The Making of Reunion: A Bilingual Drama Exploring Deaf Culture and Communication

The Story of Daniel Brennan

• 🎯 Daniel Brennan, a deaf man, is released from prison after 10 years and embarks on a journey to reunite people and resolve past issues.
• 💔 He has lost his family, friends, and connection to the deaf community, facing isolation upon his release.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 A key part of his journey is reuniting with his daughter and attempting to mend their damaged bond.

Unique Perspectives and Themes

• ✍️ The series is written by a deaf writer, incorporating specific elements of deaf culture that resonate deeply within the community.
• 🗣️ A central theme is the failure to communicate, ingeniously explored through the lens of a deaf character.
• 🌍 The narrative balances universal themes with specific insights into the experiences of a deaf man in prison and re-entering society.

A Love Letter to Sheffield

• 🏞️ The writer aimed to create a love letter to Sheffield, showcasing its unique locations and places from their childhood.
• 🤝 Collaboration with Warp Films, a Sheffield-based company, was a dream come true for the production.
• 💖 The town's generosity of spirit is highlighted, with many local deaf individuals involved in the production.

Inclusive Production Practices

• 🎬 Reunion is an inclusive production, featuring a deaf protagonist, deaf cast members, and deaf crew members.
• 🤝 The connection and collaboration between hearing and deaf crew members working towards a common goal is celebrated.
• 💬 A deaf access team and a whisper track were implemented to ensure a fully bilingual set.
• 👂 TripleC consulted on the production, gathering insights from deaf creatives about their on-set experiences.

Learning and Embracing BSL

• 🌟 Actors Laara Peak and Anmarie Duff learned British Sign Language (BSL) for their roles in a matter of weeks.
• 🎭 The process involved translating vocal acting methods into physical BSL expressions, leading to beautiful and insightful performances.
• 📚 For beginners, learning BSL without prior assumptions allows for a wide-open readiness to learn, with dedicated teachers and immersion in social settings enhancing the process.
• 🗣️ The environment on set is described as alive with signing, demonstrating how easy it is for everyone to communicate when they try.

Showcasing Deaf Culture and Storytelling

• 📺 The deaf community is often underserved on television, and Reunion aims to provide real opportunities for deaf cast and crew.
• 👁️ The series is a visual storytelling experience, emphasizing the use of eyes and observation over reliance on sound.
• 🎢 The story is an absolute roller coaster, combining a thrilling narrative with a unique perspective from the deaf community.