OUR MISSION
Our mission is to elevate Deaf representation in the entertainment industry while also supporting the voices of historically marginalized groups by creating content with, for, and by Deaf and marginalized creatives.
OUR VISION
Silent Visual Media is a two-thirds Deaf-owned organization with the goal of bridging the gap between the hearing and Deaf communities. SVM creates opportunities for filmmakers to experience a positive learning environment while gaining access to a culture different from their own. By making our content fully accessible, SVM brings entertainment to everyone - because representation matters.
OUR VALUES
Diversity / We create content with and for marginalized people. We recognize the need for representation and follow the mantra that nothing should be made for us without us.
Experience / We value lived experience. We aim to keep a growth mindset, learn from our missteps, and proceed confidently in attaining our goals.
Alliance / We are better together. We recognize the importance of collaboration with other organizations and individuals who are leaders in their fields.
Fun / We are unicorns. We hold sacred laughter and joy while creating content from our hearts.
Meet Our Team
CO-FOUNDER
DAVID KEINATH
FOUNDER
David Keinath is an avid sports fan. He has been an executive producer for films featuring Deaf characters such as The Hammer, and Silent Natural (released in 2020). David was also a supporter of the film Lake Windfall. He graduated from NTID, where he met Dan Cook. David resides in St. Louis, but he is a world traveler and shares his adventures with his lovely wife, Patty.
DANIEL D. COOK
CO-FOUNDER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Daniel is a professionally certified ASLTA (American Sign Language Teachers Association) with over 25 years of teaching experience at institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, McDaniel College, Westmoreland Community College, Community College of Allegheny College, and Hillsborough Community College. He was a former Vice-President of the Pennsylvania ASLTA chapter. He holds a Master’s degree in Deaf Education, with an emphasis on ASL instruction, from McDaniels College. For the last ten years, he has produced his own nationwide traveling game show, titled “Test Your Knowledge!,” with sidekick, Jorge Mendez. He is a co-author of a full-length movie script with Heather Gray.
HEATHER GRAY
CO-FOUNDER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Heather Gray is a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, with nearly 30 years of experience working in the Deaf Community. She has interpreted over 300 theater performances, Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy announcement, and movies at the Cinemark Theaters for DeafBlind patrons (using tactile interpretation.) Heather’s most memorable performance interpreting assignment was Kevin Smith’s live podcast, after which he tweeted about "Silent Heather."
Heather was the 1997 homecoming queen at the University of Pittsburgh and has been awarded Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. She was a finalist in the 2013 Steeltown Film Factory screenplay competition, and her creative writing has been featured in a national magazine.
Heather’s photography has been seen in the Carnegie Library, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh City Paper, and Fangoria Magazine.
Heather is an avid lover of gratitude and tries to snail mail a dozen thank you cards a week. She lives in Moon Township, Pennsylvania with her family, where she was born and raised.
KALEIGH FITZGERALD
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Kaleigh Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming Writer/Director/Producer who has collaborated with the Silent Visual Media team since 2021. In addition to writing, directing, and producing her very own feature: “The Way That I Am,” which has streamed on APPLE TV, Amazon Prime, and other platforms; Kaleigh has worked for notable companies such as NETFLIX, NBC Universal, and Orion Pictures on the many features and television shows that shoot in the Pittsburgh area.
She has received awards including winning Best Narrative Feature at the Toronto International Women’s Festival and Quarterfinalist for the Screencraft Drama Competition for her projects that she continues to cultivate through her independent production company Bokeh Pictures LLC. Kaleigh’s collaboration with Silent Visual Media has been eye-opening, rewarding, and inspiring as working with this team has given her the chance to use her filmmaking background to empower others to let their creativity run wild because everyone has a story to tell.
