Hollywood Filming NTID's Matt Hamill
Stacey Pensgen, 13 WHAM - September 29, 2009
RIT/NTID grad Matt Hamill talks with reporters while visiting RIT on the set of a movie about his life. Photo from 13 WHAM. See full-size photo
Rochester, N.Y. - Film crews are in town this week making a movie about an inspirational athlete, an N.T.I.D. graduate.
Matt Hamill never let being deaf get in the way of his dreams. His achievements as an All American college wrestler, and now as an ultimate fighting champion, make a story fit for Hollywood. So, Hollywood has come to R.I.T.
"Being deaf and being successful is really something," Hamill said. "You know that you can achieve something."
Matt spent three years at R.I.T. after a year Purdue University. He said Rochester had more to offer.
"So I transferred to R.I.T.! Wow! I was overwhelmedso many deaf people! They have great interpreters, a great program. I've got to smile," he said.
Writer, producer Joseph McKelheer said, "We went out and we hung out with him for the weekend and interviewed him, thought he had a great story. It was our first exposure to the deaf community. We were kind of blown away."
Mckelheer says it's difficult to film outside of L.A., but Rochester is home to many talented people. "And that's how we're able to do this. It's going to look phenomenal, and the reason is because the local Rochester crew know how to make it look beautiful."
Hamill is excited about his movie, and hopes it will be a positive influence on both the hearing and deaf communities. "You've got to watch it," he said. "Because it's really inspirational. It could be a really awesome movie. I can't wait to see it."
Filming wraps up on October 15, and the movie is set to be released in late 2010 or early 2011.