Production Plan & Budget
Embark on a journey with 'The Grateful Deaf,' a documentary exploring the groundbreaking movement of deaf music fans, from grassroots gatherings at Grateful Dead concerts to a national movement reshaping musical inclusivity.
THE NEXT STOPS ON THIS LONG STRANGE TRIP.
“Excuse me. Does your hearing aid suck?”
We will dive into the fascinating origins of the Deaf Zone, a revolutionary step for accessibility at concerts. It all began in the midst of a Dead show, when a simple question from sound tech Dan Healy to Deafhead Paddy Ladd sparked a movement that would forever change the live music experience for the Deaf community
From Zoom to Stage
The coronavirus pandemic swept across the world, shutting down concert venues everywhere. But the Deafheads had an idea: what if we interpreted shows over Zoom? Billy Seago, a Deaf actor and performer, began interpreting his favorite band for the Deafhead community, lifting their spirits during a difficult time. His efforts not only energized the community but also led to him landing a job with Dead & Company.
“I found my tribe.”
Mark Levin, a Deaf musician and Live Nation venue manager, didn’t realize there were other Deaf music fans like him—until one day on a zoom show, he found his tribe among the Deafheads. Inspired by their movement, Mark stood up at a Live Nation conference and asked, 'How can we do a better job of making our venues accessible?' This bold question sparked a sweeping effort toward accessibility that continues to evolve today.
Generations of Vibration
Director George Martens began this documentary simply to share the incredible subculture that his father and the Deafheads had created. But as the project unfolded, George found himself becoming part of the story—a story that transcends music, delving into community, inclusion, and the power of connection within the Deaf community. What started as a tribute has now evolved into a personal journey of discovery and advocacy.
Deafstock
Frustrated by the lack of accessibility for Deaf individuals at a local music festival, David Richey conceived the Deafstock Music & Art Festival—a groundbreaking three-day event taking place April 2025, where Deaf and hearing people alike will experience music and art on equal terms. Run almost entirely by Deaf individuals, Deafstock features visual art installations, live performances with sign language interpreters, and immersive tactile experiences. Now, George Martens and his father are helping bring this vision to life, making Deafstock a powerful conclusion to George’s documentary and an inspiring celebration of accessibility and creativity.
Budget Top Sheet
-
Music Rights: $105,000
Producers: $72,000
Director: $64,000
Total Above the Line
$236,000
-
Crew: $99,750
Travel: $37,550
Meals & crafty: $27,000
Total Production
$164,300
-
Camera & Lighting:$15,725
Sound Gear: $10,500
Total Production
$26,225
-
Film Editing: $89,000
Music: $15,000
Visual Effects: $12,600
Post Production Sound: $7,500
Archival : $2,500
Total Post Production
$126,600
-
Publicity: $13,000
Legal & Accounting: $5,000
Insurance: $9,000
Total Other
$27,000
SUBTOTAL
5% CONTINGENCY
TOTAL BUDGET
$585,125
$29,256
$614,381
Contact us.
George Martens
george@sipstudiosjc.com
917-750-1714