YoungSherlockHolmes-AMES.ppt

yshTeaching

Young Sherlock Holmes

Teaching Young Sherlock HolmesHolmes and Detective Fiction

2. Young Sherlock Holmes -Production History

3. Category and Genre - generic hybrid; tone

4. Narrative - two narratives, plot and story, narrative structure

5. Language - mise en scene, cinematography, editing, sound

1. Holmes and Detective Fiction

17th C. growth of journalism - broadsheets would be rushed out after major crime or executionHolmes and Detective Fictionalthough writing about crime been going on a long time, genre really took off in 19th century

Detective fiction given boost by real life detective: Eugene Francois VidocqFormer criminal, became police informer, finally policeman

Founded the Sret - first professional police force in FranceGerard Depardieu as VidocqHolmes and Detective Fiction

Innovator - card-index records; introduced police to ballistics

Master of disguise (as is Holmes) and surveillance

Set up first private detective agency

Published his (unreliable) memoirs which influenced subsequent crime fictionHolmes and Detective Fiction

Edgar Allen Poe (1809-49), Poet and novelist

Drew on Vidocqs memoirs and created tales of ratiocination and brilliant detective Auguste Dupin (eg Murders in the Rue Morgue)Highly intelligent gentleman crime-solver, tackling crime police unable to solve Conan Doyle great admirer (even if Holmes not!)Holmes and Detective Fiction

Holmes and Detective FictionBorn Edinburgh 1859, studied medicine in Edinburgh University where he started writing

Holmes thought to be partly based on Professor Joseph Bell, known for his ability to observe patients and deduce facts about with amazing accuracy

First significant work, novel A Study in Scarlet

Wrote four novels and fifty-six Holmes short stories. All but four stories are narrated by Holmes's friend and biographer, Dr John H. Watson.

Grew tremendously in popularity when started to appear in Strand Magazine in 1891; further series of short stories and two serialised novels appeared until 1927.

Stories cover a period from around 1878 up to 1907, with final case in 1914.Holmes and Detective Fiction

Holmes and Detective FictionWhat Holmes shares with general corpus of detective fiction.

Detective story defined as a novel or short story in which a crime, usually a murder the identity of perpetrator unknown solved by a detective through a logical assembling and interpretation of palpable evidence, known as clues. *

Good detective story generally follows six unwritten rules :

* Hugh Holman A Handbook to Literature

Holmes and Detective FictionThe Good Detective Story

1 Crime must be significant, worthy of the attention it receives

2. Detective must be in some way a memorable character must be very intelligent, clever and observant. Should also stand out because of some individual style, eg eccentricity of dress or speech.

3. Must be an outstanding opponent, a criminal clever enough to be a match for the hero.

Holmes and Detective FictionThe Good Detective Story cont

4. Because large part of the attraction of genre is opportunity for the reader to try to figure out the solution along with the detective, all suspects must be introduced early.

5. All clues detective discovers must be made available to reader as well as detective.

6. Solution must seem obvious, logical, possible not result of accident or supernatural causes; and detective must be able to explain all aspects in reasonable way.

Holmes and Detective FictionUseful to get pupils to apply these rules to Holmes stories

Does it work for The Speckled Band?

Does it work for other Holmes stories?

Does it work for Young Sherlock Holmes?

Effective exercise

Repertoire of elements?

Term usually associated with film genres but can be applied to genre prose fiction

Perhaps can even say there is a Sherlock Holmes genreHolmes and Detective Fiction

Popular image of Holmes combination of Conan Doyle and number of illustrators, esp Sydney Paget in Strand Magazine. Holmes and Detective FictionStage adaptation anchored Holmes image in popular imagination where has remained

Holmes and Detective Fiction

The corpus of genre consists of works of Arthur Conan Doyle, ie the canon (Conan?)

But might also be said to consist of works emanating from canon to include

stage plays - particularly important in establishment of Holmes image in public imagination adaptations (film and TV) pastiche works graphic novels


Holmes Genre: Repertoire of Elements

Holmes props:Deerstalker, Inverness cloak, Meerschaum pipe, magnifying class, scientific instruments,

Catch-phrases:

The game is afoot;Elementary, my dear Watson (exact words not used in Conan Doyle) You look but you do not seeGenre

Holmes Genre: Repertoire of elements

Holmess use of disguise (eg A Scandal in Bohemia)

No interest in women (apart from Irene Adler)

Holmess powers of observation and deduction

eg in The Speckled Band - able to work out details of Helen Stoners journey that morning from a ticket and mud-splashes on her clothes

Genre

Holmes Genre: Repertoire of elements

Recurring characters:

Professor Moriarty - arch-nemesis Inspector Lestrade (wants Holmes help but tries to take credit) Baker Street Irregulars - street urchins who do odd jobs for Holmes (eg A Study in Scarlet) Brother MycroftGenre

Examples of adaptations

Basil Rathbone films of 1940s

Holmes and Detective FictionITV series with Jeremy Brett (1970s)

Tended to be reasonably faithful to original models though Rathbone films often switched settings to 1940 (eg wartime exploits against nazis)

Not just in English-speaking world:

Russian television produced adapations from 1979 - 1986with Vasily IvanovHolmes and Detective Fiction


"It is cocaine," he said, "a seven-per-cent solution. Would you care to try it? Holmes to Watson in The Sign of FourNicol Williamson as Sherlock Holmes, Robert Duvall as Watson, and Alan Arkin as Dr. Sigmund Freud. Laurence Olivier played the brief role of Professor Moriarty.Many films used Sherlock Holmes myth for newworks - either straight or pastiche or parodyThe Seven-Per-Cent Solution (d. Herbert Ross) based on novel by Nicholas Meyer. Pastiche of Sherlock Holmes adventure, focusing on Holmess drug addiction


Celebrated German director Billy Wilders The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1968) with Robert Stephens which speculated about Holmess ambiguous sexuality


.Latest example in post-production (WB)

Sherlock Holmes directed by Guy RitchieBased on Lionel Wigrams graphic novel (not published yet)Watson played by Jude Law

Holmes played by Robert Downie Junior


.Young Sherlock Holmes and Holmes Genre will be considered in Section 3

2.Young Sherlock Holmes Production History

2.Young Sherlock Holmes Production HistoryReleased USA 1985

Rleeased UK (as Young Sherlock Holmes and the Secret of the Pyramid) March 1986

Young Sherlock HolmesDirected by Barry Levinson (1942 - )

Films include:

Diner (1982)The Natural (1984) Good Morning,Vietnam (1987) Rain Man (1988) (Oscar for Best Director)Bugsy (1991)Wag the Dog (1997)Toys (1992),

Young Sherlock HolmesOriginal script by Chris Columbus (1958 - )

Films include:

Home Alone (1990) (director)Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone(2001) (producer-director) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002)(producer-director) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004) (producer)


Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

Amblin Entertainment

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)


Paramount PicturesOne of traditional Big Five Hollywood StudiosSubsequently involved in distribution and finance Rather than production


Amblin EntertainmentFounded in 1981 by Steven Spielberg and associates Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy.

Produces but does not distribute films


Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)Visual effects company that was founded in May 1975 by George Lucas and owned by Lucasfilm.

CGI in YSH impressive given the date of the film.

Supplied by George Lucass Industral Light and Magic company which developed the effects for films such as Star Wars.

YSH was the first film to use a CGI that actually interacted with the characters on screen.Young Sherlock Holmes

Language


Executive Producer suggests overseeing rather than hands-on role

Spielberg had just finished Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) (prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) )

Notable influence on Young Sherlock Holmessee section on genre

Modest box office (not much more than costs - c. $18 million)

But posthumous life on video/DVD


Certification

USA: PG-13

UK: PG

Could producers have toned down more frightening scenes (eg Elizabeth about o be mummified)?

Same problem with Indiana Jones films

3. Genre and Other Categorisations

GenreGenre most important aspect of film categorisation

Based on similarities in the narrative and other elements from which films constructed.

GenreFilms usually categorized in terms of genre according to their

setting: eg western

theme or topic or mood eg horror

audience eg teenpic, chickflick

protagonists occupation eg gangster

GenreIconography - repeated visual (and sound) motifs associated with a genreeg western - desert, rugged landscape, frontier town,horses, stagecoacheseg gothic horror - gloomy gothic castle, garlic, inn with locals crossing themselves at the name of the vampire

GenreIconography - repeated visual (and sound) motifs associated with a genreeg sci-fi - gleaming meallic surfaces, advanced technology, alienseg gangster - backstreet urban setting, bars and clubs (speakeasys), weapons, sharp clothes (for top brass)

Genres never pure, even in early cinemaEg singing cowboy films combined western + musical

generic hybrids

But became more common post 1970s

eg Blade Runner : scifi + film noir

eg Star Wars: scifi + action-adventure

eg Prizzis Honor : gangster + screwball comedyGenre

Young Sherlock Holmes a hybrid of different genres.

detective genre

action-adventure genre

Action-adventure itself a hybrid of action and adventureGenre

Action filmUsually include spectacle, high energy, physical stunts and chases, rescues, battles, fights, escapes, destructive crises (floods, explosions, natural disasters, fires, etc.), non-stop motion

Often two-dimensional heroes (goodies) battling villains (baddies) - all designed for pure audience escapism.

ActionDie-Hard filmsLethal WeaponExamples:

ActionOften combine with other generic elements such as police-procedural, espionage, wareg James Bond 'fantasy' spy/espionage series, martial arts films, and so-called blaxploitation films. The disaster film (eg Towering Inferno) might be classified as an action film

ActionClip Bond, James Bond/Holmes, Sherlock Holmes

AdventureConsiderable overlap in that adventure films also action films but usually have new experiences or exotic settings.

Can include traditional swashbucklers, serialised films, and historical spectacles, searches or expeditions for lost continents, "jungle" and "desert" epics, treasure hunts, disaster films, or searches for the unknown.

Adventure

eg

AdventureExotic locations usually mean some far-off country where things are different from what the audience is used to

Resolution usually involves large-scale action, buildings destroyed etc

Usually appeal to a younger demographic that straightforward action films

Action-Adventure

Most successful example of genre in recent yearsSignificant influence on Young Sherlock Holmes

Genre. Other main genre strand of Young Sherlock Holmes - detective film (often overlapping with suspense, thriller or mystery films)

Focus on the unsolved crime (often murder, theft, blackmail or disappearance of one or more of the characters, or a theft),

The detective film

Genre. Focus on central character - detective-hero (either a policeman or a private investigator) who faces various adventures and challenges in cold and methodical pursuit of the criminal or the solution to crimeThe detective film

GenrePlot often centers on the deductive ability, prowess, confidence, or diligence of the detective as he/she attempts to unravel the crime or situation by piecing together clues and circumstances, seeking evidence, interrogating witnesses, and tracking down a criminal.Detective

GenreDetective films emphasize the detective solving the crime through clues and exceptional rational powers.

Detective

GenreThe detective studies intriguing reasons and events leading to crime

eventually determines the identity of villain

a murderer, a master spy, an arch fiend, an unseen evil, or a malignant psychological force). Detective

GenreGenre has ranged from early mystery tales, fictional or literary detective stories, to classic Hitchcockian suspense-thrillers to classic private detective films and films noirs. Detective

The 39 Steps (1935)The Maltese Falcon (1941)Maigret voit rouge/Maigret Sees Red (1963)Marlowe (1969)

Genre - DetectiveKlute (1971) Death on the Nile (1978) Blade Runner (1982)Dick Tracy (1990)Lone Star (1996)

Some notable examplesMost based on detective novels

In addition to the action-adventure and the detective elements, other genres make an appearance in Young Sherlock Holmes

Romance - the Holmes-Elizabeth relationship

Public school genre eg Tom Browns Schooldays (1951)

Genre

Overlap between detective and action-adventure

detective genre put more emphasis on detection -

investigation (amassing of clues) forensics (using science to solve crimes) etc. logical deduction

Action-adventure emphasis on derring-doGenreDetective

YSH and detective genre

Holmes establishes link early on between dead menGenre

Using forensics (chemistry), able to find origin of material worn by hooded figure - leads to warehouse in docks area and discovery of Rame Tep templeGenreYSH and detective genre

Intuition as well as deduction from evidence

- cut on face reminds him of ring with Rame Tep symbol worn by Rathe) - leads him to identity of villain

ClipGenreYSH and detective genre

GenreYSH and detective genre

YSH and detective genre

In detective genre, resolution (see section on Narrative) through deduction

Resolution to narrative not discovery of the criminals (who done it?) but confrontation with cult and final duel with Rathe EhTar

ie through action

ClipGenre

Exotic locale a feature of action-adventure

However, in Young Sherlock Holmes exotic is found close to home: the Rame Tep temple in . . . Wapping, East London

Setting is exoticised

Genre

Mise en scene - chanting sect members with shaven heads and eastern dress; torches, animal heads etc

(Will be developed further in Language section)

ClipGenre

Final battle brings down whole temple

Holmes saved at last minute by Watsons ingenuity

Final confrontation with Rathe

Resolution of YSHs narrative therefore more typical action-adventure than detective

Genre

In detective genre, sometimes violence but minor key. Action-adventure however tends to ends with large-scale set-piece

Compare climactic scene in Young Sherlock Homes with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

clipGenre

Clips from Indiana Jones and from Young Sherlock Holmes

How are the repertoire of elements deployed in Young Sherlock Holmes?

Props:

Deerstalker, Inverness cape and Meerschaum pipeHolmes Genre

Holmes GenreCharacters

Lestrade shown as a younger detective - later (in theConan Doyle canon) brings in Holmes to help - and tries to claim the claim credit - as Lestrade does in YSH

Mycroft Holmes referenced - when Holmes is expelled

Holmes Genre Catch-phrases: Elementary, my dear Watson

Waxflatter says, Elementary, my dear Holmes

The game is afoot!Holmes says for first time when he is solving the mystery of the missing trophy

You look but you do not seeYoung Holmes says to young Watson

Repertoire of elements

Holmes Genre: Repertoire of Elements

Narrative: 3-part structure

case brought to Holmess attentionHolmes investigates Holmes unmasks culprit.

First person narration (by Watson), including coda where Watson asks Holmes to explain how he arrived at conclusions

Genre

Watson narration an important feature of stories: in Young Sherlock Holmes, this done by (older) Watsons voiceovers - Watson voiceover used throughout film for comment and exposition

Narrative coda (explanation of how Holmes arrived at conclusions) done with a mixture of dialogue and voiceover

ClipHolmes Genre

Holmes GenreUseful exercise when watching film

Get pupils to make a brief note when element from the repertoire makes an appearance (more able)

Or provide a list and ask pupils to tick off as they watch film (less able)

Excitement - flying machine heading for WappingCLIP

Suspense - will Elizabeth be mummified?

Romance - Holmes and Elizabeth (tragic romance - as Elisabeth dies)

Other Categories: Tone

Waxflatters attempts to get machine to fly

- ends in failure each timeAlmost a running gag (ie a joke, situation or line that is repeated several times, each time the comedy being reinforced by memory of the previous occurrence)

ClipCategories: ToneComedy

Comedy

Graveyard scene - food attacking Watson

Example of tonal shift ie, sudden change in tone in this case from excitement/suspense to (almost slapstick) comedy

Does it work? Does the comedy detract from the suspense?

CLIPCategories: Tone

The two narratives

Plot and story

Narrative Structure (Todorov)

Narrative Closure

Other aspects of narrative

4. Narrative

Two narratives2. NarrativeRAME TEP narrative:

Murder of Bobster, Rev. Duncan Nesbit, WaxflatterSCHOOL narrative:

lessons, rivalries, romance etc

Two narratives

However, connections made between two narratives

Mysterious visitor (we learn later is Cragwitch, one of group being targeted by sect)

Mysterious hooded figure with jangling bracelet - appears in school library and school groundsNarrative

At first kept (more or less) separate and merged into one after Waxflatters death and Holmess (subversive) return to Brompton

Preceded by Watsons v/o about Holmess triumph in his bet with Dudley:

Clip

Narrative: two narratives

Plot and storyNarrativeStory = all the events we see and hear, plus all those we infer or assume to have occurred, arranged in chronological order,

Plot =the way these events presented to the audience.

In plot, story elements might be in completely different order

Plot and storyNarrativeSTORYInferredeventsExplicitly presented eventsAdded nondiegeticmaterialPLOT

Plot and storyNarrativeA murder has been committed. That is, we know the effect but not the causes - the killer, the motive, perhaps also the method. The mystery tale depends strongly on curiosity, our desire to know events that have occurred before the plot action begins. It is the detective's job to disclose, at the end, the missing causes-to name the killer, explain the motive, and reveal the method.

That is, in the detective film the climax of the plot line (the action that we see) is a revelation of prior incidents in the story (events which we do not see) from Film Art (Bordwell & Thomson)

Plot and storyNarrativecrime conceivedCrime plannedcrime committedCrime discoveredDetective investigatesDetective reveals a, b and c

STORYPLOTBordwell &Thomson, Film Art p67

Plot and storyNarrative(a) Egyptian village burned down and protesting villagers killed by army protecting group of investors who desecrated sacred site.

(b) Rame Tep sect swear revenge - send (Anglo-Egyptian) Eh Tar to England to seek revenge.When they grow up, he and sister employed at Bromton (where Waxflatter - one of investors - based).

(c) Attacks on members of investors group leading to deaths.

(d) Holmes suspicious about suicides - investigates - discovers sect, tracks down to their temple.

(e) locates Cragwitch (mysterious visitor to Waxflatter); discovers the story behind sect and their revenge.

(f) discovers Rathes role; causes temple to burn down. Defeats Rathe/Ethar but Elisabeth killedPLOTSTORY

Narrative structure: Todorov model

Most common narrative structure in mainstream texts as analysed by Todorov

1 Equilibrium (state of normality)2 Disruption - event that kicks off narrative3 Resolution - moment when conflicting forces fight key battle4 Return to equilibrium - new state of normalityNarrative

Narrative structure: Todorov modelNarrativeWatson arrives at Brompton, meets Holmes; normal life of the school (lessons, rivalry, romance, etcEquilibrium

Disruption

Attacks on members of the group leading to deaths

Frequently, disruption is intimated before equilibrium has chance to be established so film opens with attack on and death of the banker Bobster Narrative

Resolution

Climax in Rame Tep temple in Wapping - destruction of temple, Holmes defeats Rathe/Eh Tar; Elizabeth killed

Narrative

Return to Equilibrium

Rame Tep defeated

Holmess life without Elizabeth

Vows never to marry

Leaves BromtonNarrative

Individual narratives within the overarching narrative

Eg Watson has his own narrative and own new equilibrium

Narrative

[Make a montage of w at start and w at end]

Narrative

Narrative closureTying up of loose ends, bringing narrative to clear conclusionTraditional in mainstream films but left open for sequel potentialCf Watsons final voice-over:.. I was ready for whatever mystery or danger that lay ahead. I was ready to take on the greatest and most exciting adventure of them all and I knew it was bound to involve Sherlock HolmesNarrative

Narrative closure - also post-credit endingRathe/Eh Tar manages to survive - and become the arch nemesis of adult Holmes-Professor Moriarty, the Napoleon of crimeNarrative

Other aspect of narrative: repetition and parallels help structure the narrativeNarrativeThe rule of threeCertain events in the film occur three times, usually with an important variation each time

Three fencing duels with Rathe/Eh Tar

Three attempts to fly machine

Three confrontations with LestradeNarrativeThe rule of three

Three fencing duels with Rathe/Eh Tar

First time Holmes loses - Rathe teaches him about the need not to let emotions interfere

Second time their match is declared a draw as Holmes was distracted by sunlight reflected on Rathes ring.

Third time Holmes is victoriousNarrativeThe rule of three

Three attempts to launch Waxflatters flying machine (ie onscreen attempts - preceded by six others!)

The first two end in failure but Holmes successful the third time - able to follow Rathe, who is driving coach and horses with Elizabeth tied up, back to Rame Tep temple in Wapping

Cf Slide 50NarrativeThe rule of three

Three times Lestrade dismisses Holmess suspicions about the case.

1. When Holmes suggests there is a connection between the victims of the attacks (29.12)

2. When Waxflatters dying words to Holmes make Holmes realise Waxflatters death is connected with the others. Lestrade will have none of it. (38.49)

3. When they are taken to Scotland Yard after graveyard fracas where Lestrade refuses to have thorns analysed and throws them out. However, a thorn pierces Lestrades hand which will have consequences later. (1.01 53) Narrative The rule of three

Three (apparent) suicides

Bentley Bobster

Rev. Duncan Nesbit

Professor Waxflatter

NarrativeThe rule of three

Narrative Parallels

Watson arriving at Bromton by coach at the startHolmes leaving Bromton by coach by the endA number of parallels also structure the film and make it hang together:CLIP

Narrative Parallels

Holmes is leaving Bromton, having been expelled. As he leaves, Elizabeth writes I LOVE YOU on the window paneHolmes is leaving Bromton at the end. Holmes looks up at the same windowbut Elizabeth is dead

Narrative Parallels

Narrative Parallels

Holmes solves the case of the missing trophy in the first half of the film

Holmes solves the case of the mystery suicides and the Rame Tep cult in the second half of the film

Foreshadowing

Mise en scene Cinematography

Editing Sound5. Language

Mise en scene - setting, props, lighting, blocking etc

Cinematography - camera angle, camera distance, camera movement; framing

Editing - pace and rhythm of editing; transitions

Sound - diegetic and non-diegeticparticularly music: Bruce Broughams score structured in leitmotifs - particular themes for characters, locations and situations)Language

- kind of clothing, transport, decoration etc tells us we are in the nineteenth century. Language - mise en sceneMise en scene - important in historical film to create a convincing diegesis (story world)

The mise en scene of Brompton - wooden panels, gothic architectureLanguage - mise en scene

Within Bromton, mise en scene in Waxflatters quarters suggests something very scientific

not twentieth century scientific with white lab coats and shiny surfaces, but nineteenth century scientific, with tubes and jars and exotic-looking early scientific instruments. (cf Frankenstein)

Language - mise en scene

Contrast with Bromton mise en scene in the Egyptian tavern, with its oriental atmosphere created by characters clothing, musical instruments etc. Language - mise en scene

Contrast even more pronounced between church where the priest receives the poison dart and Rame Tep temple

Mise en scene of the church very traditionally English (or Western European)


Church contrasts with the mise en scene in the Rame Tep temple

connotes ancient Egyptian, with the sarcophagus, the candlelit chandeliers, the pillars, carvings, costumes (and haircuts) of the sect members and priest

Mise en scene essential for essential exoticism of Rame Tep, essential for action-adventure aspect of generic hybrid ClipsLanguage - mise en scene21.31 - 22.00 diss to 54.45 - 55.15

Language

Mise en scene - lighting and shadow

Hooded figure effectively portrayed by use of light and shadow - combined with other elements such as music

CLIPLanguage - mise en scene

LanguageCinematography - camera angle

Film follows traditional practice of using low camera angle to connote power or nobility and high camera angle to connote vulnerability

Holmess winning Dudleys challenge (to find school trophy) confidence indicated by low-angled shots as he takes up challenge (23.49)

The game is afoot!

Language - Cinematography

Language - CinematographyCinematography - camera angle

Later, as he walks towards common room even if time almost run out. (26.31). Soon after, more extreme low angle at his moment of triumph where the whole school cheering for him. (27.23)

Language

Language - CinematographyAnother extremely low angle used when becoming clear that Rathe is a villain. After Elizabeths fight with Mrs Dribb, Rathe comes into the room, Elizabeth appeals to him and he replies, So, my dear, you have discovered our little secret (1.15.13)

Cinematography - camera angle

Language - CinematographyCinematography - camera angle

Language - CinematographyCinematography - framing:dutch angle - use of canted frame to indicate that not all is right with the world:

a cinematic tactic often used to portray the psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being filmed.

A Dutch angle is achieved by tilting the camera off to the side so that the shot is composed with the horizon at an angle to the bottom of the frame

Language - CinematographyDutch angle 1 - occurs in pre-title sequence involving Bobster (a banker, one of the group of investors targeted by the Rame Tep cult)

Very marked dutch angle indicates extreme psychological state which makes him, a short time later, jump out of a building to his death

Language - Cinematography

Language - CinematographyDutch angle 2 - Used during Rathe and Holmess friendly duel before Holmes due to leave Brompton after being expelled.

Perhaps dutch angle suggests that things not always as they seem and foreshadow Rathes real identity

Language

LanguageEditing

Two aspects:

TRANSITIONS RHYTHM

Language: EditingRhythm one of the essential features of film - decisively contributes to mood and overall impression on the spectator.

Rhythm of editing - change in rate of cutting (ie moving from longer takes to shorter takes when need for more action, energy)

Language: EditingTransitions

Refers to how editing joins two film clips

Vast majority of transitions are cuts - we tend not to perceive them except in being aware of rate of editing etc

Language: EditingTransitions

Other main transitions:

Fade (in/out)

Dissolve

- Less common:

wipe iris

Language: Editing - TransitionsFade (in/out)

Traditionally, films use fades to begin the film (fade-in or fade from black) or to end it (fade-out or fade to black)

Within film, fade used to separate parts of film (like chapters in a novel) and usually means some time has elapsed

Language: Editing - TransitionsFade and Dissolves

Note from clip from Vertigo (Hitchcock 1961)Starts with fade, punctuates shorter scenes with dissolves (usually indicating time has passed and/or change of place)

Ends with fade out, indicating a longer pause, almost like chapter marker in book

Clip

Language: Editing - TransitionsFade (in/out)

YSH uses fade-in/fade out to begin film and first post-credit sequence.

However, does not fade out at end: surprise post-credit scene revealing Rathe/Eh Tar has survived and is Moriarty (Holmess nemesis) doesnt fade to black but cuts to black - reinforcing shockClip

Language: Editing - TransitionsHowever, fades less common in recent times and Young Sherlock Holmes has very few fades or dissolves - favouring instead (abrupt) cuts to shift from one scene/sequence to another - perhaps a way of imbuing film with greaterenergy

In this sequence we go from street to curio shop to street to Egyptian tavern to Bromton library using only cuts

Clip

Language: Editing - TransitionsDissolve:

Transition between two shots during which the first image gradually disappears while the second image gradually appears; for a moment the two images blend in superimposition.

Used as an alternative to a fade in/out, often used to suggest short time lapse (eg someone entering building - series of dissolves links various locations, cutting out dead time)

Can also be used to go from waking state to dream state, or from present to flash-back

Language: Editing - Transitions

Like fade-in/fade out, dissolves in YSL are used sparingly, usually to indicate a (short) shiftin time and space

Here, we dissolve from the hooded figure climbing over the wall of the school grounds (returning after being chased by Elizabeths dog) to inside the church where she is going next

Clip


Wipe: transition between shots in which a line passes across screen, eliminating the first shot as it goes and replacing it with the next one.

Mostly these horizontal (left to right or right to Left); occasionally from both ends towards centre;

Sometimes wipe goes diagonally across screen.


Wipe very noticeable and dynamic transition

Often suggest a brief temporal ellipsis and direct connection between the two images

Usually employed in action or adventure (or action-adventure) films.

eg Star Wars (despite its setting etc, can be seen as much action-adventure as scifi)


WipesYoung Sherlock Holmes uses on a few occasions, particularly in the second half where action-adventure becomes more dominant genre

First example a diagonal wipeNext one a vertical wipe but coming from both ends of frame

Clips

Language: Editing

. Cross-cutting or parallel editing

Editing that alternates shots of two or more lines of action occurring in different places, usually simultaneously.

Two actions are therefore linked, associating the characters from both lines of action.

Clip

Language: Sound

. Two broad categorisations of sound in film:

diegetic sound - sound coming directly from story (if characters can hear it is diegetic sound) non-diegetic sound - sound added to create atmosphere, anchor a particular mood etc (characters cannot hear non-diegetic sound)

Young Sherlock Holmes employs both;

Language: Sound

Diegetic

. Most significant diegetic sound - tinkle from bracelet of hooded figure (actually Mrs Dribbs)

Becomes a sort of leitmotif, alerting us to her presence imminence of a deadly attack eg in outside restaurant at start of film

Clip

Language: Sound

. Distinction between diegetic/non-diegetic usually fairly straightforward but Young Sherlock Holmes also used internal diegetic sound

ie sound that comes from the story but only one character can hear because it activated by memory - ie sounds that actually happened within the story (even if decades before!)

Language: Sound

.

Cragwitch remembers the burning of the Egyptian village, the bullets, the explosions, the screams

However, it is not audible by other characters and operates in a similar way to non-diegetic sound - ie to create an atmosphere

Clip

Language: Sound

. Music in YSH

Main aspect of non-diegetic sound: music

Bruce Broughams score organised in leitmotifs relating to character and situation

'Main Title - opens with lively flute melody acts as recurring leitmotif for Holmes throughout the score, characterising his lust for adventure, indomitable spirit and inquisitive mind.

Sound

. Main theme very adaptable. By adding simple orchestral effects, or by a change in instrumentation, Broughton able to make his central melody convey multiple moods -

youthfully ebullient strings of 'Fencing Lesson

playful multiple settings of 'Solving the Crime

spine-tingling heroism of 'It's Rathe!' - theme is re-orchestrated to act as an action fanfare.

Sound

. 'Secret Ceremony' - large choral ostinato (continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm) that appears during Rame Tep ceremony

Cf Orff's Carmina Burana; John Williams' thuggee music from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom -deep and sinister connoting sects murderous intent

Sound

. Leitmotif cleverly carried over into the following two cues, 'Chase/Crypt/Pastries/You're A Hallucination

- Holmes and Watson are pursued into a graveyard by cult's shaven-headed devotees

Sound

. 'India/The Letterhead', as Holmes finally realises the identity of the RameTep's high priest is Rathe

Sound

. Other important musical themes:

"flying" theme heard during 'Waxflatter's First Flight' and 'Another Failed Flight

- depicting ill-fated efforts of the eccentric professor to take to the air.

Sound

. Romantic motif for Holmes and Elizabeth 'Library Love', 'Elizabeth in the Courtyard' and 'Love Theme'

- depicts nature of their relationship: chaste and honourable, full of tenderness.

Orchestrated more tragically for Elizabeths death scene

. Teaching Young Sherlock Holmes

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www.desmurphy.com

YoungSherlockHolmes-AMES.ppt

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Transcript of YoungSherlockHolmes-AMES.ppt