WAMG Interview – Roger Vass: Director of LAKE WINDFALL – SLIFF 2013

In LAKE WINDFALL, a provocative portrait of the interactions among deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people, estranged brothers Matt and Drew – one deaf, the other hearing but fluent in American Sign Language – get together for a camping trip with a trio of friends who have a range of hearing and signing ability. Tense from the outset, their weekend of male bonding turns even more nightmarish after an apocalyptic event. Despite its fantastical elements, the Missouri-shot “Lake Windfall” takes an authentic look at different hearing-loss experiences, and the film persuasively demonstrates how critical effective communication is to our collective survival. LAKE WINDFALL was written by Roger Vass and Tony Nitko and directed by Roger Vass.

LAKE WINDFALL plays Saturday, Nov 16th at 12:30pm as part of the St. Louis International Film Festival at The Tivoli Theater. Director Roger Vass and writer/producer Tony Nitko will be in attendance to answer questions after the screening.

Roger Vass took some time to answer questions about his film for We Are Movie Geeks before the screening this weekend.

Interview conducted by Tom Stockman

We Are Movie Geeks:  What parts of Missouri were used for the filming LAKE WINDFALL?

Roger Vass: The majority of the production was filmed at private lake near Defiance, MO. Other scenes were filmed at a residence in Town and Country, Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf Clubhouse in Maryland Heights and Centerfield Convenience Store, south of New Melle, MO. We’re so appreciative to all of the owners who were so flexible in working with us.

WAMG:  Did you know the hearing-impaired actors in your film before you made it or did you send out a specific casting call for them? Did any of them have previous acting experience?

RV:  We sent out a casting call online. The majority of the roles in LAKE WINDFALL required a specific ability – knowledge of sign language. We are pretty well trenched in the deaf community so it was relatively easy. We received an enormous response. We decided to go in the direction of finding untapped talent, so the majority of the actors have few acting experiences.

WAMG: What issues facing the deaf community are addressed in LAKE WINDFALL?

RV: Oh, we addressed many issues that faced the deaf community. Mostly, we addressed what we called “Audism.” Audism is the notion that one is superior based on one’s ability (or inability) to hear. Most often it is “hearing” people discriminating “deaf or hard of hearing” people. Audism can occur the other way around, deaf people discriminating against those who can hear. It’s like racism or sexism, but just based on hearing. Also, we wanted to bring to light that there are various levels of hearing loss and each has its own experience, positive and negative.

WAMG: What special challenges do you think you, as a deaf director, faced that a hearing director may not?

RV: Really, a deaf person can do anything except hear. Basically, I faced pretty much the same experience as other hearing directors. However, this is the first major production that I worked on that includes sounds. My biggest concern was the audio team that we hired. Are they qualified? Are they taking our project seriously? Are they giving us their best work? It’s hard for me to judge that because of my inability to hear. However, I’ve grown to learn that they are very passionate and excited about this unique project. They asked many questions about our vision and tried to meet our expectations. One of the sound designers has a daughter that is deaf so it helped build a greater understanding of what the executive producer, Tony, and I wanted.

WAMG: How do you address the different modes of communication among the deaf in the context of the post-­apocalyptic setting?

RV: Well, before the apocalypse, we pulled out the different modes of communication for the audience to see and learn. After the apocalypse, the situation forces everyone to rely on one mode of communication – sign language. We also used special effects for the audio to give the hearing audience a glimpse of what’s it’s like to have hearing loss.

WAMG: As a deaf filmmaker, how do you approach the sounds in your films, things like music and sound effects?

RV: It’s a challenge! The executive producer and I knew what exactly we wanted – the mood, tempo and special effects but it was in our visual language. How could we express that to the sound designers? Our interpreter did a wonderful job in translating what we wanted to the sound designers. During the review of the rough cut, the interpreter was able to translate what the sounds were like. We were also aided with earphones and large speakers, turned all the way up! (chuckling) From there, we were able to provide feedback and suggestions. It worked out really well.

WAMG: Where did you get the idea for the post-­apocalyptic twist in your film?

RV: Often, frustrated members of the deaf community wish that hearing people could become deaf to better understand what deaf and hard of hearing people go through in life. This was the underlining attitude when Tony and I wrote the story. With this in mind, we thought an apocalyptic scenario is the best way to make mainstreamed population deaf (chuckling).

WAMG: Did the actors follow your script closely or did you encourage improvisation?

RV: The actors were really immersed into their characters. We encouraged suggestions from them, because we wanted to make this realistic as possible. For example, I was deaf when I was born. So, I do not have the full understanding of losing my hearing. A hearing person who has lost his hearing would have a better understanding of the mentality and emotions of that loss.

WAMG: How has LAKE WINDFALL been received so far?

RV: Beyond my expectations! LAKE WINDFALL has taking the deaf and hard of hearing community by the storm. Many hearing people have responded positively to the movie. Many have expressed a desire to learn sign language, especially those who have a family member or co-worker that is deaf. There are many interpreting training programs asking us to provide screenings at their locations. Our goal for greater awareness about the plight of the deaf people is becoming fruitful.

WAMG: Where did you grow up and were you always a fan of cinema?

RV: I grew up in the Bay area in Northern California. Yes, I’ve always been a fan of cinema. It was in high school, when I first got a taste of filmmaking. I knew that this was something that I wanted to do in the future.

WAMG: What filmmakers/directors/writers have influenced you?

RV: Ridley Scott, a director, is the person who inspired me to become a filmmaker. His style was very unique. I loved his transitions and cinematography. His movies were so visually stimulating. I have opportunity to meet Ridley in person back in 1983. It was just awesome! I also look up to Dean Koontz. I enjoy how Dean keeps his readers on the edge of their seats with his thrillers!

WAMG: Tell me about your next project.

RV: Tony and I are currently finalizing our script for the next production. This film will continue our mission of bringing awareness about the deaf and hard of hearing community’s plight, especially in the medical and legal settings. We hope to begin production in late Spring.