Bittersweet History of “Sweet Nothing in My Ear”.
Hello Everyone!
It has been one week since the Hallmark of Fame presented a movie made for TV, “Sweet Nothing in My Ear”, and there were several positive reviews along with a few scathing critical critiques written up.
I assure you that this blog entry is NOT a review. This is different. My video will present a bittersweet background history of this show.
This video is almost 10 minutes long and I assure you will be surprised.
Play Quicktime version
9.51 minutes long
For some people who cannot view this video above, here’s YouTube video below.
With my thirst of knowledge, seeking for the truth and wanting to understand how certain things had happened to us. Everything we do always come with the reason. I did some research about this show online. I was not satisfied.
I decided to talk with Terrylene via videophone for 2 and 1/2 hours on Monday, April 21, 2007. Terrylene was very gracious and she was able tell me the REAL story. I got her permission to share her story with you. It was a honor and I am humbled. Thank you, Terrylene.
First, you may ask…who is Terrylene? Terrylene is a very talented Deaf actress for television, cinema and stage.
Terrylene’s website: T e r r y l e n e
________________________________________________
Sources:
“AUTHOR FEELS LIKE CHEF WHO CAN’T EAT THE FOOD” - Story about Stephen Sachs.
Variety’s review of “Sweet Nothing in My Ear” posted July 9, 1997.
One blog dedicated to the “Sweet Nothing in My Ear” in 1997 describing the popularity of the play.
Sneak preview of Sachs’ script - and no mention dedicating Terrylene or the talented ensemble of “Sweet Nothing in My Ear” who helped to improvise the play.
If you want to learn bit more information how you can support. Go to this link: Save Deaf Theater
April 27th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
That is the exactly reason why we need DeafSide. The hearing world always tries to use Deaf people. CI people try to use Deaf people. Thank you for sharing the real story. I am glad that the story ended the way it did. The husband went to the wife knowing what he did was wrong! The wife did not run back the husband because she knew what she did was right. Deaf people do not need to be FIXED. They are just fine the way they are without surgeries. You are right it is important to give businesses to Deaf professionals (Deaf lawyers, Deaf CPAs, Deaf psychologists, Deaf actors, Deaf………)
April 27th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
This is a bittersweet story! I have a question to ask you. Was Sachs’s name acknowledged in Hallmark of Fame’s film last Sunday? The reason for asking is that I did not watch after the end of the film. I cannot help but I have to say that I consider Sachs as a plagiarist!
April 27th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Hello Amy!
Thanks for sharing the history of the “Sweet Nothing to My Ear.” Is there any place where I can leave message to give those deaf actors/actresses and to thank them for their hard work to make the play a success! Those deaf actors/actresses deserve a credit to be recognized of their hard work and dedication to make play a success! I applaud to the deaf actors/actresses!
*hands in air waving!*
April 27th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I am just blown away by your vlog. Terrylene has contributed so much to our Deaf entertainment and we must not overlook her work. I would love to see more of her work showcased. She is now doing “Peddler’s Daughter” which is a great play to support!
Amy, you are a great advocate by sharing the story behind this story. People need to know what is going on. I liked how you said that there is always story of how it got evolved behind a movie or film. We should have this discussion about EACH film about the Deaf community!
One of the best vlogs this year! You did it again!
Julie
April 27th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Amy, thanks for sharing with us a very valuable tidbit of history.
With the awareness, hopefully the cheated Deaf actors and actresses will get their recognition soon.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
There is always a bigger, truer and more important story behind what people see. We all need to remember this. We are so quick to overlook, assume and judge these days. It’s a strong message that we all need to think about.
Thank you for sharing this story.
Hugs.
~ LaRonda
April 27th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Another question: How much money did Sachs get when he sold his script to Hallmark of Fame?
April 27th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
One time I asked someone why things like this happen, it seems when there is something different and exciting, soon someone with expertise, financial, and network power just grab it. I was not satisfied with a reply that one is just being thoughtless. I had to ask again. Finally I said, particularly why there is such pattern, especially hearing people doing that to us for years in almost every field. I keep on seeing it for years at almost anywhere I go. I got an interesting reply, for me it is really interesting because this hardly crossed my mind, maybe it is because of being more a collectivist with my being adamant this issue. Anyway, that is how I was struck, “It is typical for most people I mean these hearing people to be competitive, they often feel entitled to take almost anything they can get in order to advance their career, status, and make profits.” My reply was, “That is not competition, that is greed..”
I myself had to learn to be clear about intellectual property, copyright, and share of profit from square one. I personally do not like to be blunt when I rather to be able to honor with trust, or I seem offensive? Well, go head discuss about this in a nice way, others will see that you know what you want and are being proactive to maintain good relationship while rightfully protect yourself.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Susan, Jean, DeafFreckles, Julie, Mishka, LaRonda, and Anne Marie -
Thank you so much for your comments on my blog. Most of the credit go to Terrylene who decided to come forward to tell the truth, and sharing the story with me. It is Terrylene who deserves much support throughout this time, and she even needs more support for her future endeavors. Please visit her website, and you will be surprised about her upcoming projects and one-person performances that was set up for months ahead.
Some of you asked very good question, and some wrote very profound statements on this blog. I wish I am able to respond to some of your questions. I’ll try to see if I can pass them to Terrylene. I am sure that we will never know the answer.
Remember, once the movie was shown on CBS, and the higher ratings this movie have, means more advertising dollars. How and where these money go? We don’t know. Everyone definitely get compensation for their literacy works (written, performance, etc…)
Everything what we do everyday - in our lives, outside of our homes, in our workplace, and on the internet… always have a story behind.
Thank you for all of your comments.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Sorry to see that Stephen Sachs did not give any credit to Terrylene Sacchetti. But, this does not surprise me at all. Too many authors did not give credit to people that inspired them. J. K. Rowling, for example, did not give credit to people whose experiences gave her ideas for the Harry Potter books.
There is a legal reason why Mr. Sachs is not obligated to give credit to Ms. Sacchetti. Only Mr. Sachs wrote the story and therefore, he owns copyright in his story. Ms. Sacchetti does not own any of her ideas that are not written down (or to use the legal term, fixed) and therefore, her ideas and experiences are up for anyone to copy if she tells them. If Ms. Sacchetti ever wrote down her experiences on any paper, she may have a claim in the play but this will require a good lawyer to produce a good case for her.
What this tells us is that we have responsibility to know the laws and the rights that we have. I don’t know if Ms. Sacchetti signed any papers that gave away her rights but this needs to be looked into to determine why Mr. Sachs did not give her any credit. Or, perhaps, it is a simple but foolish oversight on part of Mr. Sachs.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
josephpietrojeungriolo@gmail.com
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this post in the public domain.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
HI Amy,
Thank for sharing with us and deaf community. I was surprised what you explained to everybody. I havent see Terrylane’s story from past, no wonder its sold for 12 weeks. I have a question for you… Why can’t CBS choice Terrylane instread Marlee Martlin?
April 27th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
It was Sachs’ idea, not Terrylene’s to write the play. He did the work. He’s the one who came up with the money to cast the original play and stage it. He hired actors to pay their parts, and they did. Didn’t they get paid? Of course they did. It sounds like sour grapes on Terrylene’s part to me. That’s the way theater is — shows move to different cities, and the original cast doesn’t always go with it. Sometimes it’s cheaper to hire local talent. And if Sachs was such a rotten guy, why did Ed Waterstreet, Phyllis Frelich, and Linda Bove, who have known him for YEARS and worked with him before, all agree to work on this film with him?
And Amy, you don’t have the story quite right about how Hallmark got the rights to the story. Read the article in Variety.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Robbie,
The fact remains that Sachs was inspired by Terrylene’s life story. Granted, that he is the one who wrote the story. Without any feedback from Terrylene who helped to develop a character of Laura, and from the Deaf ensemble who made suggestions to tweak lines to make it sound authentic during the 12-week improv and rehearsal session. There is no mention on Sachs’ book thanking Terrylene and other actors/actresses which inspire him.
I think my story gave Terrylene, Bernard Bragg, Freda Norman, Vikee Waltrip their chance to be recognized.
Sachs sold the rights to the story to Hallmark, which is very common thing among all other productions who purchase stories from the writer.
Copyright belongs to Sachs. Rights for all kind of money and creative control go to Hallmark. Who is profiting from this? We can easily figure that out.
Who were left behind? Terrylene, Bernard Bragg, Freda Norman, and Vikee Waltrip.
Does Ed Waterstreet, Phyllis Frelich and Linda Bove know about it? I cannot assume.
All I know is that it is a dog-eat-dog world in Hollywood.
That’s the fact.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
So what you are saying is that TL should have been compensated for selling her life story and also that several people should have been acknowledged as co-writers?
April 27th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Cobra,
Why Matlin was chosen after Terrylene?
Looking at the large network, CBS and Hallmark Hall of Fame, they are very interested to earn profits from the movie made for TV.
It is natural for them to choose the high-profile actress, who is a very talented Deaf actress too. Marlee Matlin brings in dollars for her billing.
Terrylene, who is ‘unknown’ among the Hollywood corporations but extremely respected among the Deaf Community. She deserves as much respect as an ARTIST.
We need to recognize her willingness to share her personal story to Sachs which inspired him to write a very successful script/play. Also Sachs allowed Terrylene to offer feedback to his story to make this authentic.
Imagine if any regular writer writes up a story about a community, language and culture that is completely different from the writer, would this story sound authentic? No.
Let this story brings a brutal reminder that we need to be protective with our creativity by being *smart* with copyright laws, joining the acting guild, getting a strong legal representative, agent, etc….
More and more talented Deaf performers are becoming smarter and they are learning the ropes in an entertainment industry.
It is definitely dog-eat-dog world at the entertainment industry. Just as the same as corporate world, medical and educational settings too.
The morale of the story - support our Deaf performers, invest on them, and stand behind them.
Why?
Media is a very powerful medium to get the point across to the mass audience, just like what “Sweet Nothing in My Ear” and “Dancing with the Stars” did in this month of April.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Hi Amy!
Our Alumna, Gallaudet should have recognized and contributed to Terrylene and Stephen. They also should have received the honorary degrees.
I recalled that Marlee Maltin received the honorary degree in 1987 right after she won an Oscar award.
However, I could not find anything in the internet whether Terrylene obtained the honorary degree from Gallaudet, RIT, and CSUN in the past. (Before Marlee received the honorary degree.)
Here it is:
http://www.gallaudet.edu/x3928.xml
What a shame.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Brian,
Compensated is too late. There are certain statue of limitations that Deaf performers may not get adequately compensated, OR it was beyond the time frame.
Do we ever wonder why the story started in 1997, and why did CBS/Hallmark waited 11 years later to purchase rights to the story? I am sure that it has to do with statue of limitations.
Being recognized, and having Sachs to say something why he was inspired by the story speaks volumes by itself. Sachs, himself alone, did not come up with the story out of the vacuum.
What might happen if Sachs did not meet Terrylene? Would this script ever materialized? Who knows.
What do you, and the readers think, that Terrylene, Bragg, Norman and Waltrip deserve?
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
White Ghost,
The link you provided, it shows that a considerable number of inductees are from the entertainment industry.
You raised a good point here.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Amy –
Thanks for the attention. I hope RIT, CSUN and Gallaudet will raise the questions you brought it up in this blogosphere.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
From the link you posted:
“The play debuted at The Fountain theater in 1997 and was a big hit in Los Angeles. There was immediate interest it in as a play. There was interest in perhaps producing it off-Broadway in New York,” he recalled.
“Shortly thereafter it was optioned by Barbra Streisand’s company - Barwood Production. I wrote a draft of the screenplay for them.” He was paid and Barwood Productions then controlled the rights for one year.
“By then the play was starting to get produced in regional theaters around the country - some I directed and some I did not. Then it got published and now schools are doing it. So, it has its own life as a play. Meanwhile, I was writing the movie version for Barbra Streisand’s company.”
“They loved the draft and began to shop it around. That was just a couple of years ago. At that time they were not able to get it made. So, the option lapsed. The movie rights reverted back to me.”
Joe Sargent receiving a Directors Guild of America award
“I know Joe Sargent, the director, because both of us are on the advisory board of Deaf West Theater which began at my theater, The Fountain Theater in Los Angeles.”
“We got the script to Joe Sargent and he got it to Hallmark. They read it and loved it. It airs in April.”
***********
It was OPTIONED by Barbra Streisand and her production company. That means that she purchased the right to use it in a future production. That contract lasts for a few years. She didn’t do anything with it, and the contract lapsed, so it only recently became available again.
I think that Terrylene, Bragg, Norman, and Waltrip got what they deserved. They starred in the original play. They got paid for it. Nobody FORCED them to be in the production, right? They were lucky that Sachs wanted their feedback. This usually doesn’t even happen in this kind of production.
Seriously, what else should they get? They were actors… If they want credit for writing a play, they should go and write one.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Exactly what our current Deaf performers are doing, to set up their own production companies. Matlin has her own production company, and so does Terrylene. More and more performers are doing the same thing.
If you feel that what they deserved because they starred in the original play.
Without my story, Robbie, would you ever think there is a story behind the story how one influential Deaf person had inspired someone to come up with an idea?
That happened once too many times.
This is a wake-up call for all of us that we have so much to offer to the larger community, and we need to be *smart* what we are willing to offer without being screwed.
We are very fortunate to have more and more talented younger performers, and they need our support more than ever.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Robbie,
Whether they are paid or not shouldn’t be an issue.
The scriptwriter gained a lot of valuable feedback in refining his play from culturally Deaf people. If it wasn’t for their contributions, chances are high that his play won’t be so successful.
A lot of people have been paid for their work, yet they were recognized formally for their contribution. Why should it be different for Deaf people?
April 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I think that the process from writing to getting a story produced for the stage or for a film is a long one, and involves many people, but ultimately, the person who gets and deserves the credit is the one whose name is on the script. There are always back stories… I really don’t think it’s necessary to know every person who made a contribution, and frankly, other than it being interesting trivia, it doesn’t interest me that much. They all got paid for what they did. And that is, as they say…. show biz.
Terrylene has been in show biz for many years. She is not naive, and if she is not savvy enough to know what she should or shouldn’t be contributing to, then she needs a better manager/advisor/lawyer/etc.
Do you think Terrylene was screwed? Out of what? She STARRED in the original production. She got paid for it. What more does she want?
Yes, Marlee Matlin has her own production company, and has for many years. She also has financial backing from people in Hollywood to help her actually produce her shows. Maybe Terrylene doesn’t. Who knows. Just because you interviewed her doesn’t mean you know the whole story. Personally, I think she is very beautiful, is aging well (there is a well-known bias against older women in Hollywood, and for niche actors, like a deaf person, it’s even worse.) But who knows… maybe she’s not easy to work with. Maybe she has pissed off someone. who knows. As they say in Hollywood, you are only as good as your last role, and it has been a long time since Terrylene has been in anything major.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Robbie,
Was it Terrylene’s life story, or not? If it was, then she should have been paid.
You’re dodging the central issue.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Why not produce the movie into DVD and sell them? I would buy it, so would many hearing parents of deaf children, too.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I am not privy to the details of the contract between Sachs and Terrylene. If she felt that she should have been compensated in some way for sharing some episodes of her life, which later became a play, then she should have engaged a lawyer years ago when the play was first produced. Apparently she was satisfied with whatever agreement they had, because she agreed to star in the play. And that’s really the end of the story. It really doesn’t matter what I think, or what you think should have been done years ago. It was between Terrylene and Sachs.
If it was really her story and she wanted it so badly, why didn’t SHE option the rights to it?
April 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Maybe she was taken advantage of. That’s the whole point of this discussion. Saying: “It was between Terrylene and Sachs” is not responsive. It’s a dodge.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Robbie raised so many good points that the research that you provided is still far from complete. We need to look at Stephen Sachs’ side, other actors’ sides and even more people’s sides and we need to look at all the legal papers that are signed to get more complete picture. This will take a lot of time and until someone undertakes it, it is best to give Mr. Sachs the benefit of doubt.
Joseph Pietro Riolo
josephpietrojeungriolo@gmail.com
Public domain notice: I put all of my expressions in this post in the public domain.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Wow… boys… boys… chill down!
I said on my video that I got permission from Terrylene to share HER story with me. I feel it is important to let us to look into this story closely.
There are so many uncanny similarities between the story’s character, Laura with Terrylene.
Sachs WAS inspired by Terrylene, and the stories that was shared provided a significant “SETTING” of the story.
Boys..if you really want to tear this blog apart into shreds as to question my credibility… you are missing the point here…
This story will allow us to examine closely about how Sachs got his idea from and why he was inspired by that idea?
Giving ‘credit’ may come with legal ramifications. What is wrong with acknowledging?
Often times, as Anne Marie Baer wrote earlier, that we are a very competitive society that we will do anything to get ahead of the game. That is the fact.
Terrylene learned a hard lesson from this, she got wiser. She wanted to share a story, and I carried it on my blog. Does she want to go back and pursue legal action. I don’t think so. All is she wanted is to be acknowledged, most especially, acknowledge talented Deaf performers who made numerous contributions for all of us through media.
We need to invest our capital within our community to market ourselves in a positive way.
Okay? Now, boys… go and quibble away.
Amy Cohen Efron
April 27th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I am surprised no one mentioned this close parallel between Children of a Lesser God and Sweet Nothing in My Ear. The former inspired by the relationship/marriage of Phyllis Frelich and Robert Steinberg and the latter inspired by the Magnalleni family, Bob, Terrylene and their Gio.
AND the situation Phyllis and Terrylene were in as they saw their stage roles go to someone else for the film.
I feel the discussion is interesting but somehow futile. What marvels me about this post is the how the information is shared. Amy did a good job, warm non-confrontational discussion. Mature and reasoned responses Amy and few others made. Since money still speaks in Hollywood, they stay with the same safe bankable actress. Would we love to see several bankable male and female deaf actors? Not yet.
A pleasure reading thru this post.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Amy,
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing it with us. It is a well informed history of “Sweet Nothing in My Ear”. I did not realize that it is a true story!
Yep, we all learn our lessons and mistakes in bad and good ways. Without that, we would not achieve. I have noticed that more and more Deaf people have their own business and have gotten involved in “dogs eat dogs” world!
Yes we need to invest our talents and skills in market world to enhance our Deaf world.
Thanks again
Deafchip
April 27th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Hope Sachs watch your vlog and read your article too (if he doesn’t know ASL). Umm … How interesting. If Terrylane’s story is real — she should be paid for this. Thanks for sharing this with us.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
One more thing I remember Terrylane carried her baby around in the Boston Deaf event in the breakroom where I volunteered. Smile …
April 27th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
White Ghost, Phyllis Frelich was the first actor to have ever received an honourary degree shortly after playing in Broadway’s “Children of a Lesser God” 1979-1980. However, she declined the honour because she felt that Bernard Bragg should have been the first one to receive an honour. Ten years later (1992) she accepted an honour after Bragg got one in 1988.
Amy, I have consulted two people about Sachs and
Terrylene. They said that Terrylene should have
consulted a lawyer TO FIND OUT what her rights were
should she ever tell a story about her life to Sachs,
and, in turn, the lawyer would make enquiries to Sachs.
Amy. in my opinion, Terrylene’s story could have been written BY a Deaf writer. Look at Dr. Eugene
Bergman. Dr. Bergman wrote an autobiography as Bragg signed to him. The book has been one of the bestsellers for a number of years. I hope that from now on deaf people will share with other deaf people INSTEAD OF hearing people, si’il vous plait.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Amy!
Thanks for making a time in sharing this information and the discussion is very interesting. That’s something will definitely empower us to do better next time in protecting our own Deaf people!
April 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Interesting discussion here. It is always helpful if we are familiar with business law such as Express, Implied agreements or Estoppel to protect ourselves. It is good that we learned about this so we can make sure one of us won’t be taken advantage like Terrylene had gone through.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I saw Terrylene in that show when it first came out in LA. She’s an absolutely fabulous multifaceted actress. She acted with the rawness required of a mother and deaf person facing ignorance in the world. She did it brilliantly. Sachs’ alliance with the deaf community seems to be limited to DeafWest. He welcomed Deaf West Founder, Ed Waterstreet back in the early 90’s to Fountain Theater to use his space before they were able to get their own. Sachs developed another deaf-related play, “Open Window” with DeafWest Theater but I’m not sure what the inspiration was for that one.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:07 am
This back story is important and illustrates something: the Deaf community is full of stories that have dramatic impact, especially where their and hearing peoples’ cultures collide. Cultural dynamism is what drives movies and drama.
Having met Terrylene, her husband, and through them, their son in Rochester, I was not surprised that they actually inspired this drama. It is tragic that this is not acknowledged in the Hallmark production because it gives so much credibility if it had been.
Perhaps the best way to protect one’s rights is to have one’s own story written and copyrighted before giving assistance to other people in using it. Hopefully all people with dramatic histories will give this consideration, because so many people are involved in developing dramas that it is easy for the original creators to get lost.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Amy,
Mucho gracias for sharing this info with us…
All I can say is TL still has a lot to learn about in and outs of Hollywood even after 25 years in the entertainment business.
MM won an oscar which opened a lot of doors for her compared to TL, unfortunately.
Surely TL has learned from all this and will be wiser and play hardball next time.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Amy,
Thanks so much for doing some bitter sweet … searching and you have brought me to a lot of thinking, soul searching on this. I don’t want to repeat what almost everyone says … Because sooner or later, a new movie will be out, a writer who writes and develops a story should at least give some background information, credits due, etc, etc… and this helps me to do some analizying and how you have arrived at this particular presentation. It was so good to see you, but more than that, you gave me an eye opener. Thanks Amy …
April 28th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Thanks Amy!
April 28th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Thank you for sharing this other side that we didn’t know about Terrylene. I remember and forgot about her, but you helped me to remember her again. Thanks again!
April 28th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Jean B.–
I remembered very well.
I don’t care whether Terrylene is hearing person or not, she have contributed to the deaf community for years.
We shall not forgotten her. Never will.
We need to do something for us and the deaf prominent leaders to recognize her and Stephen Sachs for their contribution in the deaf community.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Hi there, it is a bittersweet ending where no credit is given. If HALLMARK/CBS bought out the copywrights to this play SWEET NOTHING IN MY EAR,I’m curious to dollar sense as well. Creativity has a price to it!
Story about PEDDLER’s DAUGHTER, I have sparked that idea for TL’s show, let me explain:
In 2005, When I was with the Boston Deaf Theatre Festival called, A Show of Hands: A Celebration of Deaf Theatre at Roxbury Center for the Arts Hibernian Hall, I saw Terrylene’s show then called “My Father’s Hands: Touching lives with ABC cards.”
My role in that festival–volunteer and production assistant. I saw TL’s play and commented to Pax, who sat with me as we worked together throughout the weekend; TL’s talking about her life as a Peddler’s daughter. Later Pax went up to TL and shared my idea of that play and also there is a local restaurant by that name. Hence, a revision to the original title: A PEDDLER’S DAUGHTER.
It happens…little folks like me on this end don’t get credit or recognition. Now TL goes on the road with the new title for her show about her life with her Deaf father peddling ABC cards.
Creativity is such a gift to be cherished and yes, some people make money off of it and some don’t!
Regards online,
Suzy B
April 28th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Amy, I think you are doing a disservice here. You’re telling the uneducated deaf that the hearing people ripped off Terrylene when it’s obviously not the case.
Besides, script issues and ownership are not new to Hollywood.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:08 am
To commenter #45….
You are the person who is doing a disservice by obscuring the issues. “Ripped off” is a deliberately obscure term, and there is nothing obvious about things that are deliberately obscure.
You apparently are also unable to even understand Amy’s vlog, so you don’t really know what she is saying.
On top of that, Amy made statements in comment #29 which directly contradict what you are attempting to imply.
Your comment is disingenuous, to say the least.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Amy,
First of all, your vlog on the Bittersweet History of “Nothing Sweet in My Ear” surely blew off my mind and left me furiated in many ways about how Terrylene and the original stage performers being taken advantage of.
Steve Sachs SHOULD know better than taking all the credits to himself. Perhaps he has been legally advised by his own lawyer, the CBS-TV network and the Hallmark Co. not to say anything.
Yes, the Hollywood studios usually threw any incoming scripts into their files and hope that anyone would eventually forget about their own scripts for many years. Hollywood studios would pull out any unused scripts and hired the new “cheap” writer to finesse (tweak) as their own work. Their tactics would be seen as legitimative action.
Brian Riley is absolutely right that anyone have to compensate someone for using their own real-life scenarios no matter what the statute of limitation or legal techniques will not able to deny anyone lawfully compensated.
If the CBS-TV and Hallmark Co. enclosed the end of credits that this telemovie is not based on anyone’s life. They are in the BIG trouble! Both of them are techinically lying and frauding the legimitate parties!!
I am going to write my blog posting to DO something about this whole crappy exploitation of Terrylene and other stage performers.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
April 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Wow…ok, I would have to agree with the boys and their questions. I understand Amy thought Terrylene should get credit and “mentions.” I have personally known Terrylene when she lived in Chicago. I think she is a great actress and it’s unfortunate that Hollywood isn’t utilizing her as much as I think they should. However, I do agree with the boys up there….need to verify few things and hear all sides of the stories.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
wow I dont know about this history and how it started that explained how the movie made. I think this movie is very wonderful and inspired. it is very good example movie. Thank you for sharing tell us story about this point. I learned something about that. Again, Thank you….
April 28th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Amy,
I want to add an important piece of information that was not mentioned in your vlog. Besides having Sweet Nothing in My Ear at the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood, Chicago (which closed 2 weeks early), and Minneapolis as you mentioned.
Sweet Nothing in My Ear was also brought to Cleveland Signstage Theatre in Ohio for 3 weeks - January 13 - February 6, 2000 which was directed by Jackie Roth.
The cast was:
A.J. Granda: Laura
Mark R Ross: Dan
Joshua Soudakoff: Adam (who was brought in from Los Angeles as he replaced Gianni Manganelli for the last eight performances at the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood.)
Chuck Baird: Max
Freda Norman: Sally
Vikee Waltrip: Dr. Walters
plus 6 voice over interpreters.
Writer Stephen Sachs came and watched their performance in Ohio.
Thank you
April 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
robbie…
“me thinks ye protests too loudly.”
April 28th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
robbie stated:L
“They were lucky that Sachs wanted their feedback. This usually doesn’t even happen in this kind of production.”
wrong. the AEA recognizes actors who are “for hire” and others who are responsible for “development.” the latter contract was the case here. the contract recognizes that — should the play go broadway - off broadway the original actor (who was responsible for the DEVELOPMENT OF THE MATERIAL), is to be compensated… which was the case when the play went to chicago. i don’t see terrylene asking for compensation here, nor does she appear to be interested in legal remedies (though it is her right to do so)… it goes to the point of integrity… integrity is integrity and this production stinks of a lack of integrity. is it reasonable for sacks to show an ounce of support or gratitude for the actress who literally developed the character with him? the family from whom he based his play? the sound beginnings amy referenced that came from terrylene’s womb and her husbands voice??? their son and their plight as he became deaf.
is this enough for stephen to support, even slightly enough so that terrylene might even have the opportunity to be seen, audition or to even be considered? maybe even a “thank you?” it is stephen who was lucky for getting the uncompromised feedback from the actors on a subject he knew little about.
the point is: the productions’ lack of integrity aside… it is time for deaf stories to be told by deaf storytellers backed by deaf money — that is what i got out of amy’s point. so the world sees the deaf and experiences the deaf through deaf eyes… and not those hearing who come and visit… for personal gain and then diss the deaf afterwards — those deaf who were originally responsible for providing what little integrity remains.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Ha. RJ… who are you? How do you know what kind of agreement they had?
Yes, if you wait for deaf people to back deaf productions, you’ll be waiting a very long time. Sad, but true…
April 28th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hello Amy,
I really enjoyed your Vlogs since. I never knew that story was from Terrylene. I was wondering how did you make your video so neat and high quality? I know you use Mac but what software? Also, your light system is wonderful. How did you make your background to be black? By cloth or what? Answering my question, go to my vlog and make a comment on one of these post.. I hope to hear your answer to help my vlogs for the future.
Take care,
vLogger- Tyler Berdy
tberdy.wordpress.com
April 28th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Also, how did you put the picture on the above right corner when you talk about anything that u put the picture same time.
Tyler
April 29th, 2008 at 8:14 am
your Vlog is awesome and a great story teller which it kind of a warm feeling to listen and watch your story. keep up a good work!!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I am curious how did Marlee Matlin end up being actress instead of TerryLene in the Hallmark “Sweet Nothing in your Ear”? We need to see more of TerryLene in the movies or tv programs.I believe Terrylene has worked hard and deserve some credit and reputation. Isn’t Marlee Matlin supporting deaf culture and encouraging more deaf actress and actors? We need her support since she is already “famous” and well-known actress. Robbie said: Marlee Matlin has her own production company, and has for many years. She also has financial backing from people in Hollywood to help her actually produce her shows. Maybe Terrylene doesn’t. Lana add: Why don’t Marlee Matlin give TerryLene some support? I wanted to share my feelings and thoughts about TerryLene.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
robbie states:
“if you wait for deaf people to back deaf productions, you’ll be waiting a very long time. Sad, but true…”
now there’s an example of a consummate optimist with an unrelenting belief that deaf actually can succeed on their own terms. why not envision a world with deaf writers, producers, directors… self determination? my sense is that this would have been a far better film if deaf were in positions to protect their own integrity. from the following review… seems like sign language itself was shortchanged, with voices (from out of nowhere) adding to further devalue sign language itself thus undercutting any real challenge to the cochlear implant alternative:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936826.html?u=IMDB&p=H2BE&cs=1
question: what if the director were deaf and had an intimate knowledge and passion for the power of sign language… how different would the film be? how different would the cinematic or acting choices be? there will come a day when deaf storytellers are actually at the helm of their own deaf stories and not puppets for hearing opportunists.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Interested in reading all these messages. I want to ask you, why dont we Deaf video all broadway acting. Many Deaf would love to see them. Good way to find funding and establish TV production for the Deaf, then the Deaf can view the drama on Video log. Why not??? We need our own Deaf TV program showing drama and others. I do not know anything about the actress. I personally believe Terry should have some credits about her life. It is about her genuine life of her family.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
That’s a shame! I am truly tired of us, Deaf being taken advantage of. I hope next time that we will know what to do to make sure that we will not be taken advantage of. What is TL’s website? Thanks!
April 29th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
At Minneapolis in 2003, there was Sweet Nothing in My Ear being staged at the Mixed Blood theatre. Stephen Sachs was the director; Terrylene as Laura, Chuck Baird as her deaf father and myself, Ruth Ann Wilding as her deaf mother.
There was a brief statement from Terrylene that she helped Stephen Sachs write the play. All through the rehersal and performances, I have not seen any ill feelings between Terrylene and Stephen.
Although I was suprised by good acting on part of Marlee Matlin, Terrylene would have been a far better actress as Laura. She was so “real” Unfortunately Hallmark wanted a bigger name.
I am sure there are some legal issues, copyrights issues, deaf rights, etc. I think most of the above
blogs are blown out of reality.
Ruth Ann
April 29th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
What a shame! Terrylene, Bernard, and others should have mentioned in credits.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hello, Amy. I am fan of your vlog. I respect your work for your vlog. I do agree with you that Marlee Matlin-MM is famous and well-known in Hollywood Community. I want to let everyone know that when the actress like MM win Oscar then Oscar help bring money profit and put them in high level of recognition in Hollywood. I do respect Terrylene and her work as actress even she is unknown in Hollywood Community. Also MM was on the article on “People” Magazine recently. since MM was on “Dancing With The Stars” show as contestant, that mean she and other contestants get money earning profit for their appearance on that show “Dancing With The Stars” show. the money profit MM and the contestants are secret and cannot tell exact amount of money. it is fact and well known in Hollywood. Keep up good work, Amy.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Amy, I want to add that I do agree with you that it is Dog eat Dog world in Hollywood but not just Hollywood but also, medical, business corporation and etc. Hollywood business is cutthroat meaning that the people as competitors go after what they want and get in competition and have no mercy for anyone and don’t care for anyone in business. it can be cruel and brutal business.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hello Folks….
Interesting dialogue happening here. I’ve been out of the blogosphere for some time now and was reluctant to jump in. Sorry if its late in the game. I think it’s time for me to also add to the story behind the story behind the story. Mind you, this is only my opinion and my perspective on things.
First, even though I was in the original production of SNIMH,I don’t ever recall this being Terrylene’s story. No one ever talked about it. If it is, I am surprised and this is the first I heard of it.
I knew Steven Sachs when he was wet behind the ears and just starting out. This was way way before DeafWest even came into the picture and way before he became artistic director of Fountain Theatre. This was also before he met Terrylene. He was looking for a deaf story and had asked me if I had any ideas. Being young and still relatively new to the entertainment and deaf community, I really couldn’t provide him with anything, but told him there may be others. Over time, he met Terrylene and several other deaf people as they were trying to set up a showcase of sorts for our community and Sachs was happy to help.
Yes, the deaf members of this original production really became involved, sometimes intensely-whew! We also had an older CODA actor who once hanged around with Mae West and her crowd of young men. He often performed in commercials and used to be in the old western movies. His name is Cal (I honestly forgot his last name-sorry Cal) Cal also had a lot of input as a child of deaf parents.
Half way through the show, Giovanni was replaced by Joshua Soudakoff.
The DeafWest people did come to our show. After that particular show, we saw them, I’ll say this, the discussion became heated. Since BB and Freda Norman were old NTD buddies with the DWT people, I decided I’m not getting into it and left it at that. No, I was NOT privy to what happened, so don’t go making up any stories.
The reason why TerryLene was not invited to go to Chicago was because the entire production was funded by Liz Tannebaum’s father, with the understanding that Liz is “Laura”
From what I understand ( and I could be wrong) originally, Hallmark approached CBS to do the movie, however, CBS didn’t want to use the actress that they had in mind. They wanted to use a regular established hearing actor but Joe Sargeant, the director refused. Later, they came back with Marlee Matlin as the star and CBS accepted. All of the deaf roles were pre-casted even though they had “auditions” just to show they tried.
I DO understand the feeling of being ripped off. It’s VERY COMMON in Hollywood, not just Deaf related stories but tons of hearing stories. That is why, if you do ANYTHING in Hollywood, be prepared to have your ideas stolen. If you have a story, and you talk abt it, I guarantee you it will be stolen several times over until someone has a lawyer, a writer, a director, a star and MONEY. That is life in Hollywood.
Now this brings me to today. where I am (sorry Amy, I’m shamelessly PR’ing my company and movie), and what I do. I’m owner of a talent company called DeafCasting.com (we’re currently under re-renovation). I set it up three years ago because I am VERY TIRED of seeing the same old, same old actors, when I know damn well there are tons of talented DEAF actors and performers out there. It’s time Hollywood and NYC start noticing there is a large niche of us all who are just as desperate to work. I’m one of them! Slowly but surely, Hollywood is knocking on my door…(just not as an actor-darn!)
The other thing I’m doing is a movie project that is going to be 3 years in the making. Deaf produced, directed, and performed, Again, I am just so VERY TIRED of not seeing authenticity in the acting, in the filming, in the storyline, in how Deaf people are portrayed in films, TV and on stage. To me, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
I finally got a script (a comedy) I’m happy with, written by a deaf-blind screenwriter who currently has several scripts optioned by Paramount and may one day go into production. I have decided to use a writer who really knows how to write stories and isn’t a “talker” but a “doer”. I’m also negotiating with well-known names (one has already jumped on board) to direct and star in the movie. I pretty much have my technical team set up, finished!
BUT, before this can happen, I have to have financial backing…money from the deaf community. I do not want to go the beggar route (government, or soft grants) or even become a non-profit company (who needs another !@#$%^& 501 (c)(3)? Don’t we have enough?). I prefer investment, the exact same way they do it in Hollywood. That is how the African-American community did it. That is how the Asians and the Hispanics did it. Don’t forget India and their version of Hollywood (Bollywood). They all got fed up, and decided to ban together, screw the world and make their OWN! Look at where they are today!
I really believe we can have a good viable movie that deaf people can finally call their own, and hearing people can finally see who and what we are all about in the real mainstream world. The only way to do it is via DEAF Money!
So the journey begins…hopefully it will happen in three years if my plan goes according to plan…
Now my question to you all, IS making a real movie with DEAF MONEY just a pipe dream? I hope the community can prove me wrong!
**Sorry Amy for such a long post.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
PS: I forgot to mention that even though Jeff Daniels is a faboo actor, I give him an “F” for authenticity in using ASL. For someone who lived with a MUTE deaf wife, he sure can’t sign worth a s***!
April 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Good luck with your project, Vikee! I hope you have other sources of funding besides the deaf community. They are better known for putting their hands out to take, and not to give.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I have over 90 short stories of realistic Deaf Composing Room that I hold on for too long. It could be shown in drama. There is no short stories of Deaf Printers. They have their own Deaf Culture on 4th floor. If Terrylene if she is interested in this. Please contact George Adams III a deaf resident of SC. His email: gadamsiii@yahoo.com or VP 843 236 7268. I had asked many professional peoples like Bragg, Bernard and others.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:57 am
robbie says:
“if you wait for deaf people to back deaf productions, you’ll be waiting a very long time. Sad, but true…”
your impressive optimism as well as your unwavering faith in the abilities of the deaf to succeed in this arena, aside — i’m not “waiting” for anything… just planting the seeds for self empowerment and self determination.
having read some of the reviews of this film. i wonder how much better it would have been if deaf held major creative positions in it’s making. how would sign language be framed cinematically for example? would sign language itself have been undercut by this omnipresent voice over? even critics with marginal knowledge of deaf culture saw this stone-age technique as a slight to sign language. wasn’t “beauty and the beast” subtitled 20 years ago by the same network? wonder how that happened? wonder if terrylene herself insisted on it? again… integrity is integrity.
April 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
by the way –
i just visited amy’s link to terrylene’s website… seems to me there’s an example of what i just stated. “self determination!”
THE UPPER ROOM… from a critically acclaimed play, written by terrylene, directed by mark travis (bronx tales - later starring robert dinero)… being made into a motion picture. THAT’S what i’m talking about!
April 30th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
okay. just read the following:
point. game. match. no more discussion. this link tells me that terrylene is not just an actress but much more. if i were a betting man, i’d say amy’s blog is abundantly accurate. shame on you sachs!
http://web.mac.com/manganelli1/TheUpperRoom/Academic_Study.html
April 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
LOL, Vikee. The same for the hearing selected cast that’s been on DWT for years now. I hate watching hearing actors on stage that haven’t signed before. I can’t wait to watch an ASL play without hearing actors. It’s time to get them all back.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
looks like robbie’s gone silent…
seems he (or she) has sufficiently been slammed dunked!
come on robbie… keep posting….
April 30th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Vikee,
Interesting, interesting. Your story sounds credible.
By the way, I know of a hearing woman who has been married to a mute deaf man for 20-plus years. I don’t know how in the world she works as an interpreter but her sign language skill is terrible. I watched Jeff Daniels as the hearing husband role and I laughed because it reminds me so much of this hearing woman…in the real life.
I think Jeff’s role is perfectly fine given that he is not a CODA and started learning sign language when he dated Laura.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:32 pm
The choice to voice-over the signing in the Hallmark Production reminded me of old Disney movies in which you would hear the interior monologue of what the pet dog was thinking. Really, what a poor choice on so many levels. Aside from the insult to the Deaf Community, it just didn’t work dramatically at all. It was laughable and it made deaf people feel like lesser people. Wow.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
there ya go. Deaf as Disney dogs. As pets. How on earth did those deaf involved allow such demeaning representation? My guess is. Even if terrylene were offered the role, she would have worked tirelessly to make sure deaf weren’t represented like old fashioned Disney dogs. And should her efforts fall on deaf hallmark ears. She would have respectfully turned down the role. Back to the notion of “integrity”
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
robbie
Robbie:
I emplore you to continue this debate. Since you’ve gone so completely silent since I’ve challenged your posts might suggest that you’re totally full of s*** and have no credibility. Personally I welcome sachs or ANYONE involved in this production, to an open and honest discourse regarding the issues. I suspect it will never come to fruition though. I even suspect that the deaf involved in this production are themselves embarassed at the final production that they won’t align themselves with voice over choices and the like. 2008 and this is where we are in terms of deaf pride???
Mmmm???
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
response to E:
“I think you are doing a disservice here. You’re telling the uneducated deaf that the hearing people ripped off Terrylene when it’s obviously not the case.”
how POMPOUS is this post?
the post assumes that all those deaf who read this vlog-blog or respond to it are “UNEDUCATED DEAF”
HOW SICK IS THAT?
how jaded is it… i AM EDUCATED… excuse me!
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 am
Isn’t the screen actor’s guild supposed to support the actor’s right to compensation? I noticed that nobody mentioned the guild. Don’t deaf actors also belong to the screen actor’s guild?
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
SAG only protects the actors in their ACTING jobs not in stories or whatever…
yes, there are deaf actors who are SAG
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
re: deaf movie critic, “SAG protection” –
applicable contract law, in this case, lies with the AEA (actor’s equity association) which is the stage actors’ union. SAG is the “film” actors’ union. again, there’s the notion of “legality” and then there’s the notion of “integrity.”
i haven’t yet thanked amy for shedding light on this whole subject. it is surely needed outside of the spineless hollywood bubble and is appreciated.
and also thank you “large james.” i could not have said it better or more simply… you said disney “pet dogs”…. i’ll go further and say circus dogs or sideshow sit, roll over and play dead” dogs.
what a thoroughly and complete embarrassment this production is, a disgrace. which began with such integrity. simply put, sachs cashed in, and the result is? the true meaning and integrity of a hearing father talking to his hearing son in his wife’s womb — the son later to become deaf and the intimate plight thereafter to unfold — has been packaged, sold and marketed.
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
by the way E:
how on earth do you know what was or was not based on terrylene and family’s life?
frankly, you’re talking out of your a**
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
My God. How silent do the dissenting voices become when TRUTH surfaces?
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
sachs, waterstreet, bove, frelich, matlin and YES, even jack jason… you know - we know — you’re reading this blog… come on guys… weigh in. get a head start — maybe this blog eventually finds its way to hallmark and cbs and even to mainstream media… sachs exposed?
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
robbie… you out there? E… you out there? nah silent… you are. Silent are the deaf involved in this travesty.