4) Short Film - Pitch Black Heist

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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