Mr. Symbol Man

197449 min 9 secFilm: Documentary

Direction: Bruce MoirBob Kingsbury

Production: Tom DalyFrank BagnallRichard Mason

Script: Stanley Jackson

Co-produced by the NFB and Film Australia.

"Blissymbols" are giving children without speech a joyous new means of communication. This film tells the story of a remarkable man, Australian Charles K. Bliss, who invented a symbol language (pictographs) originally as a means of overcoming the barrier of differing languages, and then found that it has an even greater, more rewarding application when used with speech-handicapped children. This is witnessed in Toronto and Montréal, where the Blissymbols are being used.

Other versions


Subject categories


  • People with disabilities > Children with DisabilitiesEducationHearing impairedPortraits
  • Education > Children with disabilitiesPortraitsTeaching MethodsVocational Education
  • Literature and Language > Grammar and Language FormsPortraits
  • Health/Personal Development > Careers & Education
  • Family Studies/Home Economics > Child Development
  • Technology Education > Communications and Technology

Credits


director
Bruce Moir
Bob Kingsbury
producer
Tom Daly
Frank Bagnall
Richard Mason
commentary
Stanley Jackson
camera
Michael Edols
Barry Perles
sound
Berry Von Browkhurst
Bev Davidson
Joseph Champagne
editing
Bruce Moir
sound editing
Gwen Barnhill
animation
Les Drew
re-recording
Jean-Pierre Joutel

Awards


  • Bronze Reel Award - Category: DocumentaryGolden Gate Awards Competition & International Film Festival
  • First Prize - Category: Didactic FilmsInternational Film Festival on Education
  • Golden Reel Award - Category: DocumentaryAustralian Film Awards
  • Second Prize - Silver Boomerang and Victorian Government Prize of $1,500AUSTInternational Film Festival