Deaf, Profoundly

Aim: This is a fictional film that wishes to discuss and open up the conversation to a broader audience about the life of those who are CoDA's.

As Jessica traverses motherhood and Oscar grapples with the pain and confusion of being a teenager, this film explores a fractured and strained relationship between a young adult and his profoundly deaf mother.

A delicate exploration of deafness, the audience are invited to hold Oscar's hand as he discovers the deaf experience, in an attempt to bridge the gap between him and his mother.

Deaf, Profoundly is inspired by intimate explorations of life, where at their core the human experience is at the forefront of the story. Aftersun (2022), Petite Maman (2021) and Wildlife (2018) all explore the complexities of growing up, both as a child and as an adult. Navigating the world and the tangible experiences that shape you as a person. The duality of child / parent relationships in all of these films are constructed in such a way that the characters feel out of reach from each other. With further literary influences such as Normal People by Sally Rooney, and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Deaf, Profoundly explores this further, and we can’t wait to show you.

Although visual inspirations for this project are various, they share a few similarities - exhibiting emotions as the main focus of each shot, whilst also recognising the vast spaces that they inhabit. Deaf, Profoundly explores the idea of space as a character, watching as it consumes Jessica or Oscar in a particular setting. Manipulating how we shoot the deaf experience, and the flip-side of shooting being so far removed from that experience, makes for an extremely interesting and exciting film ahead of us! We as a crew can’t wait to learn even more about the deaf experience, these characters and the real lives of deaf people close to us. We look forward to sharing that with you all, in this film. 

Whilst Deaf, Profoundly follows a dramatic and often at times intensive narrative, the use of soft lighting contrasts against this; balancing the film visually as more humane, and allowing us access to the more vulnerable sides of our characters, Jessica and Oscar.

Visual aims: more flattering to the face and body than hard lighting, soft light diffuses hard shadows, softens dark areas, and generally eliminates the edges that can distract from the natural angles of the human form. This will allow us to create a realistic look at the environment and the characters within, allowing the audience, all of you, to connect with the story much more than you’ll realise.

Production Design mood-board by Madi Popal

Calvin Lupton

I’m Calvin Lupton, the writer and director of Deaf, Profoundly.  I have used my life as a hearing CoDA to build a narrative that is brought to life by real, lived experiences. This film is, of course, massively influenced by the deaf community and the life events of deaf people around me, such as my deaf parents. 

Having been able to sign before I could speak as a child, the deaf community is one that I am deeply intertwined with – the complex relationship of being part of a community that I will never have a first-hand understanding of as a hearing person, is what drives our main character Oscar. 

I am an extremely visual storyteller, with character at the forefront of how I showcase and develop any story.  The characters emotions are what lead the film, which allows you as an audience to hold our characters hands and be with them throughout. At its core this film is a gentle exploration of deafness, and I can’t wait to share more with you all.

Keira Billington

Hiya, I'm Keira one half of the producing team.

Although at first glance this story may not resonate with everyone and their life experiences, the themes within the film of inclusivity, growth and family relationships is something that everyone of us can relate to. It is a great privilege to produce this film along with Freya and help Calvin bring his ideas and visions to life. 

My job as a producer is to oversee the production and help each department bring their roles together to create the final film.

I hope this film inspires many to take a step in helping unify our two communities of hearing and being profoundly deaf.

Freya Newland

Hia, I'm Freya... the other half of the producing team.

Although I have never been directly impacted by deafness, I have always been fascinated by the ability of the deaf community to hear the world around them just with different senses: the way often their awareness of the world around them is far stronger than those of us who can hear. 

I am in awe of our director, of what he is creating and how he is choosing to tell his own story.

I am learning a lot about a community where deaf groups in almost every area have made homes for those who needed to rebuild a family who truly understood one another. I find sign language an incredible form of communication not only to eventually try and understand but even to watch in its rhythmic movement. This film doesn’t feel like a cry for help but an accessible key to understanding, empathy and sincere recognition. 

I can’t wait to see what this film becomes, Freya x

Keeley Jones

Hi I’m Keeley and I’m working as the First Assistant Director on this film! 

A 1st AD is integral to the film-making process as we are in charge of the safety of everyone involved in the project. I’m also there to make sure our shooting days run as smoothly as possible by keeping us to our schedule. Working on this project as 1st AD will be a different experience for me as we will be working with deaf actors. I’m excited to learn new skills and to also learn some sign language! 

I know how important this cause is to the director, Calvin, which is one of the reasons I wanted to work on the film. I’m really looking forward to shedding positive light on the deaf community and to learn more about their way of life. 

Madi Popal

Hi I’m Madi, the Production Designer for Deaf, Profoundly! 

I’m so excited to create a visual world that explores the beautiful, fragile and delicate relationship between Jessica and Oscar. The visual aesthetics of the film is inspired by the simplicity and stunning interiors of Éric Rohmer films. I can’t wait to expand my knowledge on how to best represent a deaf person in the film industry. Using DeafSpace I have been researching key areas like proximity, sensory reach, mobility, light and colour.  I can’t wait to bring Calvin’s story to life. It's such an important story being made!

Amy Cox

Hello! My name is Amy and I am the Director of Photography for ‘Deaf, Profoundly’.

I’ve always had a huge interest in emotionally-driven stories like these, so I cannot wait to incorporate my passion for technology into the production of a genre I hold very close to my heart. Having known Calvin for a little while now, I know just how personal and meaningful this story is for him, so having the privilege of helping him bring that story to the screen for audiences to resonate with, means a lot to me as a friend. My role involves a great deal of creative collaboration with the Director, whilst also managing a team of lighting and camera crew, to technically achieve the desired vision for the film. We are already off to a brilliant start and I look forward to experiencing the unique journey that this production unfolds for everyone involved!

Sarah Gant

Hello I’m Sarah, the Gaffer for Deaf, Profoundly. 

Working on this film will be such a meaningful experience due to the personal connection it has and the moving story it portrays and I cannot wait to collaborate with such talented people. As the head of the lighting department my role will be to make sure the Director’s and DoP’s ideas will be able to effectively come to life. As it is both a realistic and naturalistic story I want to make sure the lighting matches both the way the characters will be feeling and their environment.

Josh Glatz

Hi I’m Josh, the camera operator. 

Camera operating is a passion of mine and I’m excited to be able to express my ability through such a powerful and moving film. 

Being the camera operator for this film will require the collaboration with the whole crew especially working closely with the DOP to achieve the directors vision. By framing the characters to express their emotions, this will immerse the viewers into the story placing them into the space. Although I have no personal relation to the story, this creative take on capturing how difficult it can be to get by with a lack of hearing will allow all of us to grasp a deeper appreciation for those whom struggle with deafness everyday.

Already, collaborating with this amazing crew has been a great experience and we’re only at the beginning of Deaf, Profoundly’s journey.

Eddie Mould

Hi there, I’m Eddie Mould and I will be editing Deaf, Profoundly. 

This project piqued my interest with the ways it explores languages and how communities and relationships exist around them. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the visual world of manual communication – a place which is, for the most part, new to me. At the end of the day, language is how we communicate and tell stories, just as editing is how a film’s story gets told – and I am excited to help construct and tell this narrative with everyone else on the team!

Jay Deegan

Hey, I’m Jay Deegan and I’ll be the production sound recordist for Deaf Profoundly.

I’m excited to be working as part of a great crew on a film that will positively represent the deaf community. As someone who does sound I don’t have any direct personal relation to the subject of deafness however I am very interested as to how the role of sound changes when presenting this subject. With Calvin’s touching story and a wonderful crew, Deaf Profoundly will be an excellent film to work on. 

Luke Meaney

Hi! I'm Luke, the sound designer for Deaf, Profoundly

When I first heard this inspiring story I was already thinking of ways to manipulate sound to help those with hearing to somewhat understand the reality of the deaf experience. Sound is a part of life that often goes ignored, when as humans we usually feel most stimulated by the visuals around us. 

The immense task of sound design when representing this story is something I feel passionately and honoured by as this is an important story to the director. The diegesis of this film through the deaf community's eyes is something that isn't explored enough and I can't wait to work with such a talented director and crew!

'Deaf, Profoundly' is a film that benefits all of us. It’s inclusivity, with an opportunity for everyone - including our crew and all of you - to gain something from this film. The potential to showcase just how powerful deaf people can be, through their normal everyday lives. The story that comes from real lives and experiences is one that needs and deserves to be told, putting the British deaf experience at the forefront of a small corner British Film in a way that it deserves.