The Black Hole - Short film (Virgin Media Short)
The film starts with a faded side zoom, as
the zoom gets closer the focus on the tall figure begins to clear and the
protagonist releases a long sigh. There is a clear view of the setting, a
normal cooperate after-office hours, straightaway the audience are made to feel
unease as the low-key lighting and dull background induces an element of
horror. The transitions between each shot are quick and snappy but also flow,
as the protagonist reaches for the paper the camera shot is a close up using
the rule of thirds, in which he is placed in the middle making him the dominant
focus in the shot. A high angle is used when showing the character drinking his
water, through he view of the black hole, showing the distortion, also the fact
that it has a circular outline it sort of acts as though we are looking though
hole. There is a camera shot where the protagonist is at eye level with the
camera and the audience can view his emotions at face value. This perhaps
connotes the seriousness of the black hole. There is an extreme close up of the
protagonist’s expressions. Moreover, every time the black hole is presented it
is often in the middle of the shot denoting its importance. The shot which
appealed to me the most is when the shadow of the protagonist was shown from a
long shot, also the headroom of the protagonist offers a mysterious look as he
walks in his head is placed in the lower thirds of the frame, when he switches
the lights on there’s an instant flash, with which the positioning of the
camera shot it makes him far more dominant and gives him the undeserved power
he wants. At this point his body language is far more awake, his sigh is short
and breathless making him look like the most important figure in the room. The
camera shots changes from a quick pan, to close up, to long distance, to right
angle shot, the variations in the shots which are snappy and quick are in sync
with the character’s actions making him appear desperate and hesitant in what
he is doing.
The protagonist’s costume is an everyday
work attire, which links with the setting he is in, clearly telling us that
perhaps he is working late hours, overtime.
The posture in which he carries himself
creates a tired and fatigue persona, which is also apparent in the way his
sleeves are rolled up to his elbows trying to create verisimilitude by
recreating real life scenarios. His facial expression throughout the film
varies, however not significantly. In the beginning he is annoyed as he rolls
his eyes and raises an eyebrow as he kicks the photo copier, this changes to a
confused and distressed look as he begins to squint his eyebrows and his eyes
become small. His movements are steady yet sharp as he pulls back and examines
the room to see if he’s alone. At 1 min and 17seconds his tiresome eyes are
still there but his lips and cheeks come alive as he gets excited mildly and
goes to the vending machine. There are minimal colours throughout the film,
which are cool, deep and cold colours that are conventionally associated with
the mystery genre.
There is ambient sound which occurs from
the beginning, the low level of background noise alongside the photocopier as
well as clock reveal the quietness of the room, as an audience it made me feel
as though he is alone, as the lack of voices and movement often found in a busy
office is not there. Moreover, I have noticed a sting associated with the black
hole, every time the character physically touches or the back hole is the main
focus there is a deep, fading sound effect, inducing it’s significance as well
as danger. The audio levels are manipulated as the reoccurring volume and fade
time increases as he finds the safe with the money.
By analyzing this video, I have found that
although there is no speech throughout the film, the thoughts and feelings of
the protagonist is clearly expressed through the facial expressions, body
posture and speed of movement. I have learnt that through just by the posture
the audience can read the characters mood and any change in this area will be
noticed and picked up by the audience therefore in my own short film I make
sure I keep in mind the pace and composition of my main characters movements.
