Pitch Black Heist
Liam (Liam Cunningham) and Michael (Michael Fassbender) are professional safe crackers who meet on a simple job to relieve an office safe from its contents. The catch is a light activated alarm system impelling the men to embark on a pitch black heist. The short film, directed by John Maclean, displays several key areas of film analysis, such as camera, mise-en-scene, editing, sound and semiotics.
Mise-en-scene
- low-key lighting/black and white
- piled cardboard boxes (props)
- all characters wear mostly dark, plain clothing
- open warehouse - exclusive to only them
- two main characters mirror each other to hint their relationship
- blindfolds
- Liam and Michael stand directly across from each other while the third character Isaac stands in the middle
- steam from kettle
- warehouse lights in background
- empty city streets
- dark empty pub, they're alone
- they are sitting away from each other
- large window provides bright white light in background, contrasts with dark room,
Camera
- long establishing crane shot - tilts down to overhead view of cardboard boxes- could foreshadow downfall
- static shot on michael and liam talking - introduces two main characters
- camera tracking shot follows them practising heist
- static shot of cardboard safe stood in between two characters- symbolise barrier between them
- camera fades from warehouse to show establishing shot of scene change empty streets
- close up of Michael's fingers practising the walk to the safe
- long shot of them sitting, shows wall paintings, makes them appear smaller
- camera tracks their silhouettes walking down hallway they look menacing
- tracking shot of Michael walking along to the song in pub, continues and captures Liam doing the same - song has meaning to both of them
- overhead light shines on them both at pool table, half in shadows, half in light
- camera zooms in on an 8 ball (8 ball associated with fortune, future and good luck)
Editing
- title;words 'Pitch', 'Black' and 'Heist'appear sudden and abrupt one after the other
- bold, simple, black lettering
Sound
- opening title, piano keys descending-'downhill effect'
- music is melancholy
- diegetic sound - song playing in pub - both of them know it and could hint a hidden past
Semiotics
- warehouse, Michael initially stands behind Liam, but ends up in front- emblematic of a power shift between father and son
- steam from kettle and smoke vapour from cigarette could symbolise ruin, darkness, unclarity, toxicity
- overhead light, almost angelic - symbolises exposure and truth
- an 8 ball is a symbol of both good and bad luck, 'magic 8 balls' tell fortune - could be dark
- white light could symbolise an unfolding or exposure of truth
- arm wrestling symbolises leverage and strength - Michael wins
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