What is SignLens?
SignLens is a signing video format for filming academic and professional works in sign language. We break down the key elements of filming to make it simple and accessible for all. By having a standard to follow, it takes the guesswork out of filming clear and authentic works in sign language.
Why SignLens?
This idea came about as I, as a teacher, watched countless video works from my students. Again and again, I felt frustrated and dissatisfied by many of the videos that were submitted. It was not because the content was not good, but the quality of the video production made the content hard to understand or appreciate. I realized that no matter how valuable the information being shared, if the production made it hard to understand or was a distraction, it didn’t really matter what the message was. I’m sure if you are a teacher, you have felt the same frustration at times.
I wanted to help my students get their message across and contemplated a solution. I realized that while English writing has formatting standards that students needed to follow, there was no equivalent for signed works. This was a huge part of ASL education that was missing! Why were there no resources or standard to teach our students how to document sign language?
Fortunately, I had had the opportunity to learn from and work with great Deaf filmmakers, as well as teach courses on creating academic and professional films in sign language. I wanted to use my passion of film and sign language education to create a resource that followed proper filming techniques but would be simple enough for anyone to use.
That was the thought process that paved the way for SignLens.
Clarity
One purpose behind having a standard for filming sign language, is to assist with clear communication. Without knowledge of how to film, the content may be great, but it is often sabotaged by the production.
Authenticity
Just as sign languages differ from spoken languages, documenting sign language also requires a different approach. Knowing how to film sign can help make the message feel natural and authentic. The viewer will feel more connected to the signer.
Equality
The academic world can publish their written works because they follow a standard set of rules when writing. Establishing a filming standard promotes the idea that sign language is not inferior but equal to the written word.
Why a Standard is Necessary
Having a standard for filming signed works is vital as it fosters clarity, authenticity, and promotes the idea that signed languages are equal to the written word. Without a standard for filming signed academic works, deaf students and students learning sign language as a second language miss a crucial part of their sign language education. We fear many great works and messages in sign language are being lost because of the lack of knowledge in how to film it.