Filming ‘The Eye’ was a career milestone- a dream come true.
Deanne was one of the best directors I’ve worked with- extremely well prepared and brilliant. Her background as a professional actor shined every time I saw her working with the cast.
Troy of course blew our minds with his deep understanding of visual storytelling and writing. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win another oscar for his work behind the camera.
To the rest of the cast and crew- I can’t thank you enough for carrying out Deanne and Troy’s vision from paper to screen- I loved working with each one of you 🤟
Using the RED Komodo we shot most of this on my self-rehoused lomo 28mm g21 (a super 35 Soviet Union lens from 1970s)
On set bts by @tyler_coll_photo using Hasselblad with b/w film
Screenplay and Directed by @deannebraykotsur
Story+Executive Producer @troykotsur
Director of Photography @artofthestory
2nd Unit Director of Photography @igordjenge
Technical Supervisor/Gaffer @deafeyejedi
Lighting Director/DIT @tyler_coll_photo
Line Producer David Gardner
Associate Producers @harleydeaf (David and Jodie Gardner)
Prop Masters @addicted2laughing and @dirtydiapers
Edited by @deannebraykotsur
Original ASL song @catchrosa
Original music by @joebrentmandolin
Finishing editor @glenstephens
Costume Designer @dirtydiapers
Special Effects by @artofthestory@deafeyejedi and @amtmediatech
Starring
@johnmaucere@suannespoke@igordjenge
Currently playing in film festivals!!
#cinema #deaf #hasselblad #deaftalent #virals
‘Wolf in Weeds’ made for the 5 day @disabilityfilmchallenge
Transcript- Hi, I wanted to explain why everyone behind the camera was disabled for ‘Wolf in Weeds’. Now let me ask you a question, first- Can you name a disabled actor?
Of course you can. I personally can name up to 10 off the top of my head, but if you ask me to name disabled director or writer, or a DP or producer that made a big Hollywood movie, I can’t think of any- Only ones I can think of made a documentary- not narrative.
So that’s why I pushed to make sure everyone on set was disabled and in fact- our main producer was deaf/blind.
His name is Kekoa and he’s one of my best friends. That’s not why he’s the best producer I’ve ever worked with.
Reason why? because he had to go through that personal challenge that made him more smart more mentally strong than anyone else I’ve ever met.
And all of that experience encapsulated into his producing and...
I know we will make more magic.
And that’s why I’m trying to push everyone out there to write more stories for disabled people please.
And even more important is to hire disabled people behind the camera. So we can get experience to be experienced and now...
I’m here to tell Hollywood- you have no more excuses.
It’s time to make history!
Director+DP- @artofthestory
Written by @artofthestory and @simplykekoa
Produced by @artofthestory , @simplykekoa and @aydin_artsoul
Assistant director- @aydin_artsoul
Technical Supervisor/Gaffer/Audio recording- @deafeyejedi
Line Producer- @simplykekoa
Sound Design- @justamark
Costume Designer- @aydin_artsoul
With Music From @gaelynnlea and @spartanjetplex
Edited by @artofthestory , @aydin_artsoul and @deafeyejedi
Make up artist- @aydin_artsoul
Associate producer- @wesbrownbaby
1st assistant camera- @illestdmc_
2nd assistant camera- @jmelir0
Starring
Sean Jackson @deafeyejedi
Kyle Sinnott @justamark
William Evans @chastite_
Kimberly France Avila @kimberlyfranceavila
Joshua Anthony Gray @jagrayofficial
Armando Garza @mistermrmando@travelwithmando
Wes Brown @wesbrownbaby
Camera- @fujifilmproduction GFX 100 II
Lens- Lomo 28mm 70 series @rawelementslensco
#disabled #deaf #disabili
For most of my favorite directors, their second film was the breakout hit that got their talent recognized- Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Boogie Nights’, Sofia Coppola’s ‘Lost in Translation’, Nolan’s ‘Memento’, Coogler’s ‘Creed’ and Spielberg with ‘Jaws’.
Now I’m hoping for the same achievement with a disabled cast and crew for ‘Gas Money’.
Or maybe our art will end up underexposed and underappreciated like Terrence Mallick’s films.
Either outcome is great, I’m not doing it for the trophies or money, it’s a labor of love for impactful storytelling that hopefully leaves the world a better place.
Honestly, I feel like I’ve already won because I’m making a second feature film with my friends.
Our first round of casting left me speechless. I thought we’d see a few gems but had no idea there was so much legendary deaf talent waiting to shine.
Selecting the final roles for the ensemble will be like having to choose between your father and mother. (assuming they’re both great)
Writers- PLEASE make more projects with deaf characters!
Round two of auditions are forthcoming, this video is a short preview of some of the casting and camera tests (the office scenes were shot with lomo 28mm 70 series/gfx 100 ii)
We are still accepting submissions but the window is closing soon as we narrow down the finalists.
Sometimes the doors of challenge in life are literal and you need to keep trying until it opens
#BTS footage from ‘Wolf in Weeds’ for @disabilityfilmchallenge shot and edited by @aydin_artsoul & @illestdmc_ along with some of @simplykekoa footage sprinkled in
Our team has been expanding over the years and I’m honored to know each crew member as a true friend
#cinema #deaf #deafcommunity #lomo
What a fun conversation with @artofthestory and @thanatologist at the “Deaf Representation in Popular Culture” panel @wondercon . Thank you everyone who showed up and asking your amazing questions. What is the best way to support deaf in popular culture? See their movies. Buy their comics, games and art. You, the audience is the engine the drives opportunities! Thank you all for your support! 🤟🏾
We had a blast on Day 1 of our Cinematography and Directing workshop in partnership with Cinematography for Actors held at the Sony Digital Media Production Center! Thanks to all who presented and attended in person and via livestream! Less than a week left to register for the 2026 film challenge! Sign up on our website today. (Link in bio)
ID: Big group of people with and without disabilities smiling at the camera on set at @sonycine followed by participants in the theater and watching presenters.
#edfc2026 #disabilityfilmchallenge #filmmaking
After 5 years of writing and fund raising- we’re finally ready to start casting for our second feature film!!!!!! Please share with Deaf and CODA actors
If Feb 28 doesn’t work for you we also accept video submissions and there will be another casting round in March or April
Jan film dump part 3: THE EYE private screening!
Had the absolute honor of being the director of photography for the best crew and cast ever!
@deannebraykotsur was our revolutionary director working off a script @troykotsur wrote long ago- Troy also stunned us all with his incredible producing on set.
I’ll never forget the most accessible set ever- no words were spoken, only flying hands.
