Text Messaging has become popular in Films recently as the world has evolved to text more than make phone calls. However, just shooting a closeup of a phone screen can be quite boring for audiences. And can disrupt the pace of the scene as the shot needs to be on screen long enough for the audience to read it. To combat this, Filmmakers have found a variety of different ways to show text in film. Now, more often than not Filmmakers are choosing to show text as a graphic on screen. What this does is it gives the audience the ability to continue to look at the characters reaction to the text and not solely focus on the text message itself. I think this is an effective method as the reaction is just as important as the message. This method allows both to be in the same shot.

BBC’s  Sherlock (2010) series is an interesting example of filmmakers utilizing text messages to develop their narrative. In the series, Sherlock and Watson both have a running texting conversation going throughout episodes, and the creators of the show (Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat) have used the element of texting as more than just exposition but to develop sherlock as a character. In the show He will always text, no matter how dangerous or urgent the situation because he truly believes it is quicker and more efficient. Which is Something sherlock strives to be. The filmmakers aren’t just texting because its an easy plot device, it adds to the story and develops how the audience understands Sherlock’s mannerisms.

Sherlock Texting Scene – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cMvdOr9QEg