conventions of a gangster film
Post on 17-Jul-2015
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TRANSCRIPT
By Asia Thomas Jennings
CONVENTIONS OF A GANGSTER
FILM
There are many elements of film that appear very similar in terms of gangster
films. For example, Claude Levi – Stause’s theory on narratives suggests that
there are always going to be based around conflict of binary opposites. This
could be a case of:
o Good vs. evil
o Rich vs. poor
o Power vs. weakness
Examples of gangster films which follow this theory are:
Goodfellas, Gangster Squad and Scarface
THE GANGSTER GENRE
I have decided that my film opening will come under the film noir genre. This
means it is important to focus on the specific conventions which the film noir
genre follows.
Some of the typical cinematography conventional of film noir motion
pictures include:
Distortion
Skewed camera angle
High and low camera angles are used excessively
CAONVENTIONS OF FILM NOIR
There are very specific element of mise en scene which are often very similar
from film to film within the film noir genre. These are:
The location of a film noir motion picture is often in a fairly urban setting
in which most audiences can identify
Traditional male characters within a gangster films would usually be
dressed on suits, long coats and pinstriped patterns on their clothes.
Women in gangster films are often presented wearing red or red lipstick.
They tend to be wearing an elegant dress.
There is often very high contrasting colours ( black and white, very few
grey colours)
Low level lighting is often used in gangster films
CONVENTIONAL FILM NOIR MISE
EN SCENE
Secretary has been my main inspiration for my film opening so this is the
opening I am choosing to analyse.
SPECIFIC SUB GENRE
The first scene I the film is taken
from a longshot. This is often
done to establish the characters
involved and their environment.
Natural lighting can be denoted.
The camera then uses an arc motion which then tracks
down to a high angled midshot.The camera then tracks to the right,
down and back up again. This is
usually done to keep the momentum
of the opening and make sure that
the audience definitely knows who to
identify with as they follow that
character.
• The music during the secretary opening is quite and understated. This is
good because it does not distract from what the audience sees the first
character doing.
• Costume seems to be fairly formal. The character the audience gets to see
in the opening is wearing a white shirt, black skirt, tights and black
stilettos. This conveys an idea of work wear or a fairly important occasion
taking place.
• The setting seems to be office-like. With a desk, printer and fairly earthy
colours. This sets the mood for what kinds of situations that the
protagonist will be in.
• The opening seems to flow very well and feel very fluid. This because of
the lack of cutting which is done throughout the opening.
SPECIFIC SUB GENRE
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