Sign Language

Sign Language

Sign language is a warming short film by director Oscar Sharp that follows Ben, who's living out his last day working in 'urban semiotics' (sign holding to you and me). We witness as Oscar displays subtle social nuances through low-key performances, as Ben explains his relationship with each of his co-workers and cast awkward glances at Anya who spurs Ben to contemplate the 'beauty right under our noses'.

This feel good short relies upon our relationship with Ben and as such dedicates a large amount of screen time and close-ups to the endearing sign holder. Ben talks directly into the camera, almost mimicking documentary and as such creates an intimate bond between himself and the viewer, making it all the more up-lifting when, spurred on by his co-workers, he builds up the courage to speak to Anya. Sharp's decision to shoot guerilla style with free hand camera work only aides the building intimacy, and further contributes to the documentary feel of the film, whilst providing an engaging energy that makes the film feel lively and fun. I intend to bear in mind how effective free hand camera work can be, if done correctly, for my drama film.

I feel the film's sound is a particularly strong asset to this short as great care has been put into getting the levels of atmos and street sounds perfect so that they compliment (and do not detract) from Ben's monologuing. Great attention to this area was clearly needed as the film is very dialogue based (any cutaways are designed to match Ben's speech) and a mistake in sound design could potentially negate the film's meaning.

Whilst the film explores a very clear story in a coherent manor it could be deduced that Oscar's short in fact implies the importance of semiotics in film (Ben actively encourages us to look deeper at life after all), with a constantly reoccurring motif of signs (both physical and social). This implied meaning is crafted through the implementation of carefully designed mise-en-scene, an area we will have to think carefully about in our short film.

In all this is a very likeable, warming piece of work that is extremely well produced; there is a lot that our group can take from this piece to benefit our own.