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When Deafness Forum Australia set out to create its Auslan brand film, the intention was clear, this was not simply about translation, but about authenticity. At the heart of that process in the lead up and on set was our newest team member here at Deafness Forum Australia, Lauren Patrick.
Lauren identifies as culturally Deaf, is creative and an aspiring actress. She is also an active board member of Parents of Deaf Children (PODC) and teaches Auslan in her hours while not with DFA, for TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle.
Lauren also finds time to consult as a Deaf consultant where all these pieces of work sit at the intersection of language, culture and screen.
We spoke with her about what it means to step onto a set not just as a consultant, but as a custodian of experience. And we asked what shifts when Deaf voices are embedded from the inside.
Q: When you first came onto the project, what did you understand your role to be, and did that evolve once you were on set?
Stepping into this role felt like stepping ‘into my jam’. Coming onto this Auslan film project, I understood my job was to protect the integrity of Auslan and contribute in a way that genuinely supported the language.
But once I was on set, I realised it’s so much more than the language itself. Being there reminded me that Auslan doesn’t exist in isolation. It lives in movement, in space, in how people interact. I found myself focusing on how Auslan moved on screen, how communication flowed in that specific environment, and how to make everything feel natural.
Another layer was supporting the actors, who weren’t fluent in Auslan. Their characters were meant to be learning the language, so I worked closely with them to make sure their signing matched that journey, believable, respectful, and aligned with real-life experiences of learning Auslan.
Consultation is often seen as something technical, but for Lauren, it runs much deeper.
Q: There’s often a perception that consultation is about accuracy. What does “getting it right” actually look like from your perspective?
People often assume that “getting it right” is only about having Deaf actors on screen, but consultation goes much deeper than casting. Even though this campaign didn’t feature Deaf actors, my role was still essential in shaping how Auslan and Deaf culture were represented.
That perspective carried through into the rhythm of the shoot itself.
Q: Can you take us into the shoot day itself, what were you paying attention to in real time?
On the shoot day, I was watching everything in real time, every moment, every sign, always holding the purpose of the story in the back of my mind. I paid close attention to how the signing looked on camera, how the communication flowed between people, and whether the choices being made still felt true.
Just as important as what was captured on camera was how the environment was shaped around it.
Q: What did the collaboration feel like between you, the creative team and the wider crew?
The collaboration felt genuinely respectful. The team allowed me to step in, and there was a real willingness to listen and adjust. Something that doesn’t always happen. It never felt like a box-ticking exercise. They brought me on as a Deaf consultant because they understood why that role matters.
It wasn’t just about getting Auslan right. It was about respecting the language, valuing Deaf expertise, and recognising that having a Deaf consultant on set is essential.
It also meant meaningful employment and representation for me, which is something our community doesn’t always get.
Q: Was there anyone else supporting you to represent Auslan appropriately while you were in discussions with the creative team and crew?
Absolutely, I wasn’t doing this alone. I worked closely with Susan from Auslan Stage Left, who supported the project not only through Auslan interpreting but also as a collaborative partner throughout the process on the shoot day.
Susan’s presence helped keep communication smooth between me, the creative team, and the crew, and it gave me the confidence to stand firmly in my role. It truly was a shared effort.
That way of working is grounded in Lauren’s identity as a culturally Deaf creative.
Q: You identify as culturally Deaf. How does that lens shape the way you approach work like this?
Identifying as culturally Deaf shapes everything about how I approach work or projects like this. It means I’m not just looking at Auslan as a language, I’m looking at the culture, the values, the lived experience, and the unspoken nuances that come with being part of the Deaf community. Those lenses are always with me.
When I step into a project, I’m thinking about how Deaf people will feel when they watch it. I’m thinking about whether the representation is respectful, whether communication feels natural, and whether the choices being made honour our community.
Q: Was there a moment on set that stayed with you?
Yes, there was a moment that really stayed with me. For many Deaf professionals in this space, our voices are often silenced or overlooked. But on this set, I felt the opposite. I was empowered. I was allowed to be in my element and express what I felt needed to be said in the space.
My inputs were genuinely valued, and that feeling has stayed with me.
Q: What do you hope people take away when they see the finished film?
I hope people walk away seeing that Auslan is completely normal. It is part of my everyday life, and part of life for so many others in our community. We’re always working to grow awareness of Auslan among hearing audiences, and this film is another reminder that Auslan is valuable.
It’s the language of the Deaf community, a human right, and something that deserves to be seen, respected and understood.
