Gary Brooks strikes a pose with his dramatic artwork from Dr. Hand.
(Photo illustration by Yiqiao Wang)
Deaf filmmaker Gary Brooks has always dreamed of working in Hollywood as a film producer. Brooks, who works in the Gallaudet University Television Production Department, has been producing film and TV programs since graduating from Gallaudet in 1995.
Brooks recently received a prestigious Telly Award for his 80-minute film, Dr. Hand. The film is about a magician who embarks on a journey in search of three legendary elements in American Sign Language that are necessary for the healing of a sick deaf boy. It won the Bronze Telly Award in the Outstanding Children’s Audience category. Brooks’s film was recognized out of 12,500 other entries. “When I received the notification that we had won this award, I pretty much almost hit the floor in shock,” said Brooks. “It’s such a tremendous, huge honor to receive this award.”
Dr. Hand is the first in a trilogy that Brooks hopes to produce. According to Brooks, the film was a challenge to make. “I had to save my money until I was able to afford the financing for this film,” he said. “Next up was filming, which took place every Saturday from September 2003 until October 2004.” Brooks also spent countless hours on editing, visual effects, and animation. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the talent of the actors and crew involved in this production, to be honest. They were such a great group, and it was like a big, happy family.”
Founded in 1979, the Telly Award is a highly-respected and widely-known award that honors outstanding local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. Brooks hopes his Telly Award will bring his dream of working in Hollywood a little closer to reality. “It’s my hope that with this award, the hearing world will know that deaf filmmakers like myself can accomplish filmmaking,” said Brooks. “It’s my dream that Hollywood executive producers will give me a chance to direct a major film.”
For more information about Dr. Hand, visit the Blue Apple Films website.
