Walking Dead: Greg Nicotero learns ASL for the recent episode
By Renee Hansen
EP, Director and SFX genius Greg Nicotero shared that he learned ASL for the most recent episode of The Walking Dead. “On the Inside” was the return episode for Connie, played by Lauren Ridloff, who is deaf. As the director of this episode, Nicotero was required to work closely with her and knew that learning ASL was the only way to accomplish this.
In a Q&A session with AMC, Nicotero was asked to share something else about shooting this episode. He stated that he learned ASL so that he and Ridloff could communicate easily. This would also allow him to communicate with Angel Theory, who plays Kelly. He felt it was important and it meant a lot to the actors.
Nadia Hilker, who plays Magna on the series, took over the official Walking Dead Instagram page and shared a throwback photo to the first ASL group session for cast members. Many cast members have learned some or extensive ASL to communicate with their fellow cast members not just on camera but in everyday life. This is just another example of TWD Family.
The Walking Dead and ASL
In 2019, Interpreters Unlimited, a group that provides foreign language and ASL services, recognized The Walking Dead for bringing inclusion to Deaf actors and ASL to their series.
"The Walking Dead is a show with an especially diverse cast, and it’s great to have them do their part including the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture now. In a show where so many characters don’t last very long, it’s nice to see these two characters portrayed as strong survivors, which is true to the culture, and it’s refreshing to see them put it into the spotlight often, bringing so much attention and awareness to the mainstream."
The video below shows Ridloff giving us some very important Walking Dead phrases using ASL.
Just… look at the ASL, #TWDFamily
Posted by The Walking Dead on Tuesday, October 1, 2019
AMC posted a great PSA on TWitter for ASL signs to use if you ever find yourself in a zombie apocalypse.
When they whisper, we use ASL. #TWD pic.twitter.com/8VwyD3Isvm
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) January 25, 2019
The series has done an outstanding job bringing attention and awareness to ASL and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Hiring actors like Ridloff and Theory who have hearing impairments is a true representation of this culture, which is vitally important. And, to show them as strong survivors is an inspiration to many.
Bravo to Greg Nicotero and all the cast and crew for taking the time to learn ASL and making Ridloff and Theory feel even more of a part of TWD Family.
Next. The Walking Dead MVP for this week’s episode On the Inside. dark
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