Low Angle Shot

This is an example of a shot from a camera positioned low on the vertical axis. This consists of anywhere below the eyeline, looking up. Like Worm's Eye View, this shot is popular in being used for the 'big, strong and superior' effect.

Worm's Eye View

This is a shot from below the subject, usually used to make a character or object seem superior, powerful or strong, and anyone else small and not important, clearly thats not the case in this example... However the young girl in this clip appears to have control over the situation and is almost the decision maker of what happens next.

Aerial Shot

Aerial shots are easily recognised as they are the only type of camera movement that is taken from a plane or helicopter for extreme height and establishment of a landscape making any characters seem insignificant. However it is a variation of a crane shot.

Reverse Tracking Shot

Also known as Dolly Zoom, this shot is a special effect that is used to unsettle its audience. The camera moves away from the object but zooms in at the same time, making the background appear to be changing size while the object remains the same.

Whip Pan

A Whip Pan is a type of Panning Shot in which the camera moves from side to side however is done to fast it blurs. This type of shot is commonly used as a transition between shots or even scenes.

Tracking Shot

The camera itself moves forwards or backwards, in or away from the subject. The shot is called a Tracking Shot because the camera is often run along a small track. In this particular example, the effect the use of camera movement has on the audience is to feel connected to the woman being watched and followed.

Wide Panning Shot

This example of a Panning Shot shows the horizontal pivoting or rotation of the Camera from one side to the other to show a larger area of the subject, in this case, the beach. The camera does not move apart from left to right, and often remains very still as the camera is on a tripod, however hand held panning shots are also used. The panning technique is used to suggest fast motion, and bring out the subject from other elements in the frame, as well as showing the surroundings or background.

Representations work - Secret and Lies

The clip opens with an establishing shot of “Maurice Purley Photography” (shop) with cars passing by, accompanied by music. The cars look old fashioned and dated which could represent the time in which it was set. Following this, is a medium long shot of a family of 4 including the grandmother, father, mother and son. Who we presume is the photographer, judging by his actions, appears in the shot for 14 seconds and then exits the frame however we can still hear his voice (off-screen diegetic sound). The costuming of the family suits both their age and gender, for example, the teenage boy is wearing a casual t-shirt and navy blue bottoms. In the background, there are no props apart from the newspaper which leaves with the photographer. There is also no scenery, just a backdrop for the photo which is made up of dark colours, smudged together to give a cloudy, muffled effect. The mother is in the centre of the frame, and appears to be the most important character. Body language of the father and son suggests he does not want to be there. Facial expressions of the mother and grandmother on the other hand shows they have probably organised/ planned the family photo. The lighting in this shot is low key, as the flash of the camera supplies the light. The sound is diegetic for the duration of the clip. Accents portray the family’s ethnic background (being British).    

In this clip there is only one individual however you can here the photographer. Judging by his costume (or lack of it), we presume he is a boxer. As far as make-up is concerned, it appears he has some means of this on his face and body to make him look wet and shiny as a boxer would be during or shortly after a fight. The body language almost contradicts itself as he is laughing with the photographer yet posing in a way to seem aggressive and strong, this is also shown through his facial expressions. The lighting in the clip reflects off his body adding to his ‘sweaty and toned’ appearance. The colours of the mans shorts and gloves, red, black and white, could be seen to represent the colours of the English flag as well as symbolising competitiveness. This clip shows a typical stereotype of someone involved in sport.    

The clip opens with the photographer questioning and conversing with the lady in the shot. She is dressed as a nurse in a blue and white dress with a white hat to match this. There is one prop present, an antique wooden chair. The women of orient decent, appears to be miserable, this is portrayed through her facial expressions as well as her body language seeming fake or put on. This is also stereotypical of working class people. The hair and make-up of the women is very minimal and ordinary. We assume from observing the mise-en-scene that she possibly represents a nurse during the Vietnam war which would explain her sad conveys.

 This clip is of a mother holding a fairly new born baby. The backdrop has now changed to a plain white screen and the mother is dressed in a simple white dress which creates a heaven like piece of imagery, the baby representing angelic innocence and purity as they are bare naked and celebrating the start of a new life and generation.

 

The final clip opens with five smartly dressed men, in suits and ties, representing their status, expertise and level of authority or importance. Four of the men are standing, while one man is sitting in a chair in the center of the frame. The slightly elder man who is seated is dressed in a three-piece suit, where as the others are wearing only suit jackets and trousers, this could suggest he is of a higher importance. The body language of the men makes them appear successful and professional this is because they are standing up straight which makes them look proud of what they have achieved as well as their happy facial expressions. The voice over is the photographer speaking and any other sound present is non-digetic. Again, the lighting is low key. The colour of the backdrop is dark, and the men’s suits are also dark which makes them blend in, however their white shirts and pale skin makes them stand out. The men in suits are stereotypical of working class English men, in the 1920’s.

Sherlock Holmes Film Review

Director: Guy Ritchie, previous director of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch, which was released in 2000.

Release date: 25th December 2009 (US). Avatar (Box Office), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs was also released in this year.

Writers: Michael Robert Johnson and Anthony Peckham

Studio:  Filmed in numerous places including; Freemasons’ Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Leavesden Studios.

                Just from looking at the DVD case of Sherlock Holmes, I almost immediately decided I wasn’t to like it. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself thoroughly enjoying it even after just the first couple of minutes. Although neither Action, Crime or Suspense, being the genres of the film, are of any particular interest to me; alongside the fascinating character Robert Downey Jr helps us, as an audience, to connect with so well; the mise-en-scene and general story line, together created a different, addictive mystery film which I am sure would appeal to a wide range of age groups.

                I specifically concentrated on the camera work and editing as asked, and noticed many examples of suspense and tension being created through this. For instance, all things associated with evil, death and all things negative, were used to enhance the audiences reaction and fear, such as dark, dim lighting accompanied by chilling music for the effect of eeriness. I also noticed how a black crow would appear, in close up, whenever the villain (Blackwood) was near or being spoken about, this relates to the idea of symbolism. I thought the way the main characters were introduced, established and developed was quite intelligent for illustration; the disorder and clutter of Holmes’ studio almost represented his thoughts.           

                The ending of the film half lead the audience to believe there would be a Sherlock Holmes 2, but not stating this, just leaving it open for personal interpretation.