In-depth analysis of short film, Black Hole

1. This is the opening shot to the film and presents a logo to a group
called “Future Shorts”. Future Shorts is a small but established
companywhohelpsfundandproduce studentmade short film. The
fontsuggestsa contemporaryandmoderncompany especially with
the contrasts of the white and red fonts on the black background.
Thisestablishingshotdisplaysamainlygrey and dull typically office
setting creating a muted feels to the scene but allowing the
audience tostill anticipate the rest of the shot. The font of the title
reminds me of a comic book style particularly the bold font with
sharp edgesaswell asthe whole title printedincapitals.Despite the
all capital title you can still make out slight differences through the
heightof the firstlettersin each words suggest a capital letter. The
shotpans to the rightbut still fromthe distance it’s at until the man
comes into frame when it zooms in to him further. As the camera
approaches the man, you can see the bored and disheartened
expression on his face implying he doesn’t enjoy his job, this is
furtheremphasized through the loud diegetic sigh. The grey colour
palette has continue through this whole scene and even the man’s
complexionlooksagreytintas well ashe white shirtwhichisn’tvery
white either. The rolledupsleevesandundone topbutton suggests
he either has a lack of respect for his workplace and authority
figures within that establishment or that he is tired and spending
more time at work than he hoped for. This sets the film up for a
change as if something interesting is bound to come after this
mundane start.
The close up of the photocopier as the man repeatedly bashes the
keystellsthe audience he has become impatient and obviously has
been waiting here for a while now. The diegetic in-synchronous
sounds of the keys further emphasizes this annoyance this the
photocopier.
The reaction shot of the man’s discontent with the photocopier
showsthe pointof the disruptioninthe narrative as the film begins
to become more interesting. The lighting continues to be dark and
still verygreyandthere has currently been no contrast of any other
colours.
This shot of the man’s portfolio creates the illusion of continuity
editingasif the whole scene isrecordingthe man’sinteractionswith
the photocopier. I feel that this shot could even be considered a
reactionshotafterviewingthe shotspreviousas it forms a cohesive
lookto the filmbringingthe camera’seye backaroundto a mid-shot
of the man at the photocopier.

2. After repeatedly beating of the photocopier it finally produces
the image of the rather ominous black circle (or black hole as
the title implies). This is a striking visual as it’s the first time
there hasbeena mass contrastin colouror shape until thisclose
up. The solidness of the circle makes the frame visual very
appealing as it brings the audiences eyes to the centre of the
shot subconsciously.
Thisclose up reactionshotof the manto the blackhole tells the
audience thatitwasn’tintentionallyforhimto print this making
it an enigmainthe film. The man then places the paper to side
of the copier. Continuity editing is used to make the viewing
smooth and uninterrupted with the use of more flashy editing
techniques such as fades and wipes between shots. The next
shots further highlight the enigma (the black hole) as the man
checks the photocopier for the original print.
Thisshot is the first of which were we see from inside the hole
out. This shot creates the deception of depth from within the
hole byuse of the low angle,Ifeel italsocreatesthe impression
that someone is looking out within the hole. During the shot
there is a diegetic buzzing tone sound effect played over this
shot crafting the idea that this is an object with power and it’s
from a strange and unknown place.
After a mid-shot and straight cut to this shot; we see the man
place the cup down and ending up putting through the hole. As
this happens the synchronous buzzing tone occurs as the cup
disappearsinfrontof the camera and man.This throws the man
off centre and he quickly realises.
Thisreactionshotshows the audience the man’s confusion and
interest for the black hole. The repeated use of the low angle
captures the man’s reaction as if he is directly looking into an
actual hole. I think that this shots crafts the idea that the black
hole isinfact a beingthanan objectas I get the impression that
the black hole is in fact looking back at the man due to the way
they have captured this shot.
This mid shot takes a step back from the previous the shot and
creates perspective for the audience by reminding them the
black hole is on a piece of paper placed on top of a copier
making it even more incomprehensible as an item. This is also
conveyed through the man’s facial expressions, the look of
shock and perplexity confirms the audience that this isn’t a
normally occurrence is for the character on screen.

3. This close up shows the man’s growing curiosity with the
blackhole,especiallyas he places his hand inside the black
hole to retrieve the plastic cup, this has constructed the
illusion of depth within the hole. I’m unsure of how they
have actually created the visuals of the man’s hand inside
the hole but if I’m to take an educated guess and suggest
that special effectssuchasgreen scenes have been used to
fabricate this shot. The buzzing tone is repeated again in
this scene and becomes noticeable louder in volume the
further inside the man’s hand goes into the hole.
Thisreactionshot,takenfroma mid-shotdistance,captures
the man’s shock to have got the cup out of the hole. The
man’s disbelief in the unknown suggests an element of
fantasy or more so sci-fi conventions.
After several more attempts of placing his hand inside the
hole over a series of mid-shots from different angles the
man learns the potentials of the black hole and begins to
trail more advanced activities through this process. Over
these shots; there is repeated use of the synchronous
buzzing tone and more apparent use of special effects.
Now the man has realised the full potential of the black
hole, he begins to use it for immoral and selfish purpose.
Thisscene of the man at the vending machine starts a mid-
shotfollowingastraightcutit changesshotsto a close up of
the man placinghishandthroughthe hole intothe machine
and grabbing a chocolate bar and passing back through.
Once retrievingthe Snickersbarandwalking away from the
vending machine; the camera shows a close up of the man
lookingpleasedwithhimself ashe eats.Thisisthe first time
the man actually smiles, this suggest that this character is
potentially very selfish and materialistic. This scene also
suggeststhatthisman has a lack of moralsif his happy after
stealing. Still in the same close-up the man turns head and
his eye line directs to the right of the frame. The eye line
match shot following this one is directed towards a door
witha signstatingkeepout.Thistellsthe audience that this
isthe nextplace the manis going to break into. The camera
thengoesback to the man’sface at a close-up showing him
witha much more angry and determined expression on his
face. The last three shots used the editing technique
shot/reverse shot technique which is also another feature
of continuity editing.

4. After walking towards the door, the next shot has been
filmed from the other side of the door in a darkroom
making the man on the other appear as just a silhouette.
Although you can only make out the man’s head from the
silhouette because this has been filmed from a low angle
looking u, I would class this as a mid-shot.
The close up of the opposite side shows the hands hand
goingthroughthe door viathe black hole and opening it as
the diegeticin-synchronousof the door handle turning and
the door opening can be heard. The use of sound informs
the audience that his attempt was successful.
Once inside the room, the lightabove flickersonand off for
a couple secondsquicklygivingviewers and glimpse of the
man’sfacial expressions.The manhasa slightlycrazed look
on hisface mainly because the glare he is directly towards
the camera whichisin the eye line of the rest of the room.
This tells the audience that there is something he want’s
what is in this room. I feel that the black hole has in some
ways possessed this man through the energy and power it
gives off, making him perform gluttonous acts which prior
to the discoverof the black hole he may not of partakingin.
Afterusingthe 180 degree rule to switch sides of the man,
the audience then see what he was looking at in the
previousshot – the safe.Safeshave obviousdenotations of
storing money and as well as being secure and hard to get
into therefore you can assume what the man is about to
attempt.
The next shot shows the man just about to enter through
the safe but before he starts he looks over his shoulder
withhisbodyfacing the camera. Looking over his shoulder
showsthe audience he isstill tryingto be careful to not get
caught. Noticeable, the light is shinny on his face as he
turns to the side this could represent the good or the law
that he’s avoiding by committing this act. However the
scene is predominantly dimly lit just as the all the other
shots have been.
Once the man grabs inside the safe the camera changes to
a close up angle as he pulls more money out of the safe.
The camera then begins to do a series of straight cuts
which quickly alternate between close ups and mid-shots
from different angles. This generates a frantic and manic
atmosphere especiallywhichthe use of sound, the buzzing
tone and non-diegetic office noises increases and
decreasing in volume in throughout the scene.

5. This close up shows the man’s loss of control and
principlesashe’s been taken over by greed. The use of
the close up here is important because as well as
showing the audience a better close up of the man’s
facial expression,italsocreates the impression you are
physicallywatchinghim go crazy in front of you making
it disturbing in some ways.
You then watch the full decline of the man as he puts
hiswhole bodyinside the safe ineffortsto get all of the
money out. I feel like his full descent into the hole
represents a path he has now chosen that he is set on.
At thispointthe buzzingtine whichsignifies movement
in and out of the black hole is louder than even before
with non-diegetic sounds of the photocopier become
loaders and repeat more frequently.
The shot then straight cuts to the next of the tape. At
first you can see the tape is beginning to peel away as
you hear the noises from within the safe. The tape
unsticks and the paper falls to the fall leaving the man
trapped inside the safe. Like the close up before, this
shot allows the audience to watch the tape tear away
giving the more information than the character at this
point.
Once the paper is flat on the floor, the camera changes
to amid shot as you hear the asynchronous diegct9c
sound of the man banging on the safes door from
within. The banging not only shows he’s trapped but
tells the audience he’s distressed and panicking. The
sound of the photocopier get louder through the shot.
The final shot is a long shot and at this point the
photocopier’s non-diegetic sounds are significantly
louder than the noise of the banging on the safe. This
creates the effect of distance especially with the long
shotfollowingthe mid-shot. The frame then fills black
as the photocopier’s sound bridges over shortly but
ends before the credits appear.
Narrative:
The Black hole has closed narrative meaning the film has a clear beginning, middle and end. It proposes a constant for the
audience fromstartto finishdespite the featuresof a disruption. It follows a linear narrative following the experience one
man has with a printed anomaly, otherwise known as the black hole. I feel it would be inappropriate to apply Vladimir
Propp’scharacter typestothisfilmsthere isonlyone personinthe filmas despite hisattentionsinthe beginIfeel his lack of
morals take away the title of hero but I feel that he isn’t a villain due to his stupidity and basic and truly petty crimes as I
would consider someone more diabolical a villain in comparison to the character presented in this film. The Black Hole
complieswiththe codes of Tzvetan Todrov’s narrative structure theory despite the unclear ending it does resolve the film
with a moral lesson.

6. Ideology:
Whendeeperanalysingthe filmIfeel there isalotof linkstothe ideasof sinningparticularlyemphasisof the “Seven Deadly
Sins”(wrath,greed,sloth, pride,lust,envy,andgluttony).Forexample sloth,hislazinessatworkinthe openingscene,greed,
stealingwhatisn’this,gluttony,wantingmore money afteralreadystealingandpride,beingproudof himself forstealingthe
Snickersbar.AlthoughthisisjustspeculationIfeel this is an educated observation which can be applied to this short films.
Representation:
Due to the lackof charactersI feel that this film doesn’t represent a group pf people as such and has been made purely for
artisticpurpose.Howeverif tothinklogicallyyoucouldsuggestthatitrepresentsyoungmalesnotonlybecause the the only
character isa male butbecause thatI feel theyare the mosteasyto fall intotemptationssuchasmoneyas the character di d.
It representsagenerationof people lookingforaneasyoptionoutbutinformsthemthatthe consequencesof thatwill leave
you worst off that before.
Genre:
Based on the content of the film, I think the film fits into the sci-fi genre because it has the use of the black hole as it’s a
feature seeninothersci-fi filmslike Interstellar.Thisisa code of sci-fi films especially to include anomalies 0r enigma’s like
this black hole as it ,makes people think beyond daily life and can act as a form of escapism especially sometimes this
anomaliescouldbecome possibilitiesone day.Ithink thisispart of the reasonwhysci-fi filmsare aspopularas itgenerates a
whole “whatif”wat of thinkingwhichisreally inspiringwhenyouliveintoday’s society. The sci-fi genre is renounced for its
constantand impressiveuse of special effectsespeciallythe ones showcased in the short films (the hand going through the
paper into the hole), I did try to get in contact with the makers of this film but was unsuccessful in funding out how they
createdtheirsocial effectsbutIthinkthattheyhave useda greenscreenas weekasa visual touchup to produce the reali stic
scenes involving the black hole.