Produced for ESPN’s Fan Stories series, "Hand-Eye Coordination" is a short film about Danik Soudakoff, a fifteen-year-old fan of the game Overwatch. Danik also happens to be Deaf. To make playing and following the game easier for other Deaf players and fans, Danik created a series of custom ASL signs that correspond to each Overwatch hero. Danik’s signs have been embraced widely by the Deaf community.
In creating this film, we wanted to celebrate Danik’s fandom and tell his story with the same enthusiasm that he brings to the game and to life. We also wanted to immerse the viewer in his POV. Ultimately, we just wanted to make something that Danik would think is really cool, because we think he is really cool.
Credits:
Co-Directors, Writers and Editors: Brendan Gillen and Thomas LaGrega
Director of Photography: Will Atherton
Graphics: Michael Russo, Erica Rudy and Spencer Barringer
Music: Devin Gati
Sound Design: Matt McCorkle
Executive Producer: Hyde Harper
Producers: Krysia Johnstone, Adelia Shiffraw and Jay Gifford