Story Of A Sign

AudienceThe target audience for this piece really could be quite a wide range. The only audience who this may not appeal to is perhaps very young children as they may not understand the concept of the film and its messages.

With the positive message it has a very wide appeal, although it doesn't seem as though it would have a particular niche. It could perhaps show more of an appeal to a female fan base appreciating the uplifting nature of the film more.

The absence of dialogue could work either way for the film. The audience could either lose focus without any dialogue, however I felt it may make others focus more to look out for interaction on screen.

RepresentationThe film is set in the present day. It helps the audience identify with the situation as many have passed a homeless person on the street and just passed by. Had it been set in the past perhaps it would have been harder to relate as attitudes towards the homeless have changed drastically in the past few decades.

The close up shots of the homeless old man accentuate his sorrow and portray him as a victim with his facial expressions and overall look or bring dirty and in need of help.The businessman is featured in many low angle shots to portray him as a powerful, strong, important character, as opposed to when he interacts with the homeless man who is shot in a number of high angle shots that make him appear weak, helpless and vulnerable.

The film carries the general stereotype of the people being too busy to stop and even acknowledge the homeless man but challenges it when the businessman helps him out.

SoundThere is an absence of non-diegetic sound throughout the entire short film, this reflects the tone of the film, relaxed and almost predictable. It coincides with the fact that there are no surprises or anything unexplained.

Due to the lack of dialogue the use of other diegetic sound is crucial to the film. The sound of the natural environment e.g. Children playing, birds singing gives a realistic feel to the film and adds to the belief that this could happen in everyday life.

As mentioned earlier in the presentation the lack of dialogue also helps shift focus to the events taking place on screen and helps hold the attention of the audience more.

The film is set in a Spanish town square which again adds to the realism. The location has much nature, children playing, a fountain etc. These features accentuate the perfect day it is and creates more empathy for the blind man, and helps add meaning to his sign at the end.

The homeless man’s character is created more with his image as well, the make up and torn clothes used make him look the part. His image of being quite dirty, old and decrepit creates a contrast to the pleasant scenery surrounding him. This again all creates more empathy for the character as he looks quite out of place and helpless.

Mise En Scene