Program
Sign Language Supervisor and DASL Insights from the Field
Panel Discussion
Douglas Ridloff / Mayumi Ishimura / Mika Imai /
Satoshi Ezoe / Kentaro Hayase
MC: Eri Makihara
120 min
Presenter and MC Languages:
Japanese Sign Language, American Sign Language
Interpretation and Transcription:
Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (spoken/text), English (text)
Satoshi Ezoe / Kentaro Hayase
MC: Eri Makihara
120 min
Presenter and MC Languages:
Japanese Sign Language, American Sign Language
Interpretation and Transcription:
Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (spoken/text), English (text)
When hearing directors create works on themes of sign language and Deaf individuals, a crucial role is played by the "Sign Language Supervisor" (referred to as DASL in the United States). This panel focuses on the practices of sign language supervision in the United States and Japan, exploring the differences and commonalities in their roles. Welcoming Douglas Ridloff, Mayumi Ishimura, Mika Imai, Satoshi Ezoe, and Kentaro Hayase, all of whom have experience in film and stage productions, will delve into the challenges faced on set and the potential of Sign Language Supervisors and DASLs. Join us for 120 minutes as they unravel the intersection of language and direction.
What is a DASL?
DASL refers to Directors of American Sign Language and/or Directors of Artistic Sign Language, showcasing the multifaceted approaches to advancing the use of ASL in creative and professional settings.
What is a Sign Language Supervisor?
This is a specialized role in stage productions, films, television programs, and video works that involves verifying and coaching to ensure sign language expressions are accurate and natural. In spoken language terms, it encompasses the roles of "language instruction" and "dialect coaching", as well as "cultural consultation" within the context of sign language and Deaf culture.
Douglas Ridloff
DASL / Film Director
He was actively involved in acclaimed productions such as the "A Quiet Place" series, where ASL was integral to the storyline, and Marvel’s "Eternals", a groundbreaking film that brought greater visibility to Deaf culture. Most recently, he served as a producer for Marvel’s "Echo", a series that further highlights Deaf representation and ASL in mainstream media. Beyond his consulting work, Ridloff is also an accomplished filmmaker.
He was actively involved in acclaimed productions such as the "A Quiet Place" series, where ASL was integral to the storyline, and Marvel’s "Eternals", a groundbreaking film that brought greater visibility to Deaf culture. Most recently, he served as a producer for Marvel’s "Echo", a series that further highlights Deaf representation and ASL in mainstream media. Beyond his consulting work, Ridloff is also an accomplished filmmaker.
Mayumi Ishimura
Sign Language Director
Mayumi was born in Kagoshima. In addition to being a sign language instructor, she provided sign language collaboration for Coldplay's music, and sign language instruction and supervision for numerous works including the magazine "Liberal Times," the manga "We Have Our Own Language", the film "SHE HEAR LOVE" (2023), and "Living in Two Worlds" (2024).
Mayumi was born in Kagoshima. In addition to being a sign language instructor, she provided sign language collaboration for Coldplay's music, and sign language instruction and supervision for numerous works including the magazine "Liberal Times," the manga "We Have Our Own Language", the film "SHE HEAR LOVE" (2023), and "Living in Two Worlds" (2024).
Mika Imai
Film Director
Born in Gunma Prefecture, Mika is a Deaf individual whose first language is Japanese Sign Language. Her feature film "Until Rainbow Dawn" (2018), which deals with Deaf individuals and the LGBTQ+ community, garnered significant attention and was released theatrically to the general public in November 2019. Her film "Ginger ＆ Honey Milk" (2021) received awards at film festivals both domestically and internationally. In 2022, she established Sand Plus Inc., a film and video production and talent management company. She is also involved in producing sign language videos for cultural facilities such as the Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) and the National Museum of Western Art. Recent major works she has been credited as sign language instructor for the hearing or Deaf consultant include Shinichiro Ueda's short film "The Story of Encountering My Idol at the Shelter" and the film "11 Rebels" (2024).
Born in Gunma Prefecture, Mika is a Deaf individual whose first language is Japanese Sign Language. Her feature film "Until Rainbow Dawn" (2018), which deals with Deaf individuals and the LGBTQ+ community, garnered significant attention and was released theatrically to the general public in November 2019. Her film "Ginger ＆ Honey Milk" (2021) received awards at film festivals both domestically and internationally. In 2022, she established Sand Plus Inc., a film and video production and talent management company. She is also involved in producing sign language videos for cultural facilities such as the Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) and the National Museum of Western Art. Recent major works she has been credited as sign language instructor for the hearing or Deaf consultant include Shinichiro Ueda's short film "The Story of Encountering My Idol at the Shelter" and the film "11 Rebels" (2024).
Satoshi Ezoe
Representative Director of Entame Road / Totto Foundation Japanese Theatre of the Deaf Representative
In addition to the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf's own productions and sign language comic theatre, he also performs in solo shows, films, and dramas. Starting with the TBS drama "Love Letter" (2009), he has worked as a Sign Language coach and Sign Language supervisor for films, dramas, stage productions, television programs, and commercials. In 2024, he founded "Entame Road," a talent agency primarily focused on Deaf actors, Sign Language coaches, and Sign Language supervisors. Recent major works he participated in as a Sign Language coach and supervisor include NHK's Educational TV "Enjoy TV with Sign Language", commercials for "AC Japan", NHK drama "Deaf Voice - A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court" (2023), musical "SIX" (2025), theatre "Nintama Rantaro" (2025), musical "Annie" (2025), and the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" (2025).
In addition to the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf's own productions and sign language comic theatre, he also performs in solo shows, films, and dramas. Starting with the TBS drama "Love Letter" (2009), he has worked as a Sign Language coach and Sign Language supervisor for films, dramas, stage productions, television programs, and commercials. In 2024, he founded "Entame Road," a talent agency primarily focused on Deaf actors, Sign Language coaches, and Sign Language supervisors. Recent major works he participated in as a Sign Language coach and supervisor include NHK's Educational TV "Enjoy TV with Sign Language", commercials for "AC Japan", NHK drama "Deaf Voice - A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court" (2023), musical "SIX" (2025), theatre "Nintama Rantaro" (2025), musical "Annie" (2025), and the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" (2025).
Kentaro Hayase
Film Director / Sign Language Directorr
Born in Nara Prefecture, Kentaro began producing videos for young children in 2001. He made his directorial debut with theatrical film, "Yuzuriha" (2009), and followed with directing and writing roles in "Inochi no Kotoduke" (2013) and "Emu" (2020). Including director John H. Lee's "SEE HEAR LOVE", he has been credited as a Sign Language Coach and Sign Language Supervisor for numerous films and video works. In director Mipo Oh's film "Living in Two Worlds" (2024), he worked as a Sign Language director for the first time.
Born in Nara Prefecture, Kentaro began producing videos for young children in 2001. He made his directorial debut with theatrical film, "Yuzuriha" (2009), and followed with directing and writing roles in "Inochi no Kotoduke" (2013) and "Emu" (2020). Including director John H. Lee's "SEE HEAR LOVE", he has been credited as a Sign Language Coach and Sign Language Supervisor for numerous films and video works. In director Mipo Oh's film "Living in Two Worlds" (2024), he worked as a Sign Language director for the first time.
