CONVENTIONS OF A GANGSTER FILM

SUB GENRES:
MOB
BRITISH GANGSTER
FILM NOIR
DETECTIVE/CRIME
IVE 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 1976
Mise 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 1972
Mise 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 2006
Mise 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 2006
Editing and camera:
Close up
Two shot
Mid shot
Establishing
shot
Over the shoulder shot
Two shot
PULP FICTION 1994
Mise 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.