The lighting is perfect. The sound system is dialed in. Your speakers are rehearsed. The run-of-show is locked down to the minute. You've thought of everything—transportation, catering, VIP seating, social media coverage. And then someone asks, "Wait, do we have accessibility covered?"
Oh. Right. Interpretation. So you scramble to find an interpreter, someone who's available, and you figure it'll be fine. They'll just... stand there and sign, right?
And then the event happens. The interpreter is standing where half the Deaf attendees can't see them. They're dressed in neon yellow even though your entire event aesthetic is black and sleek. They can't keep up with your fast-talking keynote speaker. Your Deaf VIP guests are clearly frustrated. And you realize: this is the one thing everyone's going to remember—for all the wrong reasons.
What we bring to high-profile events
Why do high-profile clients keep coming back? Because we understand that production interpretation isn't just about language access—it's about seamless integration. The interpretation should feel like part of the show, not an add-on.
- Staging and placement: We work with your production team to figure out optimal placement, lighting, and sightlines before the event.
- Wardrobe: Interpreters dress to match your event aesthetic. Black tie gala? Formal attire. Branded corporate event? We coordinate. This seems obvious, but you'd be shocked how often it's ignored.
- Energy matching: A buttoned-up interpreter will look out of place at a concert. A casual interpreter will seem unprofessional at a formal gala. We match interpreter personality and style to your event type.
- Team rotation: Events longer than 90 minutes need multiple interpreters rotating. Not an upsell—interpretation quality drops dramatically when someone's mentally exhausted.
The Production Partner
Your event is flawless. Except for one thing.
.
Why production interpretation is different
Here's the thing about live events, film sets, red carpet premieres, concerts, and galas: everything is seen. The staging matters. The optics matter. The energy matters. You don't just need someone who knows sign language—you need someone who understands performance, timing, staging, and how to deliver interpretation that enhances the experience rather than distracting from it.
Generic interpreters are used to medical appointments and business meetings. They don't know how to read a room when 500 people are watching. They don't understand that at a concert, you're not just translating lyrics—you're matching the artist's energy. They don't know how to position themselves for cameras at a film premiere or stay composed when a celebrity goes off-script.
And here's what most people don't realize: bad interpretation doesn't just affect your Deaf attendees. It affects your entire event. When interpretation is awkwardly placed or poorly executed, everyone notices. It becomes what people talk about afterward—not in a good way.
The Reality of
Lead Time
When you work with ASL Hands, we don't just ask "when do you need someone?"
Here's the reality: production-quality interpretation requires lead time. The interpreters you want—the ones who've worked major events, who understand staging, who can handle high-pressure environments—book out weeks in advance. Sometimes months for huge events.
If you call us two days before your gala, we'll be honest about whether we can help. But last-minute requests mean you're getting whoever happens to be free—not necessarily who you need.
The best production partnerships start early. Planning an event six months out? Loop us in during early production meetings. We'll help you think through logistics, staging, and how to integrate interpretation seamlessly.
How to work
with us
We'll ask detailed questions: Event format? Stage setup? How many Deaf attendees? What's the vibe? Run-of-show documents or set lists we can review?
For major productions, we coordinate site visits. For events with technical complexity, we work with your AV team. For multi-day events, we build rotation schedules that keep quality consistent.
And we'll be honest about what's realistic. If your timeline is too tight or there are logistical challenges, we'll have that conversation upfront.
let's work together
Ready to Make Your Next
If you're producing something that matters, something with your name on it, don't leave interpretation to chance. Let's talk about how to integrate accessibility seamlessly into your event from day one.
Fill out our intake form and we'll help you figure out what your specific production needs.
