Gallaudet' film launches online

Film Captures the Essences of Gallaudet

A film that involved over 200 Gallaudet students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, board or associates members, and members of the community has been released to the public. The eight-minute film, entitled simply “Gallaudet,” was released June 1.

The online release follows a successful community launch in April at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. The work is directed by alumnus Ryan Commerson and produced by Deaf Studies professor Dr. Dirksen Bauman.

The film begins with a black and white drawing on a sketchpad. The illustration pulls closer and closer until the viewer tumbles inside, like Alice discovering a remarkable new world after falling into a rabbit hole. Therein lies an ASL depiction of the biological architecture of a tree, as well as an artistic account of a DeafSpace presentation, flashes of Gallaudet history, a re-imagining of the Sixth Street market outside the Gallaudet walls, and glimpses of a vibrant classroom discussion and bustling student life. Visual effects and animation created by Braam Jordaan and sponsored by Sprint Relay make the portrayal stunning.

The community response in the first day glowed. “Excellent job on showcasing the strong foundation and unlimited possibilities that Gallaudet can provide,” writes one Facebook fan. “The film captures the essence of Gallaudet,” comments another. Others call it “inspirational” and “phenomenal.”