An analyse on the short film “The Black Hole”

I am analysing the short film “The Black Hole” directed by Phil & Olly. The genre of this short film is comedy having the generic conventions of having a twist towards the end, a recognisable setting and a simple idea that is not complex. This film was found on YouTube on the Futre Shorts channel a film festival company funded by the UK Film Council. The target audience of the film would be somewhere between the ages 25-30 because of the simplicity.

The storyline of the short film “The Black Hole” is about a man who is working alone at an office photo copying sheets when he suddenly comes across a sheet of paper with a black circle on it. He then realises that the black circle on the sheet acts like a black hole and allows objects to go through it and then ends up using it to steal money by sticking the sheet of paper on the safe. However his greed takes the better of him and he ends up getting trapped as he climbs into the safe whilst the sheet of paper falls down behind him being the twist towards the end of the film. The narrative is linear as it is shown in a chronological order and is not cut with other scenes taking part at the same time.  

The main camera shots used in the short film “The Black Hole” are medium close ups and close ups in order to show the mans reaction on his face for example when he finds out that the sheet with the black circle on acts like a black hole. Also wide shots and long shots are also used to show the setting and action taking place in scene for example the wide shot showing him that he is in an office. Editing is also used for example the use of reaction shots on the mans face when he finds out the piece of paper with the black circle acts like a black hole which is then followed by an eye-line match to further emphasise this. Frequent cuts are also used in order to make the short film seem paced and less boring for the audience watching which is a convention of a short film. The sounds used in the short film “The Black Hole” are for example diegetic sounds of the photo copier for example in order to make the scene seem more realistic for the audience watching. Non-diegetic music is also used for example again when he finds out the sheet of paper acts like a black hole indicating to the audience that something weird and unusual has happened.

Mise-en-scence is selected and contrasted in order to create a realistic environment and atmosphere for the audience to watch in for example the props used such as the photo copier, plastic cup, chairs, lamp etc. This is also demonstrated with costume as the man is wearing a smart shirt and tie a stereotypical thing that would be worn in an office. Low-key lighting is also used in order to show that the man is alone in the office and that no one else is with him. I believe that there is an encoded message or value in short film “The Black Hole” being that it is bad to be greedy and we find towards the end of the film he actually climbs into the safe to check whether he has taken all the money only to get trapped inside it.

To conclude the short film “The Black Hole” is an effective short film as camera shots, editing techniques, sound and mise-en-scene are used effectively and appropriately to create humour for the audience watching and it also has a twist towards the end a stereotypical feature of a comedy related film.