Filming Foundations

If you’ve been to a Foundations of Interpreting seminar with Betty Colonomos,  you know that it is dynamic and individualized, unscripted and flexible.  

This first of its kind project will document and investigate, through video, the most widely practiced model for ASL/English interpretation in the United States, the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI). Over the last 35 years, thousands of interpreters have engaged with Betty Colonomos, the creator and author of IMI, by attending the Foundations of Interpreting (I-VIII) series.    

Colonomos’ dialogic methodology, based on the work of Lev Vygotsky, does not lend itself to the frozen form of a book. Once documented, this film will serve as a basis for understanding and unpacking the cognitive model and dynamic approach of IMI. Sections of the video will be combined into a videotext, where the concepts and approaches will be unpacked and discussed by Betty Colonomos and colleagues.  The end product will be a tool for mentors, for IMI practitioners, for interpreting students that is accessible, practical and useful.  

Project Aims:

*Document Betty Colonomos’ Foundations I, the first module in a series of seminars
*Create a videotext, where the concepts and approaches of IMI will be discussed further
*Share the Integrated Model of Interpreting with interpreters, mentors, teachers

To make this project a reality, we need money.

All money raised in this not-for-profit endeavor will go toward the documenting (videographer & sound technician), editing, translating/captioning, and later dissemination of this highly valuable resource documentary.

Project Phases:

Phase 1: Filming (November, 2016)  
Phase 2: Review, discussion, unpacking with colleagues, on video (Spring 2017)
Phase 3: Editing video to include captions/translations, as needed (Summer 2017)
Phase 4: Bundling, packaging, & distribution (TBD)

Thank you for supporting this important work for the field of ASL/English interpreting.   Your donation will help further the work of interpreters and in turn the lives of deaf people.

Lianne Moccia
Amy Williamson