Brent Macpherson: Why it’s not always easy to cast Deaf actors in major film roles

There has been a number of articles in recent months promoting the idea that Deaf characters in films should be played by Deaf actors. I wholeheartedly agree…in theory.

Globally, there are undoubtedly talented and inspiring Deaf actors who could do justice to lead roles and play Deaf characters with total authenticity; and one spin-off would be that, internationally, our culture and language would likely be embraced should these actors, and the films they star in, be successful.

However, purely from a commercial viewpoint, it’s all about finding the money (isn’t it always?). And here’s why…

My name is Brent Macpherson (yes I’m Deaf) and am currently the Producer of the multi-million dollar feature film Silent Fear, to be filmed in a university for the Deaf in Scotland.

The director is based in Hollywood and one of the cast is former Hercules TV star Kevin Sorbo who is also based in LA. We are currently searching for an A-list actress for the lead role.

I would like to share with you my experience to date on this exciting feature film production.

Being the producer of a feature film is an extremely complicated undertaking – more so in this case given the complexities of Silent Fear, which requires Deaf characters to interact with normal-hearing characters throughout. 

I’m acutely aware Deaf actors should have the opportunity to take on prominent roles as Deaf characters whenever an opportunity arises. However, it’s not that simple.

If a producer and/or director cast a little known Deaf actor to star in a feature film, or even to play a major supporting role alongside an A-list actor, that could spell doom for the film at the Box Office and would likely scare off investors.

Known and respected (and preferably A-list) actors are a brand, and from a marketing viewpoint the better the brand the more likely the film’s investors, distributors and producers will get an acceptable return on their investment.

The screenwriters of Silent Fear spent considerable time researching Deaf people, their culture and their language. I must have received hundreds of emails from them asking me questions about generic Deaf issues.

They (the writers) are as passionate as I am about having as many Deaf people as possible on location, but at the end of the day, producers are always mindful of investors wanting to maximise their returns.

The more stars attached to a movie, the smaller the risk to investors and distributors.

Should we choose a Deaf actor to star, or even to play a major supporting role, in Silent Fear, investors will head for the hills. However, that won’t stop us casting Deaf actors for smaller supporting roles or for the many extras (Deaf students and teachers) we require.

In fact, we will need numerous Deaf people in this film.

I’d love to think we could unearth a genuine Deaf star of the future – one who could go on to stand astride the commercial film world and become known and respected internationally.

Hopefully, at the very least, Deaf actors will become more marketable for investors and producers to consider for future films. What a wonderful thought! 

Brent Macpherson got his first taste of professional acting when he scored the lead role in the highly acclaimed theatre show A Spectacle of One. He subsequently landed the lead role of Hank Williams in the short film I’m So Lonesome I could Cry, which was selected for Cannes Film Festival. He went on to act in television series in New Zealand, founded the New Zealand Deaf Short Film Festival, and established his own production company, Stretch Productions. In collaboration with 3D cinematography specialists Shotz Productions, Brent is developing Silent Fear, a multimillion dollar feature film Silent Fear. 

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