Sherlock film essay

Porcia Armitage 

6th Feb 2021 MS essay                                                                                     

In the Sherlock Holmes Thriller short film the four technical elements combine to construct mood and tone which creates meaning in everything that happens in the film. For example the four technical elements create meaning in the setting which is a swimming pool further explained in the paragraph below. 

Firstly, the camera work has a big effect on the bridge between heavy and light moods and helps us find the initial shift in tone. 

The clip starts off with an establishing shot to help us get information about where the scene is set. From this, we know that the films set is a big, eerie swimming pool at night. Swimming pools are usually used for children during the day time and is known to be a happy place where they have fun and let their energy out. There is a comparison in mood because a fun environment has been transformed into a dark, abandoned environment which is the complete opposite of its purpose. This contrast between the moods of the setting have an effect in which the pool has two sides, Happiness and darkness, but one we never see which is the darker side. 

The main camera shots in this film are close ups, mid shots, over the shoulder,  wide shots, and shot reverse shots.

The close-up shots are primarily used the show facial expressions and emotions of the characters. It also helps us see the little details. For example close ups where used on Sherlock to show his face when Moriarty's phone rang with the song 'staying alive'. This close up shows us that Sherlock was very confused as to who was calling or thinking why is he getting a call and picking up it when he has a gun pointing straight at him. This relieves the tension in the film and brightens the tone. This effects the audience as they were so invested into the emotions and reactions  but then the suspense suddenly fell, which therefore, makes the mood lighter. 

The mid shots from the waist up where used to show both expression and emotion as well as showing us what was happening. For example, in the beginning of the film a mid shot was used to show the man with a bomb tied to his chest as well as his facials, showing us that he was frightened and scarred because it could have been his last day alive. This mid shot helps us see the danger the man was in and his emotions which makes the scene more intense and heavy as we can see more things taking place. This creates an effect of uncertainty upon the audience as they are focusing on many things while anxiously waiting for the result they ultimately expected, which was the man to be bombed. 

Over the shoulder shots have the effect of the watchers feeling apart of the film, like they are standing right behind him. The camera is placed right behind the shoulder to create a  suspenseful effect making the watchers question what will happen next. For example, an over the shoulder shot was used behind Sherlocks shoulder to show us that he was pointing a gun     and to show us who he was pointing the gun at. The camera comes out of focus from the gun and comes into focus when the camera has eyes on the bomb. This camera work is called wracking. By wracking the shot in and out of focus from the gun to the bomb, the audience goes tense which creates a suspenseful mood and a dark tone. This is because the gun symbolises death and danger which puts the characters and audience into an uncomfortable situation. 

Wide shots are used in this film to show the audience everything happening in one shot. For example, a wide shot was used near the end of the short clip to show Sherlock pointing a gun at Moriarty, the man sitting just behind Sherlock and Moriarty walking slowly towards Sherlock. This wide shot has let the Audience visualise the characters proximity to each other and shows us most of the pool. This wide shot has given us full view of everything happening in the scene which creates tension and a heavy mood.

The editing encourages the heavy and dark moods as many fade to blacks and quick cuts are used. Many of the quick cuts are used at the beginning of the film while showing a preview of what has just recently taken place. The word 'previously' has been edited into the clips at the beginning so the audience knows it is just a preview of what they have already watched. The quick cuts used in this film have a blinking effect so we feel as if each time we blink we see something new. For example, the quick cuts where used to show Sherlock enter into the set, the quick cuts helped speed up his entrance. This builds on the tension already in the film as the watchers are engaging in to see what will happen next in the blink of an eye.  The quick cuts last for around 2 seconds and draw out to a next shot to show more events taking place. 

Sound is used in the Sherlock film to help backup the editing and camera work to make it feel more suspenseful and create a dark, heavy mood. Diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound are used to get the echoey and airy mood. For example, non- diegetic sound is used to add in the sound of a heartbeat making the film more intense and help buildup to what is about to happen next. The heartbeat almost reminds us of a countdown. Next, diegetic sound is used when Moriarty's phone rings to the song 'staying alive'. This sound helps break the suspense and change the mood to a light and funny mood. The ringtone is ironic as the song is staying alive while the scene reminds us of death. Moriarty shocks the audience then by shouting 'SAY THAT AGAIN' right after the switch the a light mood which changes the mood back to dark and heavy. Diegetic noise is again used near the end which a click when Moriarty snaps his fingers which makes the room turn silent as it has reached to the end of the film. Here we can see that there is a strong relationship between the sound and visual aspects of the film because they both build each other up making the film more suspenseful for the audience. 

Mis-en-scene is used in the film to show us everything in the shot. Through this we can see the contrast between the pools at Night and during the day which I have explained in my first paragraph. An example used a lot of this film is obstruction. This is when the camera goes behind something so we can't see anything that is happening. For example, near the beginning of the film the camera moved behind a pole so we couldn't see anything happening behind it. This made the film more engaging because the audience wants to see what is happening. Obstruction is also used to show half of Moriarty's face in a dark shadow which is casting dark onto a dark character which then darkens the mood. Mis-en-scene is also used to show us the convention. The convention is a frequently used element which becomes a standard theme, mood or tone. The convention is scary, dark and ultimately what makes the film a thriller and suspenseful. Moriarty is wearing a formal suit which gives off a sense of power and status. Moriarty further shows class and status by not looking fazed which also gives off psychotic tendencies. Mis-en-scene also refers to lighting, props, costumes and placements of objects in the frames. All of these other factors contribute into the film to make it more thriller - like. For example, the lighting is very bright at some stages as it is late at night while other times the light fades when the scene turns more intense or overwhelming. Props are used such as the bomb, to make a big impact on the story line and help the audience understand what it is all about. The same goes for placement, for example, the bomb was thrown off the man and onto the floor where it wouldn't hurt the good guys while it would be closer to Moriarty and more likely hurt him if it where to explode. All of the little things like where objects are placed helps the audience not just watch and enjoy the short thriller film but help understand it. 

Overall, all of the camera work, editing, sound and mis-en-scene add to the changes in moods and tones and darkness and lightness. All of these factors contribute to the Narrative and help the audience see the bridge between heavy and light themes.