With over 20 years experience in film, television and theatre I am able to confidently offer a consultancy service to suit your requirements. These can be carried out in person or over Zoom at your convenience.
Examples of consultancy services I provide are listed below, however if something is not listed please get in touch to discuss what you’re looking for.
*Support casting, rehearsing or training deaf actors, sign singers or performers. A BSL consultant is an invaluable asset if you’re planning to use deaf talent, but don’t have native BSL users who work in the field already on your team. A consultant can help find authentic, native sign language users, support deaf actors with translation or rehearsals, and also feedback to a creative team with ‘deaf eyes’ how work will be perceived by deaf audiences.
*Support writing or researching when creating new pieces featuring deafness or deaf people. I have worked with writers who want to ensure their portrayal of deafness or a deaf character is accurate and that representation in their literature is respectful to the deaf community. I have also proof read and amended script drafts to ensure dialogue is deaf-friendly and respectful to deaf issues.
I have mentored writers, and worked with BSL using writers to develop their scripts for television too.
I can offer careful consultation to writers who may wish to cover a sensitive topic for the deaf community or deliver an insightful piece of work to inform mainstream hearing society.
*Support producing, rehearsing or filming with deaf actors/performers for the stage or screen. BSL consultants are invaluable if you are developing a production with a deaf actor, especially if they are a British Sign Language user. From the moment you even think about casting a deaf actor, a BSL consultant can offer support throughout every step to ensure the process is smooth, informed and accessible.
*Professional and confidential support for BSL interpreters or deaf performers working on musicals, stage performances or live concerts/gigs.
If you’ve been booked to translate a musical set and you’d value an extra pair of eyes for feedback, to ask questions or spend creative time with – using a BSL consultant with signed song experience can be highly reassuring. I have worked with hearing RSLI’s as well as deaf relay translators. Working as a team we can ensure your translations are accurate and authentic, and your performances are smooth and stylish!
Past services include consultancy for:
The Commonwealth Games Celebration, Birmingham
The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle (for King Charles II)
Child’s Play illustrations
Cadburys ‘ fingers big or small campaign’
Remark! interpreting service
Nottingham Playhouse Theatre – musical
Ford – campaign
The British Deaf Association
Scuffed Shoes Theatre (Leicester)
Fierce Festival (Birmingham)
Red Earth Theatre (Derby)
The Wild and the Innocent (Derbyshire)
Research & Development for Robin Hood, Derby Theatre
Cutting It (Royal Exchange, Manchester)
Sing It Ultimate A Cappella (Sky One)
See Hear (BBC1)
The WOW Foundation
The National Deaf Children’s Society
Rebecca Anne Withey 