Mark Wood | Thank you to SWITS

Click on this video to see Mark Wood, ASL Films director, thanking Saul Arteaga, De Drymalski, and all the SWITS interpreters who made his visit to Wisconsin a positive, memorable experience!

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Read the translation

Hello every one, I would like to share with you my experience at BIFF. BIFF stands for Beloit International Film Festival which is located in Beloit Wisconsin.

I went and there and stayed for one week which I enjoyed. It was a really wonderful experience. I met many hearing members who honored me with the Honorary Chair during the week of the festival.

I was a wonderful, enjoyable experience, where, for the first time, I was able to interact with hearing filmmakers, directors, producers, screenwriters. I met so many people and gave presentations. It was truly wonderful.

I wanted to make this vlog to give special thanks to two organizations. Firstly, BIFF who were extremely nice and thoughtful to give the Honorary Chair to me, the first Deaf person to be honored. They provided me the opportunity to meet with peers, covered my hotel and meals; they were really wonderful.

I discovered that one organization encouraged BIFF to recognize me and my work at ASL Films. That organization is SWITS which stands for Southern Wisconsin Interpreting and Translation Services. SWITS was founded by Saul Arteaga.

Saul was aware of my work and brought it to the attention of BIFF, as a board member, which led to this recognition of my work.

Saul did a great deal for me that week. SWITS interpreters were top-notch. I worked with an interpreter, named De, who was involved in making sure everything went smoothly. She kept track of all the details, scheduled interpreters, made sure I was on time, took me to the store and for meals, to film screenings and other activities.

This was over and above what I requested. She really gave a lot of time that week. I am really appreciative and thank them very much.

This was not like what I experienced in Kansas City at the Film Festival when the interpreter walked out, remember I explained that in another vlog, that was terrible.

These interpreters were awesome and top-notch. I really applaud SWITS and thank them. I will always remember what they did for me.

Thank you and goodbye.