Sherlock Argumentative Essay

The BBCs Sherlock has an extremely fanatical audience that enjoy the pace of the show as well as the clever dialogue. The co-writers of the television show, Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss have managed to stay true to the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book series but put a 21st century twist with their version which is enjoyed by all. In the final dramatic scene in the first ever episode of Sherlock (BBC, 2010) where it’s a showdown between Sherlock and the taxi driver who has been murdering people all over the city. Throughout this scenes is John Watson who frantically searches for Sherlock realising his friend is in great danger. Using this scene we discuss the language of film (OShaughnessy. & Staedler, 2012), observing the main elements
As they take their seats in the classroom, the establishing shot is a mid-shot of the characters but a long shot of the classroom which helps set that particular scene. There are moments in the scene where the camera pulls back almost as a way to relieve the viewers from the tension. While the lighting is bright when they enter the classroom, it slowly dims so the focus is always on the two characters emphasising the dramatic undertones of the scene. But the emphasis is the close ups on the characters. The scene is deliberately shot as a dialogue between to characters constantly switching from a close up on character to the other At first low angle shot on the taxi driver which portrays as being the dominating character as he is in charge of the scene but slowly as Sherlock pieces together the reasons for the taxi drivers murderous campaign, the angle is more eye level. Meanwhile during this intense meeting we cut to Watson with mid to long shots that are used as he is still looking for Sherlock in the school. There are close ups on his face showing his genuine concern for Sherlock the pace a lot faster than that in the dialogue scene of Sherlock and the Taxi driver. Within this scene it should be noted that continuity editing is apparent through shot reverse shot, eye line match, match on action, the 180 degree rule and the continuity of action sound and lighting. (OShaughnessy. & Staedler, 2012) Watson running around scenes are fast paced and the dialogue between the two characters seems a slower pace but both are the same type of pace as the duration between the shots do in deed decrease heightening the suspense within this scene. Because of this constant dialogue between the two characters the camera is constantly cutting from one character to another developing this rhythmic editing used with the constant back and forth banter between