Zooming in on Zacchaeus

One of the techniques in ASL storytelling is using elements of cinematographic perspectives. As a camera zooms in or out, panning in to a character or expanding to take in a crowd, ASL storytelling can use hands to focus direction on a character or group of characters and to broaden the story to encompass a larger crowd. I have employed some of these techniques in the telling of Luke 19:1-10. The story begins with Jesus coming into Jericho. The scene opens and changes from Jesus coming into Jericho to introducing Zacchaeus and seeing the scene from his eyes. When he climbs the tree, the story scene shifts upward. When he comes down, the scene moves as well, and it expands to incorporate the crowd.