A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF SHORT FILMS BY JAKE WAGYU

This study aimed to analyze the verbal and non-verbal signs and to interpret their meanings in two short films by Jake Wagyu entitled Self-Reflection and Blank Slate. The data were taken from two short films uploaded on Jake Wagyu’s YouTube channel. The data were collected through observation by watching the videos repeatedly, noting verbal expressions, and capturing scenes containing non-verbal signs. A descriptive qualitative method was applied to analyze the data by using Saussure (1983) theory of semiotics to identify verbal and non-verbal signs, Barthes (1967) theory of meaning to interpret denotative and connotative meanings, and Cerrato (2012) theory of colour to support the interpretation of visual elements. In this study, the results indicate that non-verbal signs dominate the data, showing that meaning in the short films is mainly constructed through visual elements. Verbal signs, function to guide the audience in understanding the emotional and narrative context of each scene. Both verbal and non-verbal signs were found to contain denotative and connotative meanings that reflect themes of self-reflection, emotional struggle, personal choice, and life transitions. This study concludes that the interaction between verbal and non-verbal signs significantly contribute to conveying emotional depth and shaping audience interpretation in short films.