conventions of a gangster film
DESCRIPTION
Explores conventions of a gangster film, shows mise en scene of 5 film openings, sound and editingTRANSCRIPT
CONVENTIONS OF A GANGSTER FILM
SUB GENRE’S: MOB BRITISH GANGSTER FILM NOIR DETECTIVE/CRIMEI’VE CHOSEN TO FOCUS MY COURSEWORK ON BRITISH GANGSTER AND ASPECTS OF FILM NOIR. FEATURES OF A BRITISH GANGSTER FILMS ARE THEMES OF MORTALITY,CRIME, DRUGS AND MONEY.I BELIEVE THESE CONCEPTS REFLECT SITUATIONS THAT TEENAGERS EXPERIENCE IN THE MODERN DAY AND I FEEL COMFORTABLE AND FAMILIAR TRYING TO ENGAGE AN AUDIENCE VIA THESE TOPICS. FILM NOIR REPRESENTS FEMALE POWER AND CONTRADICTS SUPERIOR TRADITIONAL MALES, SO MY FILM OPENING WILL HAVE ASPECTS OF THIS IN, HOWEVER WITH A TWIST; WHERE THE WOMEN AND MALE ARE BOTH EQUAL GENDERS.
LONG STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS 1998
Mise en scene… Actors: Jason Statham, Nick
Moran Set: Back street, brick wall,
stairs Lighting: natural
creates a realistic, ordinary atmosphere and life of a real criminal
Props: table, money, suitcase, bags, stolen goods, jewellery Features of a british gangster film-suggestions of
crime Costume: black jacket and
scarf, coats, police outfit and hat
shows contrast between antagonist and protagonist, the simple jacket and scarf outfit of the criminal
reminds us that they blend in with society and are not always easy to spot Makeup: None
Colour: Sepia tone
Sound: • Diegetic parallel
synchronous dialogue- sound bridge- clips cut between titles and video
• Non diegetic music • Voice over during slow
motion
LONG STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS 1998
Editing and camera:
Over the shoulder
shot shows
perspective of a character in
the crowd
Close up Tracking in
audience identifies with character
Long shot/ Establishing shot
Tracking reveals the scene and we follow
him running, keeping in time with the character- builds a
tense pace
Slow motion
Low angle allows time for voiceover to
describe characters
Mid shot reveals the scene and
outfit
BUGSY MALONE 1976Mise en scene…
Actors: Scott Baio (all children playing adult roles) Comical play on a gangster film as it contrasts the stereotype and introduces a new age group
Set: dark street, brick lane The dark night creates a tense atmosphere and puts audience on edge
Lighting: low level, spot light reveals faces Props: gong, fake guns, bin lid, custard pies
reflect the time era, custard in replacement of bullets happily surprises the audience Costume: smart suit, glasses, red bow tie, top hats, smart
shoes, tie, moustache reflects the time era and represents traditional image of men
Makeup: None Colour: None
Sound… Diegetic background noises parallel and
synchronised Diegetic water running parallel and synchronised
Non diegetic voice over of young child Non diegetic orchestra music
Diegetic dialogue of girl acts as sound bridge between cut scenes
Diegetic dialogue, parallel and synchronised
BUGSY MALONE 1976
Editing and camera:
Tracking horizontal
Establishing shot, high
angle
Freeze frame captures a moment of victory
and happiness
Long shot
Close up
THE GODFATHER 1972Mise en scene…
Actors: Antonio Andolini Set: not revealed due to dark, black,
low level lighting Lighting: Low level, spot light above
his head creates shadows hides his identity and makes us question where he is and the
reason he is there Props: None
very simplistic- we focus on his dialect instead of image Costume: moustache, white shirt,
black suit jacket, black tie traditional representation of men
Makeup: None Colour: None
Sound: Non diegetic orchestra music plays during
black background and white titles Diegetic dialogue parallel- sound bridge
THE GODFATHER 1972
Editing and camera:
Over the shoulder shot
Mid shot
Long shot
Close up
Tracking out
Tracking out
THE DEPARTED 2006Mise en scene…
Actors: Jack Nicolson Set: street, american style diner
Lighting: low level in areas, shadows on his face creates silhouette but natural light
reveals everyone else doesn’t reveal his identity- tells us he is a dark, criminal
character yet eager to see his face Props: coffee, money, watch,
glasses, food ordinary scene contrasts the crime
Costume: white apron, blue shirt, glasses
Makeup: None Colour: None
Sound: Voice over old videos, acts as sound bridge- non diegetic
thoughts of main character Non diegetic music- addition of electric guitar
THE DEPARTED 2006Editing and camera:
Close up
Two shot Mid shot
Establishing shot
Over the shoulder shot Two shot
PULP FICTION 1994Mise en scene…
Actors: Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer
Set: American style diner Lighting: natural, bright
Props: food, mugs, cutlery, red booth seats, table,
lighter, cigarette, coffee Costume: casual clothing, colourful printed shirt
Makeup: None Colour: None
Sound: Diegetic background music
Diegetic dialogue parallel and synchronous
PULP FICTION 1994
Editing and camera: Over the Shoulder shot
Close up
Mid shot Two shot
shows a relationship between the female and male as they are relaxed in
conversation over a coffee
Analysing these film openings has given me inspiration for my own. Each of these 5 openings are completely different to one another. For instance, Pulp Fiction includes a female role and shows the relationship between a team of opposing genders. I would like to incorporate this in my opening as it contrasts with the traditional representation of males being the stronger role, I believe equality is important. Bugsy Malone explores a different perspective including child actors, which I have considered yet am against the
idea. Both The Departed and The Godfather hide part of the identity of the main first characters, which entices the audience. Long Stock and Two Smoking Barrels has a sepia
tinted effect which makes the videos seem almost dirty, and we focus more on the movement in the scene rather than the
colour. 4/5 of the Gangster films used establishing shots to reveal the scene. In conclusion, I believe watching many
film openings and comparing the similarities and differences between them will allow me to understand what is necessary
and important to include, and inspire me to create a different concept in my own opening. I do not want to re-
make an old Gangster film or copy another directors, however I must ensure my opening fits in to the British Gangster
theme.