Fun

1. Sherlock – Power and Hierarchy
Mark Pawluk, Sam Peace, Alex
Rayner

2. Confronting Moriaty

3. Camera

4. Medium Close-up
This is a medium close-up of Sherlock
when he confronts Moriarty, similarly its
also a medium close-up of Moriarty
when he also meets with Sherlock. This
comparison of shots put them at the
same level of hierarchy.
This is of the ideology of the directory, by
putting a sociopath (Sherlock) and a
psychopath (Moriarty) on equal terms
not allowing for any social power
differences.

5. Camera and Lens Movement

6. Intensity
There is a camera zoom in on Moriarty,
this is used to intensify his presents in
this scene, by doing this is creates a
dominance over the two characters
(Moriarty and Sherlock).
Much like the zoom in of Moriarty, there
is a track in on Sherlock, this helps cancel
out the dominance set by Moriarty and
puts them two on equal terms. Again,
this proves that their isn't any hierarchy
between these two; a sociopath and a
psychopath.

7. Sound and Editing

8. Editing
• Medium length takes for when the character is talking-
Never changes all the way to the end when Moriarty comes
back and there are guns pointed on Watson and Sherlock.
This shows tension between the two characters as both are
trying to establish a superior advantage over the other. In a
way it creates quite an oddly positive representation of the
two characters because they are seen to be higher than
Watson. Considering both ‘Sociopathy’ and Psychopathy
are considered mental disabilities it goes against the
normal stereotype of disabled people to be considered as
lesser than people without. in this way a sense of ideology
is created to do with the super cripple theory, while the
two don’t have superpowers it is clear that they are
superior to ‘average’ people.

9. Editing
• When Moriarty leaves The take lengths shift from medium
length takes to long takes. This signifies that the struggle for
power has ceased because it is just Sherlock and Watson
left, Sherlock has no threat any longer because the only
person who opposes him has left. The long takes represent
the cease of the struggle because it allows Sherlock to relax
and thus so does the length of the shot. This also reflects
on the sociopathic ideology of narcissism, now that
Moriarty is gone Sherlock relaxes as he believes that
Watson is no threat, whether it is a physical or intellectual
threat he doesn’t see Watson as either. This Continues the
Stereotype that Sociopaths believe themselves to be better
than the ‘ordinary’ person, placing Sherlock at the top of
the social hierarchy.

10. Sound (Tone)
• Sherlock's voice is always fairly calm but certainly authoritive, he
speaks with a harsh tone but never raises his pitch. This could be
due to Sociopathic tendencies in which everything has to be in his
control and needs to be planned and organised. Moriarty shows off
his method of control and tendencies by his voice and tone. He isn’t
as monotone as Sherlock and goes fairly high pitch when he says
“no you won’t” to Sherlock. He seems to be having fun in this
situation and clearly shows a will to convey his dominance by fear.
Having a use for different tones shows an unpredictable side which
again shows his tendencies. This creates an especially negative
image for Moriarty but not so much Sherlock. The reason for this is
because it shows lack of caring for Psychopaths and as they are
linked to evil anyway it helps with not caring for others. Typically it
furthers a mediation between psychopaths and ‘normal’ people as
it conveys psychopaths to be dangerous.

11. Sound (Dialogue)
• Moriarty attempts to gain a position above Sherlock
in terms of power hierarchy. He does this when he
says “Kill you? No don’t be obvious. I mean I’m
gonna kill you anyway someday, don’t want to rush
it though”. This shows that Moriarty thinks of
himself to be above Sherlock and it creates a
negative image. This is because he is shown here to
be a little bit narcissistic which is looked down upon
in society. This fits the stereotype that psychopaths
have to be in control and need things to go a certain
way for them to get the benefit, thus furthering the
negative representation.

12. Sound (Non-digetic)
• The music that you here in the background is in a minor key, this is
used to create an eerie sense of tension as the two struggle for
dominance. Use of music techniques are efficient in creating an
eerie feel. This shows that the two aren’t really normal and would
be music used at the start of a confrontation between two
characters are the pre-dawning of a fight. This creates an odd sense
of desperation as the footage shows that the ‘fate of the world’
rests upon the outcome of these two. This creates a positive and a
negative representation. Positive because these two have a crucial
impact on the average people but a negative one because there is
violence involved. This goes against the stereotype of disabled
people being not able to do anything because here we see the
complete opposite. The music is the driving force behind the
tension created which in turn creates a sense of urgency for the
good guy ( Sherlock ) to be the more dominant figure.

13. • Shots take the same time as speech, equals.
• Sherlock speaks calmly to show authority but
Moriaty speaks quite casual, coloquial speech,
shows no fear.
• Moriaty uses different tones of voice for
emphasis while Sherlock dosen’t
Editing and sound

14. Editing
Medium length takes between Moriarty and
Sherlock speaking shows a balance in power as
it’s not fast paced action and despite the
circumstances.

15. Mise-en-Scene

16. The use of the hand gun is present throughout the whole of the
extract and is a common choice of weapon by Sherlock throughout the
whole of the franchise.
A gun is commonly associated with protection and defence
yet also used for dominating purposes and attacks. In this
case, the gun is held by Sherlock, (grasped by two hands to
show secureness and determination) and is aimed directly
at Moriarty from almost a point Blanc range, which
therefore shows Sherlock has the power to kill this man
instantly and hold his life in his hands.
Moriarty obtains a stance very relaxed and
calm; considering he is most venerable of
the two and has a gun to his face; it’s
almost un-natural and therefore represents
his Psychotic attributes, both a positive and
negative portrayal.
His characteristics also contrast against
Sherlock’s, who although in control, seems to be
the less stable due to his facial expressions and
small movements. This therefore represents
Moriarty as the more dominant one. In this case,
Sherlock is almost hiding behind the gun.

17. Another prop used in this extract is the use of the bomb jacket. Un-
willingly worn by Watson, it’s immediately removed by Sherlock as
soon as Moriarty exists. Proving that this jacket has some relation to
Moriarty and increasing his dominance over these two men, instantly.
The relief on Watsons face as Sherlock removes the jacket shows how much power it had
over him and how reassured he is due to Sherlock’s actions, supporting the
representation of Moriarty as the more dominant one of the three. As soon as it’s
removed, the jacket is flung across the floor by Sherlock in an urgent manner, showing
the danger and importance of this prop. Also representing Sherlock to be the more
significant one of him and Watson in the light that he is Watson’s superior. Watson’s
inferiority though is inevitability, due to this whole collection being based on the fictional
character by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

18. The use of this setting helps to place the situation in a more modern era, instead
of the more common Victorian environment we see in the remade films. A
swimming pool is commonly associated with leisure and family, two very
contrasting themes against the situation at hand. The water produces a subtle
reflection onto Moriarty’s face, which helps to convey