Signature....................

“You need to know the right people to make it” – a phrase you’ve likely heard, or someone close to you has. It’s often said when you or they are contemplating a career in the arts. It’s a phrase that lingers, leaving a lasting impact, and over the years, I've come to understand just how deeply these words resonate with so many people.

Signature is a short film that explores the emotional crossroads between following one’s passion and choosing the perceived safety of a conventional, white-collar path. At its core, the film questions a common assumption: that giving up on your passion will lead to a more secure, successful life. The truth is, even the so-called "safe" route offers no guarantees — and that’s the crux of this story.

Through the character of Chris Jnr, we see a man whose own pursuit of stability didn’t turn out the way he had hoped. His career path faltered despite making the “responsible” choice, and instead of confronting that failure, he blames his earlier passion — blaming dreams, not circumstance. In an attempt to protect his son Charlie from the same perceived mistake, Chris takes control of Charlie’s future, pushing him away from his love of painting. This dynamic becomes a central motif in the film: a father projecting his unresolved fear and regret onto his child, unknowingly stifling the very thing that gives Charlie life.

Visually, this is expressed through Charlie’s world losing colour and vibrancy the more he’s forced to abandon his passion. It’s a metaphor for what happens when we’re stripped of what makes us feel alive — and a reflection of how generational fear can suppress creative identity.

Signature is ultimately about the risks we take, the ones we avoid, and how both shape who we become. It’s a story for anyone who's ever had to choose between what they love and what they’ve been told is “safe.”