The Game of Life at Deaffest 2010

My first short film – a proper one – since graduating from the two-year professional film and television course in Gateshead in 1991 will be shown at the Deaffest 2010 on 21st – 23rd May.

'The Game Of Life' is a dark comedy about a Deaf poker night with five friends, however, one of them – the dealer – does not turn up. Instead, a mysterious, well dressed Deaf stranger called Luc, tuns up to take the dealer’s place. The game seemingly starts off as normal, but Luc wins every game with three sixes in his hand and the game descends into a nightmare when the players discover who Luc really is...

It stars David Ellington, Julian Peedle-Callo, Jason Taylor, Matt Kirby and Daryl Jackson along with a cameo from Paul Neal. Written, produced and directed by me and executive produced by Neath Films in association with BSLBT.

Yeah, it's taken me that long to reach that goal You see, I didn't actually not do anything during the wilderness. In fact, I used to work in television and video – you can see my showcase if you don't believe me. Five of the Deaf graduates from the North East Media Training Centre course had set up Europe's – and possibly the world's – first-ever all Deaf production company, Deaf Owl in  1992. Of all the current and the defunct Deaf production companies since then, we were the daddy of the Deaf production companies. Sadly, it didn't last long as it closed down on December 24th 1993 due to the recession at that time and non-existent support from Channel Four that we were promised and we all went on our separate ways. Thanks guys for the lovely early Christmas present.

So, remember these names: Nick Sturley, Joe Collins, Siobhan O'Donovan, Gohar Nisar and Clare McCann (now Canton)) – they were there first!

I bade my time doing other things, including writing books and self educating myself on scriptwriting. And did the video work too. To keep me happy though it has been quite frustrating trying to get one or more of my scripts produced by those who didn't seem to take me quite seriously because of my obvious personal circumstance. I know this may sound rather blunt, but that was how I saw it.

When Neath Film's Zoom Film Scheme came to my attention late last year, I actually – and literally – hopped on my desk chair and applied for it and got it.

Now, the film has been made and it'll be shown at Deaffest as well as in the BSL Zone in the Community Channel later this month. I'm most grateful for BSLBT and Neath Films for giving me – and others – the opportunity to do it. As far as I'm aware, I'm the only Usher director in the whole world of BSLBT and I think I have shown very well for what I could do.

Filmmaking has always been my first passion and it felt like I had come home when I signed "3-2-1... Action!". I do hope that I can make more in the future.

I'll be at Deaffest, by the way, so hope to see you there too.