Media Studies AS Foundation Portfolio Blog: Media Language in 'Black Hole'

Media Language in 'Black Hole'

Hyperlink to the short film: http://moodle.centralsussex.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=42855

The short film begins with titling which consists of a bold white coloured title composed in the centre of a black screen, perhaps so the tonal colours relate fully to the plot and main theme of the film. These are soon forgotten as a circle appears composed in the centre of the black screen and moves outwards to give the spectator a view of a scene behind the titling.

Before

After

The camerawork immediately consists of a pan and zoom to the right and focuses on a male protagonist at a medium close up at mid angle composed in the centre of the shallow depth of field frame. The spectator is now able to view the costume, hair and make-up of a man who seems to be located in an office setting. The costume shows he is a business man and perhaps an office worker, with his hair and make-up also supporting this allegation. The body language of the protagonist can also be partially seen, showing that he is a little run down and jaded in his work through the exaggerated sigh. The settings, decor and props we (the spectator) see surrounding the protagonist show an overcrowded office - in the sense of the props and decor - though no characters are seen.

After pan

Before pan

The lighting and colour both give a dull and dingy effect perhaps representing how the protagonist is feeling, this is confirmed through the mid shot at mid angle which focuses on the facial expression of the protagonist which is thoroughly bored and dispirited.

After the shot of the protagonists face we see a variety of close up and medium close up shots of the protagonist attempting to work the prop of the photocopier. A very high angle and mid angles are used showing the body language of the protagonist as aggravated whilst repeatedly pushing the button of and kicking the photocopier. An extreme long shot at low angle is also shown to establish the setting. At this point the sound is diegetic on screen sound and it is possible that a foley could have been used with the kick motion.

Close up at very high angle

Close up at mid angle

Extreme long shot at low angle

Medium long shot at mid angle

The only birds eye view angle is then used to show the paper prop (the 'black hole') in a close up shot. All of the transitions used in this short film are cuts, the next cut leads to a very low angle medium long shot of the protagonist drinking from the prop of a cup in a circular framing perhaps as a point of view shot from inside the black hole.

View from outside of 'black hole'

View from inside of 'black hole'

After more of the office setting and decor is shown to the spectator, the lighting is shown to be low-key and un-natural. A range of cut transitions are then used at a fast pace to give across the undertone of excitement and anticipation, mostly using close ups - commonly at mid or low angle - to show the protagonists facial expression also looking excitable. The sound is still diegetic at this time yet the 'black hole' provides an off screen sound, everything being parallel to the theme of the short film as a whole.

Close up at low angle of facial expression of protagonist

Props/decor such as a vending machine, door, handle and more are then shown before arriving at a mid angle mid shot of a metal safe prop. Fast pace editing is again used here to emphasise speediness and concealment.

This is also done in the following shots of the money prop.

Beginning shot

End shot

After the protagonist climbs through the 'black hole' close ups and extreme close ups are used at mid angle to show the strain on the tape prop. When the paper prop falls the shot returns to a mid angle mid shot and the sound bridge of the 'black hole' off screen sound builds to the papers falling diegetic on screen sound, not exactly through a crescendo but rather through use of anticipation.

The mid shot at mid angle then cuts to a medium long shot at mid angle, finally cutting to a long shot at mid angle, this creates the sense of isolation yet adds humour, showing that there is no sign of any characters in shot anymore. The sound bridge of the diegetic on screen sound of the prop of the photocopier printing sheets of paper adds to the intensity of the cuts and the nothingness of the now empty room setting.

Mid shot at mid angle