Throughout the sequence clip, close-up shots are used, mainly on props, e.g. the typewriter and the parcel.
The camera's angle is kept low so that the characters aren't revealed until later on which portrays mystery and emphasizes clues to the plot. The main focus of the camera is on the parcel so that the audience is drawn to it in question 'what is inside the parcel?' The camera angle is also used to hide whoever gave the parcel to the woman who later interacts with Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.)
The establishing shot of the cathedral is used to indicate the location and era.
Sound:
The music is the first sound to be heard, starting with a subtle violin which fades into a repetitive guitar plucking/strumming then a cello and a piano melody which comes in when the titles are removed to the scene with the magnifying glass. The music brings suspense at the beginning which captures the audiences attention.
The sound of the typewrite is used also to give the audience an idea of what year it is which is confirmed by the dialogue as '1891'.
This next part of sound is non-diegetic dialogue as the Sherlock's assistant (Jude Law) is at the typewriter telling us what he is writing about, but because his lips don't move, it implies that he is thinking.
The narrative dialogue gives a good introduction to the film which keeps the audience patiently waiting for the first bit of action. The dialogue ends as the establishing shot of the cathedral leads into an bomb explosion, immediately grasping the audience's full attention through the excitement and thrill of the action. The sound of the bomb explosion is clearly made louder than normal so that it is most exciting.
Ambient sounds in the market and off the newspaper seller are again used to refer to the location, the time and bombing event: when, where and what.
The music becomes a full string orchestral piece as the tension and excitement increases.
Editing:
So far the editing is subtle.
The titles at the beginning are part of an animation of a book.
The takes are long in the first half of the clip lasting approximately 8-20 seconds each. The cuts then become faster when the first shot of Sherlock Holmes is shown, lasting barely 8 seconds until the camera shot where the two main characters meet. The cuts are spaced out more onwards.
The cuts are fastest at the points most thrilling and action packed so that no excitement is lost, however to my surprise I found that the bomb explosion was on a long take, which worked well because it allowed time for the audience to think about the bomb explosion and it's significance. Had the shot been very short, the event would not have been easily remembered.
Mise En Scene:
The props on the desk are used to represent when, where and what; the typewriter and the magnifying glass.
Clothing is traditional fashion of the 1890's.
The location is is shown in the establishing shots of the market and the cathedral, typical buildings of the age.
Here are the researched people involved in the production and distribution of the film:
Directed by:
Guy Ritchie
Produced by:
Joel Silver
Lionel Wigram
Susan DowneyDan Lin
Written by:
Kieran Mulroney
Michele Mulroney
Actors:
Robert Downey Jr.
Jude Law
Noomi Rapace
Jared Harris
Stephen Fry
Kelly Reilly
Rachel McAdams
Music by:
Hans Zimmer
Cinematography:
Philippe Rousselot
Editing by:
James Herbert
Distributed by:
Warner Bros. Pictures (Time Warner
Produced by:
Village Roadshow Pictures
Silver Pictures
The titles that appear are only The production and distributing companies' logos.
Warner Bros. Pictures is in serif font
Village Roadshow Pictures is in sans serif font.
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