Hardworking filmmaker is hard of hearing

Tyrone+Oraguzie%2C+24%2C+film+major%2C+visualizes+the+schools+scenery+as+the+sun+sets+near+the+library.++Oraguzie+uses+his+phone+often+to+record+some+of+his+music+videos%2C+but+when+he+wants+to+get+the+job+done%2C+he+refers+back+to+his+iPad+where+he+records+the+majority+of+his+videos.+Photo+credit%3A+Jorge+Villa

Tyrone Oraguzie, 24, film major, visualizes the school’s scenery as the sun sets near the library. Oraguzie uses his phone often to record some of his music videos, but when he wants to get the job done, he refers back to his iPad where he records the majority of his videos. Photo credit: Jorge Villa

Walking by the hall, he sits on the bench before his friend comes out and they start to sing in a different way, they are moving their hands, they are expressing and singing at the same time with sign language.

Tyrone Oraguzie, 23, film-crew major and American Sign Language teacher, shares his talent as a director and filmmaker to the ASL community through his videos.

“Sign language of the deaf culture inspired me (which) connected with the music,” Oraguzie said.

For Oraguzie, movies and TV shows gave him some of skills for filmmaking and helped him to get the inspiration to create his sign language videos and be a director.

Oraguzie’s favorite video is “Ho Hey” from The Lumineers.

“(This is my favorite video) because it shows love and pain as I make it look like a music video,” he said.

In addition to that, his favorite way of directing a video is when he performs with a partner or a group, Oraguzie said.

However, Oraguzie’s inability to hear possibly affected his experience of directing.

“I am born deaf and hard of hearing,” Oraguzie said. “I use a hearing aid (which) helps me develop my ability to hear.”

At the beginning, he had a lot of trouble directing his videos because his lack of experience, as he had trouble choosing the right spot or angle to get the perfect shot, Oraguzie said.

“I believe nobody helped me to get that experience,” Oraguzie said. “I learned all those films from YouTube as I try a new experience.”

Furthermore, the system for directing a video is a lengthy process.

“My friend and I have to take (the) time to be prepared by memorizing the lyrics by memorizing their act,” Oraguzie said.

Even then, Oraguzie’s filmmaking process is still not done.

“Next, I have to take these videos in the program by editing the video and finally I have to wait for the process of a program I use to complete.”

The person who inspired him to be a film director was his friend who shared his passion and talent of filmmaking with Oraguzie, he said.

Deandre Moody, 24, computer program major and friend of Oraguzie, said that Oraguzie is a rising star because he felt inspired from other filmmakers.

Moody helps Oraguzie in the process of filming by following his directions, Oraguzie said.

“I think he is amazing as a filmmaker because Tyrone always comes up with good ideas,” Moody said. “It really surprises me how he can be good at film making out of the blue.”

Another friend that supports Oraguize by watching his videos and helping him giving him an opinion or idea is Amber Grace, 28, deaf studies major.

“I had experienced his videos before; I saw them few times and their actually pretty good,” Grace said. “Sometimes he has to make some adjustments and corrections and edits.”

At the moment, Oraguzie is not working on a video, but he said his past work is on his YouTbe channel, Tyronematrix30.

“I use it with a music video for sign language translates,” Oraguzie said.

Oraguzie lives in Carson; he has been at EC for two and a half years studying and this semester he is taking six units.

Oraguzie also enjoys watching entertaining TV, listening to music, and using social media.

“(Film) is part of my passion and I only use it when I get inspired,” Oraguzie said. “However, I could get inspired by someone’s talent as they should approach me with their major of filming for my exact kind of passion.”