Short Film Analysis- Sign Language

‘Sign Language’

This short film starts by dissolving in the production company’s logo whilst the sound from the first scene is overlaid on top; it then cuts to the beginning of the scene. 

The camera focuses on the man; it looks as though it is a home made video because the camera isn’t held still; giving the first indication that it could be a documentary. I think this film is a docudrama because the characters seem very staged and there are lots of shots at different angles which isn't usually seen in a typical documentary. It isn’t kept smooth and stable as most films would be also it documents Ben's last day at work and how he feels about his new and old job.

The narrative of the film is linear because it moves forward with time with no flashbacks etc. The film starts with Ben beginning his last day on the job; he then describes his job and colleagues, and then ends with a clip of him actually in his new job.

The first scenes on the bus the shots are short suggesting time has passed and there is going to be a change in location.

The titles are simple and clear to see; just like what a sign should be like. The bright yellow stands out well and is often associated with happiness giving us an indication on how the main character (Ben) is feeling about his situation. The font used is quite long and thin and is similar to what is used on signs; the composition of the words suggest it could be on a sign because one word is under the other as if it couldn’t fit on a board. The words are also slightly at an angle like when someone has been holding up a sign for a while.

There are several close ups of signs we see everyday for example; street signs so we know where we are and ‘wait’ signs so we know when to cross a road. This relates to the name of the film ‘sign language’ it is almost like they talk to you telling you what to do in their own way, as if it’s a different language.

A long shot is used to show how the street looks with all the board guys, and gives us a sense of the busy and rushed street. It also gives an idea of their job and what they experience everyday.

The 180degree rule is used to show where he is setting up his plot, and his location. We see down the street one way and then the other with Ben (the board guy) still in the shot and at the same side each time (the left). 

Match on action is also used. We see Ben moving the sign to lean it against a lamppost, the angle of the shot changes to him doing the same thing but with us looking down the other side of the street. This helps the shots flow. However this would be hard to do in a documentary because it is real life and the action is captured when it happens, and to use match on action either more than one camera would be needed or everything would need to be repeated more than once (including everyone/thing in the shot).

Each shot is short, and they cut to the next very quickly without match on action this shows time is passing and speeds up the day into a few minutes.

When describing his colleagues a close up is used so that we can see Ben’s expressions and gives us an idea on how he feels about certain people. For example he likes Agna and has a nervous look.

He faces the way his colleague is positioned so we know where they are on the street, this is know as eye line match so we have an idea on where the person because we follow where his eyes are looking. (The shot of Ben is shown first then the two men.)

The focus on the camera is used often to divert our attention. The focus changes between what in the frame is clear and what isn’t e.g. the foreground or the background. An example of this is when we have a point of view shot and we see what he is seeing.

The sounds on the film are very important and reflect the everyday life of the board guys. The backing music is very relaxed and soothing. At the beginning of the film each chords of the guitar the shot changes, this helps it flow and carry on smoothly, it also gives a sense that time is moving on.

When describing his friend his voice is overlaid the shots before and after to keep it continuous; It also discuses the cuts between shots.

Through out the film there are lots of diagetic sounds for example lots of people walking and talking, buses and traffic going past; these are almost always on in documentaries. When Bens watch alarm goes off the diagetic music then stops and everything goes silent except for the street noises, this could show that he no longer is in his little bubble of holding up a sign but he is now in the real world with everyone else. When his friend calls out to say goodbye the music restarts as if he is been brought back so they can ay goodbye to him.

The end credits are similar to the beginning titles as it used the same font colour and composition; the only difference is that it is on a black background. This could be symbolise Ben because like the words he is the same but the background or in Bens case his job has changed.

We find out what he is doing now as the end credits are scrolling on the screen. Ben is speaking at the right hand side while the credits are on the left. A close up of his face is used so we can only see his expressions, until it cuts to a long shot of him stood in front of a plane. The shot dissolves off and the sound of a plane starts without a picture on. The Medium shot of Ben is then dissolved in on the left hand side and the credits are shown on the right.

A high angled shot is used when he is looking down towards Agna and a Low angled shot is used when Agna is looking up, this helps us know where the people for example Ben is high in his plane and Agna is on the ground with her sign.

The very last parts of the credits are on a black background with white font colour, it is plain and simple just like the opening titles. The sound from the plane is still heard and the music is also still been played in the background as if to say it is still his job he loves only better.

The production logo is shown in the last seconds; it is simple as it is only 3 dots in the shape of a triangle, but is also easy to remember and spot if we ever see it again.