Conventions of a gangster film

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.