A word from the Director:
A couple of years ago, I watched “Code of the Freaks,” a documentary that examines the representation of disabled people in Hollywood movies. Crom Saunders was one of the actors who was interviewed. The audio voiceover for Crom was performed by Michael Herzovi, a guy I knew pretty well. When I heard Michael’ s voice reflecting Crom’s nuanced responses, something magical happened. Their synergy gave birth to a deeper understanding of what was being communicated. I asked myself, how can I create a project that will enable these two artists to work together again? Thus, the idea for the “Calvin Can’t Fly ASL Storybook” was born.
— Sarah
Here’s what Michael had to say about the experience:
What was fun about working on this project?
The most fun about working on this project was how everyone’s different skills came together to create a great ASL story video. As an actor with a visible disability, I especially enjoyed using my voice acting skills to bring Calvin and his family to life. I could relate to Calvin very easily. I grew up different from everyone around me, and I read a lot of books just like Calvin. When I read stories about different people doing different things my mind soared just like Calvin’s. I loved doing the different character voices, and especially reflecting the energy and the timing of Crom’s signs. His storytelling is very expressive, and it was fun to match that performance.
What was your favorite scene?
My favorite scene is the scene where Calvin’s family comes back with string and scraps of cloth and wrap up Calvin and carry him off when they fly south. Even though he couldn’t fly, and even though his cousins have been calling him names, they brought him along because he was family.
Why is the story important today?
The lesson of Calvin’s story—that even someone who is very different can contribute something important to their family/community, and the value of reading and learning as much as we can—is always important. It teaches us to not judge people by what’s on the outside, or by how they are different. Calvin’s story shows that what matters most is what you know and what you feel. And if you’re lucky, you get to be happy enough that you can actually fly.