I could not find a link to the actual opening sequence of episode 3 in the BBC drama Sherlock, however I did find this link which actually encompasses the whole episode, I have highlighted in bold beside the link the time range of the opening sequence so when I analyse the clip you should be able to tell the opening sequence ends at 1:48 once the scene fades and the opening credits start playing. Please NOTE that this particular link will only play the video for one hour and will thus not play the full programme (unless the user is willing to wait an extra hour once the video stops playing) as the full programme plays for one and half hour.
Before any specific shots are shown, the clip begins with a black screen whilst very sophisticated, intriguing non-diegetic music is played in the background. This music is very similar to the title theme of the programme and thus resembles it well whilst also keeping the audience intrigued. The audience are then shown some text stating "Minsk, Belarus" obviously highlighting the setting in which the characters are in at this point in the programme. The camera then pans smoothly from a black screen thus revealing a very rundown prison at 0:05. The use of the camera pan creates a sense that the audience is peering over the scene similar to Lucky Number Slevin in the elevator scene.
The fact that this rundown prison is in Belarus already highlights the representation that Eastern European countries are very deprived and therefore very rough and unhygienic. As the camera pans across the prison the audience can see a long shot of Sherlock talking to a prisoner about his situation, shot/reverse shots are made during the conversation to reflect on the dialogue. It is clear that Sherlock and the prisoner are the only two people in the room combined with the prison being notably dark and damp creates the sense of dread and incomprehension towards the audience.
Sherlock is wearing very dark but equally sophisticated and erudite clothing; this is done to highlight Sherlock’s character as he is a very intelligent person but can also be dark and malicious at times but remains heroic and good in order to find injustice. The prisoner is wearing typical prison, orange overalls however the lighting on his clothes is very interesting as they are clearly in the dark thus emphasizing that the man is a very dark, probably sadistic character. As the two start exchanging dialogue there is a shot/reverse shot on both the two characters within two close-ups of the two characters.
From the dialogue it is clear that Sherlock has a very posh and deep accent whilst the prisoner has a typical cockney accent clearly showing that the working class are undermined by the upper class. The use of the prisoner having a working class accent also represents that the working class are the criminals in society whilst the upper class are the detectives. Throughout the conversation Sherlock consistently corrects the prisoner’s sentences showing how the upper class are clearly more intelligent than the working class. Eventually the prisoner becomes so agitated about Sherlock he starts violently hitting his hand on the table clearly showing again how the working class are very violent, earlier in the conversation it is made clear that the prisoner is in prison because he murdered his girlfriend showing mans empowerment of women but also reinforces how the working class people are clearly more horrifically violent.
From the lighting it is also notable that Sherlock is always shown with a brightly lit face whilst the prisoners face can be seen but is notably much darker than Sherlock’s showing how the working class are far more evil and sadistic whereas the upper class are much more calm and heroic. Sherlock finds out through the dialogue that the prisoner admits he stabbed his girlfriend repeatedly and thus leaves him in the prisoner where he is expected to be “hanged” as punishment, Sherlock clearly has a very prudish and cocky look on his face as he leaves, this clearly shows how the upper class has ‘won the argument’ over the working class.
Here is an image taken from the dialogue scene in which Sherlock and the prisoner are discussing the prisoner's situation. As you can see the room is incredibly dark thus creating a very dark and sinister atmosphere. The room is also very damp which resembles a very uncomfortable feel towards the audience.
As you can see here the prisoner is shown in very dark lighting therefore highlighting how the prisoner is very sadistic and sinister whilst Sherlock (shown below) is shown in very brightly lit lighting.
Sherlock here is clearly shown in brightly lit lighting which highlights how Sherlock is the heroic, heavenly character here whilst the prisoner is very evil and sadistic. The window in the background corresponds with the window shown in the prisoner's still (shown above), here Sherlock's window is fully shown showing how he has a very clear, relaxed mind whilst the prisoner's mind is very cramped and claustrophobic.
No comments:
Post a Comment