New ASL game show concept: “SignTasTic!”
Alex: There is a new game show concept called “SignTasTic!” that involves hearing contestants learning ASL signs as they compete to win a $5,000 prize while being filmed.
[Full Screen Images / Credit: Dan Cook]
Alex: The creator and co-host of the game is Dan Cook, who is an ASL instructor. The other host is an ASL interpreter and a business partner, Heather Gray.
“The Daily Moth” was able to reach out to Dan and we asked him to explain the game.
Dan Cook: The concept is the same as any game show on television. We introduce ASL and teach some basic signs to hearing contestants. Understand this — the hearing contestants have to learn 50 words 24 hours or maybe 48 hours before they get here. They will be a bit overwhelmed and learn a few signs throughout the game.
Alex: The game show was professionally filmed in a famed Pittsburgh studio WQED, which was where “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was filmed. Dan was able to show us a bit of what it looks like in the studio.
Alex: The show is already getting buzz in local Pittsburgh news. Filming started about three weeks ago for 11 episodes with the last filming last Friday. Dan said now the team is working on editing everything together, which may take two to three months. The team plans to pitch portions of the show to networks or studios with hopes that one of them will order the show for distribution.
Dan Cook: We’re starting the editing process this week. It may take two months. But we will have the first episode ready this week or the next to send out to networks, streaming services, cable, and we hope they will purchase it and we’ll do more. Right now we are focused on the 11 shows and editing them in the next two months.
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Alex: Dan said he came up with the idea of using games to teach his ASL students because he noticed it gave them more motivation.
Dan Cook: I came up with the word, “SignTasTic” because I liked the combination of “Sign” and “Fantastic.” You can combine both words together. That was 20 or 25 years ago. I started with a card game and went from there. I noticed that when I am teaching a class, if I’m giving a lecture, the students would become sleepy. But when I started a game, that got their attention! I realized that using games made it fun to learn sign language. So that’s how I started SignTasTic.
Dan said he had the support of an investor who believed in the idea. TribLive reported that the show had a budget of $1.2 million. The team brought in two experienced producers who have worked on game shows “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” and “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?”
Dan Cook: Really, our simple goal is to teach hearing people basic signs so they will find motivation to become involved in college class, non-credit classes, high school classes, and grow that number. My goal is to expand the deaf community by inviting more. I don’t want to see the deaf community shrink, but to grow by welcoming anyone.
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Alex: Dan said his fingers are crossed that someone will buy the show and distribute it. Let’s hope that will happen so we can see more ASL out there.