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Hi! My name is Jade.
My real name is Ann Marie Bryan but everyone calls me Jade.
I have a very important message for people in the Deaf
and Signing communities as well as hearing people who know nothing about Deaf culture.
Some people, including my friends, asked me to vlog about this topic
because it's important for the community to be aware.
I had to think about it for several weeks to decide whether I would do it.
I decided to go ahead and do this vlog
because I think it will affect the community and open eyes.
What I want to do is simply spread information,spread awareness.
What I've noticed over time is VRS companies, almost all of them,
tend to favor White Deaf filmmakers with white-based content and topics,
not related to people of color or multicultural issues related to us.
I want to let you know a bit about myself.
I've made films for 24 years. 24.
I've made many different films. Short films, documentaries, my own written creations.
I just produced my first feature-length film.
That adds to many more.
In the past, I've written proposals to those VRS companies asking for support for my films.
For example, "On and Off the Stage, the Bruce Hlibok Story", I asked for support.
What I mean by support doesn't necessarily mean financial support.
I mean support through spreading the word,
being involved with film showings, getting communities to come and pay to view the films.
Those VRS companies could have sponsored by getting the space and advertising the event, recognizing this as an important project.
But that didn't happen.
It didn't happen with the Bruce Hlibok documentary, my 9/11 film.
My 9/11 film was a diverse one, with a diverse cast of people who experienced September 11th.
Again, I sought out support - for finances, touring, showings.
I got nothing. Nothing.
As for "If you Could Hear my Own Tune" in ASL, it's signed this way.
It's about Deaf-Hearing relationship.
Again, I didn't get any support for that one.
For my current project, "The Shattered Mind"- now, get this, this film is about a Black Deaf perspective.
I've gotten ZERO support.
One VRS provider said, "I'm sorry. We can't support this because this has nothing to do with our goals this year."
I thought this over and wrote them back asking for more explanation.
I heard nothing back from them.
I think it's time for me to bring this knowledge to the Deaf communities through Facebook and social media.
I chose Facebook because I feel I can get more responses from the communities, friends, and supporters.
I asked three questions. Name films made by Deaf Filmmakers of Color that VRS providers sponsored?
The answer was none. Believe it or not. None.
Did any of those films explore issues related with intersectionality, multiculturalism, diversity?
None.
Did they support any Deaf Filmmakers of Color? No.
Those three questions… very interesting.
I did my own research. Wow. Let me ask you something.
Do you think something's wrong?
I'm thinking, looking at this situation, it's possible that there is bias,
favoritism happening to make sure they all look good.
I want all VRS companies to really start exploring themselves because what truly bothers me is I'm Deaf,
I use their services. I make calls through Video Relay Services providers.
I'm a businesswoman. I'm a businesswoman first. I make films also, but I'm a businesswoman.
So I use VRS to make calls for many different reasons.
And guess what - those VRS providers are taking advantage of my call minutes,
making a profit off my calls, off my minutes, which means you too.
I want you to really think about that.
If they don't want to get involved with community accountability, what does that say?
What does that say about you? Not being willing to support the community?
We make all those calls and the FCC pays the VRS companies because of our minutes, because of our calls.
Yet Deaf People of Color are being put aside and told we're not important.
Yes, I've noticed those VRS companies tend to support White Deaf Filmmakers.
They should instead support the project itself, rather than look at people they don't like.
That's the problem. I'm not worried about them not supporting me now.
I think I've moved onto another stage where I know I will get funding.
Nothing has stopped me from getting funding for all my other projects.
It just takes me a bit longer, that's all.
So if they prefer to support those white filmmakers, that's fine.
Sometimes I sit back and go, hmmm how did those filmmakers get funding
when they don't really make outstanding, high-quality films.
The content isn't always thought-provoking, serious, educational…
stories that can impact, influence, and inspire our lives.
I really want you to look at that.
I'm not asking you to boycott VRS providers.
I know you need VRS to make your calls. It's comfortable to rely on that service.
But for myself, I will cut off VRS, all of them, for one month.
Hit them where it hurts-- their wallet.
It's up to you to join me. I know it's not easy but that's your decision.
Then what other solution can we use to talk with VRS companies - to say hey, what you're doing isn't fair.
It's not justified. You know, I've already talked to the FCC about this.
The FCC said they don't normally keep track of who VRS companies decide to sponsor.
But I can tell you this - they have never sponsored any of my films, or myself as a filmmaker.
I want to make that clear, make sure you understand that.
When I make movies - the content, the topics I use - they have never supported that.
They haven't even supported one of my films on tour, spreading awareness and recognition of Deaf People of Color in the communities.
They don't recognize that, they don't support that, they just ignore it.
I feel that those VRS providers aren't made up of very creative people.
I work on other projects as well. I created a music video.
Often I would suggest that we include an actor in our video,
or do a video ad using our actors by promoting their products in our film.
It didn't happen. I was ignored once again. What does that tell you?
Let's talk about ROI.
VRS companies are all about this term, ROI.
We tried to come up with ways where… for example, with DeafNation,
they did support my 9/11 film. They put the 9/11 film on their website and we got recognition through the website.
DeafNation expos bring many people together, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing, etc.
At least one or two thousand people coming together.
Those VRS providers should think out of the box.
I want to support your film. OK, maybe we could have a showing on a Friday evening before a DeafNation expo.
Or even show a film that evening after the expo.
I often notice they do that with other filmmakers, but not with me. Why?
When one of those VRS providers responded to my e-mail.
Well, technically, they didn't respond to my e-mail.
We met in person and discussed this issue.
He said it has nothing to do with race.
I looked him in the eye and said wow, are you kidding me? It is. PERIOD.
How could you be so gullible and naive by thinking it has nothing to do with race.
Hmmmm. I explained my case and said it's discrimination, racism, biased, favoritism.
You have to look at the bigger picture here. It doesn't sit right with me.
I want to mention something, when I say this has something to do with race…
For example, a reliable source informed me, this is an actor in one of my films,
trying to help me get funding from one of those VRS providers.
He said, a person that works for a VRS company told him
the reason why they don't want to support or contact me is that my film, "If You Could Hear my Own Tune"
a film about hearing-deaf relationships with black actors.
The VRS representative said it had too much cussing, two gay men in the film.
WHAT? Are you serious? Really?