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Locations
Universal Signs was shot in thiry nine days in both Philadelphia, PA, and Los Angeles, CA. There were nineteen Philadelphia locations and one LA location. Some of the locations were special and unique for the production, and we have provided interesting notes about them below.

University of the Arts
The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, generously donated the use of their Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, the exterior of their main building, Hamilton Hall, and several interior offices as sets for Universal Signs.
Special Note: Hamilton Hall was the original site of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Our Lady of Ransom
The Our Lady of Ransom parish in the Northeast region of Philadelphia is the location of the Catholic Deaf Apostolate. Our Lady of Ransom holds several masses a week interpreted in American Sign Language.
Special Note: Many parish members, both Deaf and hearing, participated as extras.

Other Notable Locations:
Drexel University
Doubletree Hotel
Front & Wolf Streets, Philadelphia
Mayfair Diner
MINT, 50 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
Mural Arts Program
Onion Flats
Pearlstein Properties
SEPTA
Starbucks located at the Shopps @ Penn

Art
Art plays a very powerful role in Universal Signs. Andrew, the lead character in the movie, is a celebrated artist originating from an artistic family. His mother was a children’s book illustrator. In the course of the story, we find that she named him after her favorite children’s book character, Raggedy Andy. Although not a painter or illustrator, Andrew’s father has his own creative talents as a famous cellist. For Andrew, art is not only a form of artistic expression but also a link to his spirituality.

Sally Trace
Sally Trace is a painter of contemporary, modern, abstract art reflecting influences of Cubism, Modernism, the Bauhaus, Surrealism, and Psychedelia. Universal Signs Productions commissioned the very talented, Bucks County artist to create original pieces of art for the film. Trace also allowed Universal Signs to use some of her other work in the film as set dressing.

Art is a metaphor for life. In both cases, we keep mucking through the rubble, the chaos and ugliness while keeping our perceptions tuned for perfection. When we are fortunate, a glimpse of perfection does emerge. It exists, with absolute clarity, behind all of our perceptions of chaos, and occasionally we are able to uncover it and see its grace and power. That's why painting is a metaphor...the field is completely open each time we step up to the canvas; we are free to go in any direction. But exercising that freedom is a paradox because the rules about what works visually are as perfect and eloquent as the rules of mathematics, in a wild sort of way. Maybe they're the same rules in a different context. So absolute freedom in painting is a matter of relinquishing one's free will to the requirements of the painting. Just like life in general, we're only really free when we relinquish our own willfulness to Divine will.

I'm in love with shape and color. I like to create paintings that have a feeling of substance and give the viewer a sense of having their imagination set free. But mostly, it's joy that I wish to express to extend an understanding of joy through beauty that is pure and beyond our usual earthly thought patterns. To whatever degree I'm able to do this, I believe it's worth doing. It's such a delight when people connect with a painting; it's humbling and astounding at the same time. If no one were ever to see my paintings, I'd still be compelled to make them, but it's wonderful when they go out into the world and find their own home.
– Sally Trace

Stuart Adelman
Stuart Adelman is a Deaf illustrator and artist from the Philadelphia area. Adelman has illustrated two children’s books Six Stars and Peebers Goes to The Moon. He is currently illustrating a third story titled Santa Celebrates Hanukkah. Universal Signs Productions commissioned this gifted artist to illustrate the children’s book representing the work of Andrew’s mother. He tenderly recreated the beloved children’s characters Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Form of line, colors of the rainbow, characters of art, illustration and cartoon drawings are in my blood and mind. As a little boy, they were my first language when I did not know how to make words come out of my mouth. I was born deaf, and I spoke very few words in my early childhood. I wasn’t able to speak in complete sentences like most people. I never liked to read or write or even to learn words. Words and English seemed to bounce away from my ears. My parents did not use sign language, and they only talked directly to me. When I tried to talk to them, I couldn’t say the words I meant. I did a lot of screaming with body and arm expressions. They didn’t know what I was trying to say to them and had no clue at all. We were frustrated. I pulled out a piece of paper and crayons, and I drew pictures of what I wanted to say to them and what I wanted them to give me. That was the early communication between my parents and me. When I realized how much fun it was to draw and use color, I fell in love with it. The more I drew and used color, the more it helped me to learn words, speak in sentences, and use English. I was able to talk to my parents, people, family and friends. Of course, it also helped that my parents had special speech and hearing therapists to tutor me. I went to art college and was trained specifically in art, illustration and animation. Every day, I learned something new to draw and to improve my art and use of color. Today I’m a freelance artist, illustrator and graphic designer. I like to draw and paint original pictures and greeting cards. My dream is to publish my own children’s books and short novels with my illustrations. Also, I want to create work for business offices, Web designs, and maybe produce an animated movie. This way more people could be acquainted with my work and me.
– Stuart Adelman

Contributing Artists:

Special Thanks for other set dressings/artwork:
Patricia & Roy Amazalorso
American Pie
Condé Nast Elegant Bride
Cottage Home
Indigo Arts
The Irish Shop
Kinzig Designs
Mural Arts Program
Rebecca & Farid Naib
New York Times
Sand Castle Winery