I am thinking about signing & producing videos.
I don't often get a chance to sign with people these days so I'm a bit hesitant about this idea; however I also don't want to lose my ability to sign by not using it at all.
I've
been putting some thought into this. The EASIEST way for me to do this would
be a "semi-casual" setting. I have some ideas from other bloggers I've seen on YouTube & elsewhere. A combination of scripted content and off-the-cuff "Shorts" might be utilized to achieve my goal of spreading positive news about technology & other subjects I think would be of interest to my fellow HoH & disabled community.
While I'll be speaking & signing it won't be American Sign Language (ASL), it will be something known as "contact signing" - ASL signs but rearranged in English word order. There's an older term that's frowned upon these days called "Pidgin Signed English" (or PSE). That mode is most natural for me, so that is what I'll be using.
This could potentially be a political landmine. I'm aware how the Deaf feel about their culture being appropriated & that is not my intention. I think I have a good grasp of technology & how it can be used to improve the quality of life. But I don't seem to stumble upon that kind of content when I go looking for it - where people are signing when discussing it. I will NOT be teaching people HOW to sign - there are other places they can go for that: Bill Vickers online, or even Marlee Matlin's iPhone app to name just 2 off the top of my head.
I've spoken with my partner about this idea off & on for the last year or so, & she's on board.
I've been purchasing equipment & other odds & ends over the last year in preparation. Foam tiles, ring lights. I'm looking at Blue Yeti microphones, etc. I'm also going to "recycle" my old Lumia 1020 as the initial camera for recording "studio" video. I've got my Pixel and other devices to generate b-roll footage as well if needed. I'm not sure how complicated it will be at first, but I am sure it will evolve.
Thank you for reading my ramble. Have a great day.
