[Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate fromGuideDog Foundation

Sat Jan 18 15:55:22 UTC 2014

Gary,
	With all due respect, I have played sighted characters in stage
plays, such as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol and Mr. Bumble in Oliver!
Among others. Stage blocking generally does not require eye contact, as one
is playing to the audience, and recorded programs can use camera angles to
give the appearance of such eye contact. In fact, some camera takes do not
even have another person present when shot!

Fraternally yours,
Marion

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gary Wunder
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 1:35 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate fromGuideDog
Foundation

I wonder how many people we know who are aspiring actors? It is one thing to
say that a network ought to give a blind guy a chance and quite another to
find that blind guy. In all of my blind acquaintances, I only know of one
woman who aspires to be a professional performer.

I don't want to derail the discussion, but I find myself wondering how well
I would play a sighted person. People readily tell me that they know I am
blind. They may sometimes tell me that I don't act blind, but they are aware
that I do not really make eye contact and that I don't react to visual
changes. I may have other mannerisms as well that I am not aware of or and
unable to correct. So, if I had the talent to be an actor, I bet I could
play a blind person, but could I convincingly play the part of Abraham
Lincoln or, given my height and weight, someone with a little more bulk?

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin
williams
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 12:22 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate fromGuideDog
Foundation

It is my hope that they at least sought out an actor who is blind to try for
the part, but I agree wit Mike; while I am slightly annoyed that a blind
person is not our main actor, may the best actor win. Best man or woman for
the part.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike
Freeman
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 1:12 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate fromGuideDog
Foundation

Pete:

While I understand that you wish to provide employment to aspiring young
actors, consider the implication of your words: one could equally apply
similar reasoning to other parts so that, for example, an African-american
would be discouraged from playing any character in a Shakespeare play.
Thanks but no thanks. The primary consideration should be whether an actor
is right for the part and can play it.

You can't demand equal treatment only part of the time!

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
Donahue
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 9:52 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate fromGuideDog
Foundation

Hello Brian and everyone,

    It doesn't matter. If they're going to include blind characters in shows

never mind the sighted actors. Why not have the real thing a real blind
person playing the part of the blind character. As the words of the song
says concerning blind actors "All they have to do is act naturally."
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate fromGuideDog
Foundation

> hi,
>
> relax, the guy in the show becker wasn't blind and he was really good.
> Bryan Schulz
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lauren Merryfield" <lauren at catlines.com>
> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 8:25 AM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate from GuideDog 
> Foundation
>
>
>> Hi,
>> I do not like it one little bit that they chose to use a sighted actor! 
>> Of
>> all the stupid things to do! That doesn't even make any sense. 
>> Evidently they were more interested in using someone to play the part 
>> they could believe in, so it seems to me that they do not really 
>> believe the capabilities of their blind character or they would 
>> certainly use a blind guy to play the part. That makes me go
pfffffffffft!
>> Thanks
>> Lauren
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
>> cheryl echevarria
>> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 5:19 AM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: [Blindtlk] New NBC Show is about a Graduate from Guide Dog 
>> Foundation
>>
>> The TV show that I posted a few days ago, seems to be about a 
>> Graduate of

>> my
>> guide dog school, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc, in 
>> Smithtown, NY.
>> Which I also live about 2 towns away from.
>> Here is the information about the show.
>> I still concerned as to why they have to use sighted people as 
>> actors, etc instead of real blind people, I guess we will all have to 
>> watch it and find out more.
>> Mark your calendars! The Guide Dog Foundation is very excited to 
>> share the following announcement - This new NBC prime time show is 
>> based on a GDF grad getting his first guide dog and the impact it 
>> made on his family.
>>
>> It's officially official! Watch our special preview during the 
>> Olympics on Sunday, February 23 at 10:30/9:30c before we settle into 
>> our regular time period on Tuesday, February 25 at 9:30/8:30c!
>> The NBC Website about the show:  http://www.nbc.com/growing-up-fisher
>>
>> The show's description: About the Show It's not every family that's 
>> brought closer together by divorce, but then again, the Fishers are 
>> anything but typical. Take Mel Fisher (J.K.
>> Simmons,
>> "The Closer," "Law & Order"), for example. He's chopping down trees, 
>> showing his daughter how to drive, and playing football with his son.
>> except that Mel's blind. Then there's Joyce (Jenna Elfman, "Dharma & 
>> Greg," "1600 Penn"), who is your typical teenager - really into 
>> fashion, busy with school
>> - but the problem is she's Mom. That makes it difficult for her 
>> actual teenage daughter, Katie (Ava Deluca-Verley, "Southland"), 
>> whose advice (and
>> clothes) Joyce is always seeking. At the center of all this is Henry 
>> (Eli Baker), the Fishers' 11-year-old son. Having always been his 
>> dad's eyes and wingman, Henry is less than thrilled when his job is 
>> outsourced to Mel's new guide dog, Elvis. While the boy is at first 
>> reluctant to accept the changes that Elvis brings, adult Henry 
>> (voiceover by Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development," "Identity
>> Thief") realizes upon reflection that his parents'
>> split finally allowed the Fishers to become one happy (divorced) family.
>> Having based the show on his life, DJ Nash ("Up All Night," "Bent") 
>> serves as executive producer along with Bateman, Jim Garavente 
>> ("Identity
>> Thief")
>> and Tucker Cawley ("Up All Night," "Everybody Loves Raymond"). 
>> "Growing Up Fisher" is a production of Universal Television and 
>> Aggregate Films.
>>
>>
>> Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateOffering the Best 
>> in Meaningful Travel Experiences for Everyone!Cheryl Echevarria,
>>
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>>
>> Sign up for our e-newsletter here:
>>
http://http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=uqntbcdab&p=oi&m=110
>> 2801647124&sit=gsgfz6seb
>> Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith. 
>> www.braillesmith.com for all her braille needs.  Gail Smith is the 
>> Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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