director of Interactive Marketing at Paramount Pictures, VP of Digital Marketing at MGM Studios, and CEO and Co-Founder of NowLive, which was acquired by Live Media Group in 2013. Sara is a member of the PGA and 2x Juror for Best Documentary and a delegate to the UN.

SignTheShow@gmail.com
510.755.0627

To find out how to get more involved, head over to our Resources page!