Tim Burton presents a unique style in Sweeney Todd through the use of different micro-elements.
First, Burton uses cinematography to portray shows position and status in the film.
This is evident where there is a high angled mid shot from behind of Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett looking out of the window a Pirelli as he walks towards their shop.
The use of this shot suggests status, show Pirelli as inferior and vulnerable, whereas Sweeney looks more superior to Pirelli as he pitifully looks down at him. The shot also creates this thought to the audience of a predator watching it's prey who is Pirelli, this then creates this foreshadowing a negative event which would be very likely to occur very soon.
This links to Burton's cinematic style as he creates this "Predator & Prey" theme to the story which he also does in his other films.
Cinematography is also used to create a certain mood and atmosphere.
This is evident where there is an Extreme Close-up shot of Sweeney's bloodshot eyes quickly staring at the pot as it boils up and steams more and more.
This creates tension as it indicates that the boiling kettle will be somehow associated with Sweeney's act of rage and predictably foreshadows that something violent is about to occur.
The use of this shot also creates escalating suspense as the shot also synchronizes with the kettle boiling and increasing in noise to project Sweeney's building rage.
Cinematography is used another part of the extract where there is the use of a low-angled shot of Sweeney repeatedly hitting Pirelli with the kettle violently.
The use of this shot is show the audience his utter rage and anger as he bludgeons Pirelli with the pot.
However, this shot does not actually show the pot actually hitting Pirelli's head as this particular part uses theatre of the mind on the audience and proves the audience to imagine gruesome and bloody thoughts of how Pirelli would look after that ruthless assault.
Sound is used to create a mood and control the amount of tension and atmosphere in a scene.
This is evident where Pirelli dramatically says "Benjamin Barker" then a non-diegetic deep, low-pitched orchestral sound motif plays.
This suggests that the audience must pay close attention to the dialogue and acts as an indication to the audience that something will happen, a foreshadowing of an unexpected act and a dark outcome.
It also suggests to the audience that this is a significant part of the dialogue between Sweeney Todd and Pirelli.
Furthermore, the use of this sudden build up in the music creates tension and suspense as it sets an uneasy mood for the audience and signifies a that something terrible is bound to happen any second.
The orchestral music then only goes down a bit but still maintains an uneasy tense volume level and this prolongs the suspense and suggests to the audience that there will be an unexpected reaction from Sweeney Todd as he slowly builds up in rage.
Another part where sound is used is controlled is where the pot next to Sweeney starts to boil and produce steam when Pirelli finally forces him to explode in anger.
The use of the increasing diegetic high-pitched sound of the pot's boiling steam almost signifies Sweeney's rage increasing and establishes this tense atmosphere and creates suspense as it foreshadows that Sweeney Todd is going to do something drastic and knowing how dark of a character he is, it will probably lead him to brutally murder him using a weapon.
Non diegetic sound is also used to control the mood and atmosphere in the scene.
This was evident where as soon as Sweeny picked up the boiling pot to assault Pirelli, there was a sudden rise of volume to a high pitched horror-like, fast-paced orchestral sound which is then played through the part where Pirelli is bludgeoned to death.
This then provokes shock to the audience as soon as Sweeney first ruthlessly hit Pirelli with the pot, it makes his action totally unexpected as the music had started immediately from when he about to assault Pirelli. The use of this sudden fast orchestral music was to signal prolonged violence, it played as the violence had continued and then as Sweeney stopped, where the tempo of the music had slows down and the volume had decreased as Sweeney relaxes in his chair with relief.
This then establishes a suddenly calm, tranquil and controlled atmosphere and almost synchronises with how Sweeney feels. In addition, as soon as Pirelli had died, the atmosphere had became more quieter and tranquil and this shows this sense of accomplishment in Sweeney Todd.
This then shows how the non-diegetic soundtrack is used to almost reflect his emotions and shows the extent of Sweeney Todd's rage.
Mise en Scene is also used in Sweeney Todd to establish and reveal a hidden aspect about a character.
This is shown where there is a mid close up sot of Sweeney by the day lit and Pirelli stands next to him from behind in the dark area of the shot.
Light is on Sweeney to indicate that he is the audience's visual point of focus in the shot, this is in order to show Sweeney's countenance and gradual build up of rage as Pirelli winds him up. In addition, it is to show how Sweeney receives news given to him by Pirelli.
While on the other hand, Pirelli stands in the dark part of the shot behind him and this reveals this character as a dark, sinister and villainous figure, like an antagonist. This also creates a creepy and uneasy atmosphere as it's almost like Pirelli's appearance has changed into what seems to be this burden to Sweeney, a shadow that menacingly follows Sweeney Todd.
Editing is used in the sequence to set the pace of scene and provoke a feeling within the audience.
This is shown where there are short, fast-paced shots of every hit made on Pirelli and is at a fast pace in order to create this sense of excitement and adrenaline.
Furthermore, this also provokes shock in the viewer as it all happens so quickly that it was completely unexpected for this violent and ruthless act to happen.
