The Thing

If you think that laser cutting is a doodle, think again. Firstly you have to prepare the original art work. It has to translate for CAD which means an export to DXF or other not-so-much-fun vector formats. Software that drives the laser cutter might not like your drawing anyway. Which means some hard and lengthy labor redrafting every each little hands, without bazier curves (don't ask) to dots. But than it turns out that the ol'machine closes open points 'cause it doesn't like the open ends. Great now you have a whole load-of-mess on the screen. Back to drawing, again! Test it! Draw it again! Test it! Draw it again!...for goodness'sake! At the edge of madness came the relief in a shape of a Techsoft man and his trusty machinery. A new laser cutter, smaller, nimbler, easier and most of all user friendlier. It takes 10 minutes to master, works with ANYthing you throw at it as long as you can import it into 2D Designer. Which is the cutest (and mean it) technical drafting software I have ever seen. It works! (as the picture shows above), with stellar result! Thanks Mr Tim! I couldn't have done it without you!

Talking Hands Goes to School

This was the fun part. I spent a couple of days at the Haberdasher's Aske's Hatcham College (secondary school) to develop and test Talking Hands. (This name incidentally came to me during the first day there) The girls were fantastically helpful, enthusiastic and supportive. We came up with a bunch of game ideas on how to play with the little hands. Such as "Sign Scrabble", "Handy Hang-Man", I Have Signs in My Basket" and I Spy with Signs. We have decided that the rules should be loose and based on democratic principles. This is consistent with the ethos of my Cooperation Project. (read previous entries)

The Making of Talking Hands

Talking Hands is a game that is played without talking. Hence I've decided to shoot a film about it in the style of Silent Movies. I though it would aptly communicate the project and the slapstick elements would add a bit of humour too.
I drew a rough story board first, about two kids fighting over a doll in the back of a car. Mum and dad looking angry. Than mum gets out Talking Hands (my game) and hands it to the girls, who cheer up immediately. While they're happily playing in silence, mum and dad look blissful. - The next scene is where the little boy is making lots of noise with his toy. Dad is trying to read the paper. Than he gets out The Game and plays with the kid quietly, both looking very happy. - The third scene is a little flirting between a girl and a boy in a pub. This was mostly improvised on 'set' at the Hobgoblin pub.
My long suffering flatmates, friend's and family all helped out. They were better than any pro at acting and I am truly very grateful for all their time, effort and most of all, good humour! - Even the weather worked out perfectly. It rained during shooting the car scene emphasizing the long miserable Sunday drive, but when we shot at the pub, the sun bright and the beer was cold and it all contributed to the fun atmosphere the scene required.
Editing isn't as much fun though...Luckily I managed to find the right music (royalty free) at www.incompetech.com and an other friend who is a pro sound designer helped me a out too.

The ASL Alphabet

Free for all! - Not for (re)sale! - Learn them, use them, Enjoy!