Hilari loves to share her experiences and has taught in a large variety of settings from international programs to workshops nationwide. She is the founding director of the Young Players Ensemble, an international theater program for teenagers (with alumni Liz Feldman (creator/writer Dead to Me, Emmy-award winning writer for Ellen), Steven Christopher Parker (Juno, Little Miss Sunshine) and Sara Paxton (Aquamarine). Hilari taught screenwriting in Beijing for three months through Relativity Education on a new studio lot in China and mentored filmmakers from Nigeria and stars from Nollywood. She is the founder of Theatre Sprouts, an independent theater program for younger kids. Hilari has taught kids at Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Hollygrove Orphanage, Little Theater of the Deaf, Virginia Avenue Project and LACER afterschool programs. Hilari runs a workshop and lecture series for adults on a variety of subjects including introduction to directing, producing and distributing independent films, improvisation, voicing for Deaf actors and a behind the scenes look at the making independent films. Hilari has served on the board of the Alliance of Women Directors and chaired the events committee where she hosted/moderated panels on VFX, intimacy coordinators, pitch practice and distribution. She was also a panelist for Women in Film, the Art House Collective at Sundance, Peter Broderick and as a judge for the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Drama Teachers Association.
SIGN WITH ROBERT (director/producer)
30 episodes - Sign Language and Deaf Culture Educational Series
Sign With Robert is an engaging and educational Sign Language and Deaf Culture series with over 15 hours of content starring Deaf actor/educator Robert DeMayo from See What I’m Saying. Mashable announced that the series was transformed into popular GIFs with over 2,000 signs available on GIPHY.
BECAUSE (writer/director/producer)
Award-winning PSA about preventing HIV among Deaf women (Bronze Telly Award). Filmed by Jeff Gatesman, music by Kubilay Uner starring Natasha Ofili, Maria Correa, Karla Gutierrez, Christine Visser, Lisa Hermatz and Ashley Fiolek.
EDUCATIONAL FILMS MADE BY HILARI INCLUDE:
PREVENTING HIV AMONG DEAF WOMEN (Writer/Director/Producer)
Educational short film about prevention of HIV among deaf women showing a narrative based on true stories. The film focuses on tactics on how to handle sexual coercion, unfaithful partners, drug use and how to discuss safe sex with new partners. Produced by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness.
PREVENTING TEENAGE PREGNANCY (Writer/Director/Producer)
Short documentary with deaf teenagers from Los Angeles and their perspectives about virginity, life goals and being teenage parents. The participants discuss abstinence, birth control, communication barriers and one teenage mother’s real life experience. Produced by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness.
ME HEAR NONE (Producer/Editor)
This DVD includes dozens of live performances by deaf performers from See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary, many of which have never been seen in their entirety but were audience favorites. The DVD also introduces new performers that weren’t included in the original film. Open captioned in English and fully accessible to all audiences.
EDUCATIONAL DVD FROM SEE WHAT I'M SAYING
Over 300 hours were filmed for the production of See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary for the 90 minute feature. This supplemental DVD features short scenes, interviews and clips not included in the final film that present additional insights into deaf culture, deaf perspectives and sign language practice. This DVD was produced along with a 25-page teacher workbook and study guide developed for sign language classes, deaf schools and interpreting/deaf studies students. Email Hilari Scarl for details.
