The black whole

The Black Hole

Message

The message of this film is Greed and consequence. The purpose of the black hole has such a simple use for the character but it gets out of hand due to the greed of the man,

Target Audience

This short film is suitable for all genders and ages. It could be seen as a lesson for the young and a reminder or warning for adults. This is such a simple film yet so clever and the lack of characters, dialogue and sound makes it suitable for absolutely anyone.

Institution

‘Future shorts’ is the film label.

Narrative Structure

This film has a very simple linear form. It starts of with a dull and boring atmosphere in the first scene, but then the scenes and atmosphere become full of curiosity and bewilderment, as the character uses the hole for bigger and bigger ideas. The ending acts as a punishment, and may also make the viewer laugh at the consequence.

Mise en scene Location- the background is made up of

office equipment such as computers, file cabinets, desks and lamps, all these props tell us where it is set.

Props- the plastic cup is a typical water cooler cup that a lot of people associate with work places, which contributes to the location.

Lighting- the lighting is a dull blue, this connotes his dull and bored mood and the atmosphere.

Costume- the character is wearing a shirt and tie, which shows he belongs in this business environment. His hair condition tells the audience that he has been working all night and is fed up and tired.

Sound

Sound effects- the first sound the audience hears is an enhancement of a photocopier, this is important as it is the main aspect of the film. Every time the audience feels inside the hole (p.o.v), there is a soft, quiet, eerie sound to make the viewer aware they are in a different place and to make it more realistic. For example, the audience hears the crackle of the cup when he picks it up, but as soon as they are ‘inside the hole’, they can no longer hear it, just the eerie sound. This sound is also enhanced whenever something goes through it, for example, when the cup falls through, we don’t see this but the enhanced sound gives the viewer a clue and keeps them curious.

Dialogue- there is no dialogue from the single character, which keeps the film simple, and forces the audience to concentrate more on actions and facial expressions.

Diegetic sound- the photocopier is the most dominant sound as it is continuous throughout the entire film, and is enhanced right at the end and mixed with the tapping of the man form the inside, to emphasise how the story has completely come full circle, and how drastically the situation has ended.

Camera angles

High angle- this is used when the black hole comes out of the machine, this gives a clear view of it, as this is clearly odd and unusual.

Low angle- the camera is positioned at a low angle every time the audience is ‘inside the hole’. This makes the audience feel as though they are looking up at the character through the hole.

Camera movement

Tracking- this movement is important at the start of the film because it reveals more and more of the mise en scene as the camera moves, telling us where the character is and that he is alone. This is also seen when the camera follows the character into the room, and it does this every now and then to create the idea that someone may come and this creates tension.

Camera shots Close up- a close up of the character is used to

allow the viewer to read his bored facial expressions. Another close up is important at the start, this is wear the viewer see’s his hand impatiently pressing a button on the photocopier, this implies that he is operating it and that there is a problem about to happen. One close up showed the greed on the mans face as an idea popped into his head, this is essential to the viewer to get the message across. The viewer receives a clear view of the tape about to un- stick through a close up, this creates tension as they make conclusions to what is about to happen

Mid shot- a mid shot is when the cup mysteriously falls through the hole, however the mid shot forbids the viewer from seeing this, to keep the audience unclear still

Long shot- however the long shot straight afterwards explains what has actually happened.

Side shot- the audience has a side view of the character holding up the black hole, so it is clear and dramatic when they see that his hand disappears.

Camera composition

Zoom- a slight zoom was used to direct the audience direction to what the characters attention is drawn to, for example when he noticed the locked door with the sign ‘keep out’, the camera zoomed in to make this clear that this has caught the characters attention.

Representation

The setting is a modern day office, and the viewer can tell this by the modern equipment such as photocopiers and computers that society associates with office jobs.

This tells the audience what type of job this character has. From the fact that he is working late at night, photocopying, the audience can tell that he does not have a high status role in the company he works for.

His appearance is sloppy an messy, suggesting he had been working for a long period of time, which gives the impression he his bored and fed up with his job.

close ups also show the audience his depressed mood, suggesting he has a dull personality.

Editing

Transitions- the title ‘The black Hole’ is presented through a transition of a large whole expanding out of the screen. This whole reveals the scene, as if the audience is looking through it.

Quick cuts are edited together when he is taking out the money from the safe. This shows the passing of time and emphasises the amount of money he is taking.

Continuity- when the camera backs out of the room, it is done in large cuts that is in rhythm with the photocopier, this gives a nice flow of continuity.