Silent Things

2)    Silent things - representation of disability

The sequence begins with an establishing shot of the beach. Disability is represented in terms of sound. Only background sound is displayed as there is no dialogue when we are introduced to our first characters, one male and one female. 

(Image 1)

This is ironic due to the title of the short film ‘silent things’. The scene cuts to the two characters (MS eye level) fiddling with a kite, and still no dialogue takes place. 

(Image 2)

  

It cuts to the male character on the beach flying the kite, and we see a POV shot of the kite. There is diegetic sound of the waves crashing. Another female character is introduced as she walks over to the male character and the camera shoots from behind at a long shot (2 shot).

   
(Image 3) 

They begin to exchange dialogue and there is no obvious sign of disability in either of the characters, it is only made clear to the spectator when the male character states that he has asperges syndrome. This represents this social group in a non-stereotypical way and suggests that the disability is a mild condition as there isn’t a contrast between the male and female characters in relation to disability and ability. There is a cut and the female character who was first introduced is approaching the two characters on the beach. Her facial expression looks angry and sad.

(Image 4) 

Her disability is represented through the use of sound, as when she walks over to the two characters their voices become very silent and muffled, therefore its clear she is deaf. There is a huge contrast between the sounds when the deaf girl speaks, compared to when the other two characters speak as we’re hearing it from the deaf characters point of view. Her disability is a lot clearer and more stereotypical than the male character, due to her body language and facial expression. It’s clear that she struggles to get her words out from her stuttering. This creates binary oppositions between the disabled and able.

  
(Image 5)

The scene cuts to the deaf character and her body language represents her disability as she acts differently. There is a cut and the setting changes where the second female character introduced and the male character are on a ferry. The male characters disability shows through his facial expression as he begins to look uncomfortable and uneasy. The camera is close up and facing him from a side angle. 

(Image 6)

His inability to cope with his surroundings shows through editing as there are cuts of the people around him and the non-diegetic sound becomes quieter.   

(Image 7)

The female character turns to him to see that he is struggling and her facial expression shows concern. There is shallow depth of field as the camera focuses on her face. He pushes her away as she tries to comfort him and the sound becomes distorted and quiet. His body language is slumped as he lowers his head and flinches when people try to touch him and comfort him. This represents his disability as it becomes clearer that he isn’t completely able. This creates spectator positioning as we feel sympathetic towards him and his situation.

The scene cuts to the deaf female character, and her disability is represented through her facial expression as she is talking to herself and closing her eyes – it’s clear from her facial expression and body language that she is also struggling. When she sees the police speaking to the male character she tries to approach them however they don’t allow her to. Non-diegetic music plays which creates a gloomy atmosphere and reflects her mood and disability. The image is de saturated and the diegetic sound is very quiet and muffled.

(Image 8)

It cuts back to the male character who is crying into his hands. This shows his disability as it shows that he is mentally unable to cope.

(Image 9)

There is an eyeline match between the deaf character and the male character and a shot reverse shot sequence as they both fail to handle the situation.

His facial expression is very distressed which allows the spectator to feel sympathy towards him and his disability. There is a continuous ringing sound (non-diegetic) which also represents their disability. The female character doesn't take her eyes off him as he walks away. She turns her head to follow him and there is an eye line match and a shot reverse shot sequence as he looks back at her before he walks away. It cuts to the other female character leaving the hospital walking toward the camera (MS) where we see a POV shot of the female character who is deaf standing outside on her own looking down at the floor sadly. It cuts back to the other female (CU) where her facial expression looks shocked and sympathetic. The deaf character walks away and there is a fade to black. The next scene is of the male character on the beach from previous shots (LS).

(Image 10)

There is diegetic sound of the waves crashing and the deaf female character walks into the frame. It cuts as she crouches down next to him (MS) as she helps him build his kite. There is no dialogue again. There is a cut to a side view CU of them and an eye line match towards the sky where a bird is flying and cuts to the male characters face (CU) who is smiling whilst watching the bird, and then to her. There is non-diegetic music playing which is calm. It cuts to an ELS overlooking the beach and then white titles appear in the centre of the screen.