Framing Fury (Sherlock‘s Golden Section)
In the first image we’ve got a bird’s eye view of John’s hilarious and righteous attack on Sherlock. There’s a lot going on here. Why isn’t it utter chaos on the eyes? Because the math is golden.
In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities.
The golden ratio is also called the golden section (Latin: sectio aurea) or golden mean. Other names include extreme and mean ratio, medial section, divine proportion, divine section (Latin: sectio divina), golden proportion, golden cut, and golden number. (x)
Image two shows the frame is quite consciously segmented along the principles of the golden rectangle, or the rule of thirds. (a+b is to a as a is to b.)
Image three shows quite clearly the focus of the frame is on the ‘a’ portion of the frame, the scuffle. The action spirals outward from the waiters who are trying to pull John back. The golden spiral is reinforced by the circular overhead light on Sherlock.
Image four — the shot is perfectly proportioned according to the golden section!
Image five — there’s not just one golden spiral in this scene! John is at the center of one and Sherlock, at the center of another.
The scene is completely choreographed.
And THAT is how a frame tells a story.
