In the September 2019 update on open captions in movie theaters, we share news articles, videos, one state’s bill, and put a well-deserved spotlight on a theater chain in Texas. This month is Deaf Awareness Month! The petition has now reached almost 10,000 signatures.
Media Stories
Open captions got mentioned in two articles in the past month:
August 28, 2019: New Orleans, Louisiana station. Reported on problems with closed caption equipment.
September 13, 2019: Deadline preview article included the film “Moonlight Sonata.” Producer Irene Taylor Brodsky, says: “This [open captions] is a huge form of inclusion,” she said. “Not just for deaf people, but for people who have attention challenges, sensory challenges and mild hearing loss. We are finding out now that so many theaters around the country are asking us if they could show the film in open caption. Theaters are realizing its a huge boon to their box office if they are walking the walk of access and inclusion.”
Video Showcase
The “Sound of Metal,” about an addicted drummer who loses his hearing, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to great acclaim. It also had open captions. Director Darius Marder did an interview with Variety in which he spoke negatively about using closed captioning equipment: “it's kind of awful to go and have to declare yourself like "I'm the handicapped one. I'm gonna sit over here and I'm gonna have some technology that helps me experience this and you're gonna know I'm different. Right? “
Vermont Bill
Did you know that Vermont has a bill for open captions? Vermont’s bill, “An act relating to open movie captioning in movie theaters,” was introduced in February 2019 and hopefully will move forward in the next legislative session which starts in January. The Vermont bill can be read or downloaded. Will your state get a bill in 2020?
Spotlight: Santikos Entertainment
This month, we are shining the spotlight on Santikos Entertainment! Based in San Antonio, Texas, this theater chain at https://www.santikos.com has nine theaters, with three committed to regularly showing open captioned screenings; the Santikos Casa Blanca, the Santikos Rialto (currently being renovated), and the Santikos Northwest. Santikos distributes profits to non-profit organizations in the San Antonio area. (Want to keep up with Santikos OC screenings? Follow DOCMSATX on Facebook; managed by Michael Razzen.)
Captions Help Some People with Autism
Captions also help some people (not all) with autism. Here are comments from the petition citing autism, exactly as they were written:
"I’m signing because I have 2 children one with autism and the other with adhd and they both highly Benifit from this wonderful accommodation. I also have friends who are dear or have hearing loss or currently losing their hearing. Please make a difference in someone’s life. Try to put yourself in their shoes. Help everyone and change the world."
"I'm signing because I have many friends that are deaf, hard of hearing, and autism. It's time to make everyone part of the movie going experience not cater to only the hearing patrons. They can easily show one movie in one theater without open captions and the other with open captions. Please include my friends and family."
"I don't take my autistic son to the movies because I'm not sure he could do it. Having things like this in place would open up a whole new world for him"
"I'm Hard of Hearing and rely on captions. My hearing but ADHD and/or Autistic family members also benefit from the captions."
"My son is hard of hearing and autistic . Everyone deserves the right to be able to enjoy the movie theatre...its an american tradition that is no all inclusive. Please help and sign this along with me so that everyone can enjoy this awesome passtime."
How Can You Help Get Open Captions Everywhere?
- If you live in Vermont, watch the bill and reach out to your legislators to ask for their support.
- Make a video about what open captioning means to you, and post it on YouTube, then share it on Twitter or Facebook.
- Share the petition with everyone you know. Everyone who signs the petition will receive this monthly update newsletter! Sharing is easy, with this shortcut url: https://tinyurl.com/ocmoviesnow