I called The Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow, a motionless movie because, well, it is. It’s a horror in which an unseen investigator is sent some potential clues through a photograph. The opening credits are displayed on a series of letters and postage while the sounds of breathy eerie whispering plays. This creates a sense of mystery. The opening implies that there has been a case of occult-like murders committed on children and Mister Hollow, the person who sends the information to the investigator, has a photo that may shed some light on the case.
Throughout the duration of the film, the audience is introduced to Mr. Hollow’s photograph. Eerie 30th century Music is being played in the background and as the story becomes more apparent, the music's intensity increases. The camera is taken from one side to the next the photo which is clearly from the 30’s because of the sepia color and the people’s wardrobe. On the right side, there is a man lighting a fire, in the middle is a man with glasses on standing next to what may be his wife. The husband is smiling and waving at something while the woman has a frighten look on her face while she holds a baby tightly. Next to her, is a man looking to the side of him where a car is parked.
As the camera moves across the photo, it zooms in and out of little details. This effect allows the audience to become the investigators. Like he would study the picture and notice new evident, we become his eyes and eventually understand the mystery behind the case of Mister Hollow.
The concept was brilliant and new to me. As more elements were revealed, I nervously anticipated what would happen next--this was a perfect for a horror film. I felt as though was the investigator because I was trying to crack the case. I was very entertained by this creative and clever short film. It compelled me to want to think outside the box for future projects.
http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/08/30/the-facts-in-the-case-of-mister-hollow/
