Question: Assess how the sequence manages the bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods.
As we watch through this Sherlock short film, we can see multiple media techniques, including the following Four Key Technical Elements: Camera, Editing, Sound, and Mise-en-scene. We also get this bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods shown in several different ways throughout the film.
From the beginning of the film, we are introduced to a wide establishing shot in an isolated pool, this immediately creates a sense of suspense as the setting is very dark, and there is no one around. This automatically gives us this sense of a 'heavy' mood through how suspenseful the scene is.
The location also adds to this effect as it has been deliberately picked, according to how the storyline occurs. This location fits perfectly with how the villain has planned to kill sherlock, as this place is desolate and Far away from where any people may be surrounding. It is also a good place far enough for people to find sherlock if he had been "killed" adding to this to the effect of having a bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods.
Moving along, the scenes have been cut short and are constantly faded into black, along with Echoey, airy, and scary sound effects that follow through with the beat of the scenes fading. These sound effects have helped create a 'light' effect as it almost adds this 'light' effect to the 'heavy' mood, creating a bridge between the different moods as they are both being interchanged easily throughout the short film.
We then have an obstructed shot, as a big pillar is blocking our view, then as it fades to black, the next scene that we are faced with is a door squeaking open, and we are being received with darkness, this also creates suspense as the audience is left wondering who is entering through the door. The fading to black plays an effect on racking focus, drawing attention, and adding more suspense to the short film.
There is then a scene of sherlock walking into the area. In this scene, the way in which sherlock walks in is fastened and speed up, matching with the sound effect of a sort of 'machinery' wiring in the background. As we are slowly revealed to all the characters in the short film, we are introduced to Sherlock's friend Watson, who reveals himself wearing a jacket with a bomb inside it. Fading into an obstructed shot of our villain, half his face concealed by shadows, his eyebrows raised high, and his face low, almost hidden from full view. The dialogue of the villain playing throughout the whole film, from the very beginning, starting off by introducing himself, his voice varying in pitches as he goes from high to low and medium to high, playing a key role in demonstrating this bridged effect between these 'light' and 'heavy' moods.
In media terminology, this is called a Voiceover. We then go straight to the main scene, where we have a medium close up, over-shoulder shot of sherlock pointing the gun at the villain, as the villain is talking, his voice varying as he is getting angrier and angrier at sherlock and his persistence in investigating through this case, involving the villain. As it fades back into black again, we have a view of the villain leaving the premises, and as the scenes go on. The fading into black continues on faster and faster; it is almost as if it is a heartbeat, beating, creating tension as Sherlock can remove the bomb from Watson, but then is backfired by the villain's plan B.
As they are standing there with the lasers pointed at them, the villain returns more front-stage and is almost laughing at their loss, mocking them as he has tricked them into thinking that they will be able to get away as easily as they thought it would have been. Sherlock then turns around and confronts the villain with his own plan, and as the tension rises, the camera has an over-shoulder shot of Sherlock holding the gun again. Still, then this time focuses the camera zooms in on the gun and drains everything else around it out. To add to the tension, the camera then does a shot/Reverse shot between the villain and Sherlock, showing all their reactions towards the things taking place and showing the relationship between the Characters. As Sherlock moves the gun towards the bomb, the sound effects get louder and faster, creating this 'heavy' and intense mood, and the tension has risen right to the top.
As the film progresses, the tension is abruptly stopped by the diegetic sound of the villain's phone ringing from his pocket. Now again, creating this 'light' mood especially as all the tension and suspense has been abruptly stopped by this 'song.'
This is ironic, as the ringtone has none the less 'saved' Sherlock and Watson's life, and the song that was being played is called "staying alive." And as the villain is being called off to another duty, with a click of the villians finger, the gunmen's lasers are removed from Sherlock and Watson. The sound effect of them drawing away, easing off on the tension that was there and giving Sherlock and Watson a sense of relief, as they are "staying alive." Another clear example of this bridge between these 'light' and 'heavy' moods that have been consistently shown throughout this short film.
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