Welcome to AS Media Studies.
We're kicking off with an analysis project, as follows below.
You may use the Sherlock clip in this post for our task.
Watch the extract several times and assess how the sequence manages the bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods. (Focus particularly on finding the main / initial shift in tone)
By now we've produced a storyboard of the precise transition section - the last shot of the first sequence and the first shot of the second. If we haven't already done so, finish your written notes on how the mood is set up in each case by the following micro elements:
- Camera: shots, angles, movement, composition.
- Editing: within each section and crucially, between them, to make the 'bridge'.
- Sound: dialogue, music, effects, atmospheric establishing sound, diegetic v non-diegetic contrasts.
- Mise-en-Scene: how is this different for the two contrasting storylines; how is mood and atmosphere created in each case through lighting, colour, performance and other aspects?
Remember that your notes need not be exhaustive; for example, you would only record types of camera shots and their resulting effects, rather than the number of times each shot type is used and their corresponding timecodes in the extract.
Finally, use your notes to write a short response about how the technical elements combine to construct mood and tone. Responses should be one full side in length, so you will very likely not be able to cram in everything you've observed. Select your best material for the task.
Let me know if you have any questions. Have fun!
- T. Marcus
