Trailer Analysis - Sherlock Holmes

The Sherlock Holmes trailer is around 2.5 minutes long the trailer starts of with a soundbridge of Lord Blackwood asking for Sherlock this immediately gets you hooked because you now know that something that will change the film is about to be said and or happen.Most of the dialogue in the trailer is either diegetic or sound bridged one of the only non diegetic pieces of dialogue used is “It does make a considerable difference to me having someone with me of whom I can thoroughly rely on” this phrase is introducing Mr Holmes’ partner Dr John H Watson. The storyline develops through the trailer it starts with Lord Blackwood asking for Sherlock Holmes then soon after there is a lot of action scenes followed with a Police Constable quoting a witness who said they saw Lord Blackwood from his grave.The storyline is evidently going to have a lot of action and mystery this is shown by Lord Blackwood’s quote “You underestimate the gravity of coming events”.

The composition of shots in this trailer is very cleverly constructed so as to mirror the pace of the film. The start of the trailer is pieced together in a way which makes it clear to the audience the genre of the film as soon as the trailer begins. The music played in the background from the start adds to the effect of the transition from blank screen to the opening shot. It is eerie and unsettling and the deep voice which is played in the voice over takes you by surprise. As soon as the words "Sherlock Holmes" are spoken everyone is instantly aware of what they are watching as this is a well-known name.

The composition of flash shots which follow are designed to make the audience jumpy and excited as they have heard a name they recognise and now need to be impressed. the quick beats Incorporated into the continuing background music match the flashes in the shot transitions and add to the overall effect. To start with the lighting is dim and creepy, adding to the atmosphere and putting the audience on edge. However as the film progresses it lightens to match the mood, as more comical scenes are shown. All sound effects are emphasised and played loudly to add to some of the shocking images which are revealed. Action shots are shown to entice those who are perhaps more interested in action films than typical "Murder Mysteries", and there is even a flicker of the occasional love scene, hinting that the film would be appropriate for both men and women.

Comical elements are also interjected to lighten the dark impression of the film which is first left upon the audience. Familiar names of actors and actresses also flicker onto the screen towards the end of the trailer, and after the succession of dramatic action scenes, involving attractive women and shocking stunts, the trailer closes on a comical scene, leaving the audience with a light-hearted memory of the upcoming film. Since the film is so well known the producers are able to end with a set date of the film, rather than needing to leave the audience in suspense.

There are various studios that have helped with this film such as Warner Bros it's well met that they produced this because Warner Bros originally produced big western films so they’re logo resembled a sheriff's badge but in modern times it's recognised as a shield because when you see a shield you think of protection and superheroes.Also when they showed the logo for Warner Bros they used a old logo because the film is set in an era before that of today.