Hi my name is Sami and I am deaf. I don’t write good in English, although I can write screenplay and know its format.
Suppose if I complete the screenplay and I want to be sure that this screenplay is complete accurate and perfect…how do I make sure it is? Do I send it to some script doctor and have them check the format, grammar, and etc? If so then do they have right to share the credit?
–Sami
One of your instincts is right: you do need someone to look over your writing, since your English isn’t terrific. I’m guessing you grew up using American Sign Language, which many non-deaf people assume is a direct adaptation of English. It isn’t. Not only does the language omit a lot of our needless filler words (such as articles), but it can structure sentences and phrases in much different ways than a spoken language might. This is why, over time, it has become very sophisticated and robust. Unfortunately, fluency in signing doesn’t always lend itself to the written word.
Which is where you could use some help.
A “script doctor” isn’t really the right term for what you need. That term generally applies to a highly paid screenwriting pro who does specific, short-term work on a screenplay to fix some perceived problem. What you’re looking for is really just an editor, someone with stronger grammar skills who can help with spelling, word choice and punctuation. Think of it this way: if you were hired to write a magazine article in French, you wouldn’t think twice about having a native speaker look over your work. That’s what you need.
Obviously, you should write about whatever subject interests you, but I’d encourage you to seek out the work of other deaf filmmakers. There are at least three deaf film festivals running, and other entries can be found in many of the better programs around the country. There is also the opportunity for cross-over with deaf theater companies, such as the renowned Deaf West Theater in Los Angeles.
Even if your work ends up having nothing to do with deaf issues, you’d benefit from meeting other writers and artists to see how they handle the challenges and opportunities the medium presents.