Post on 02-Aug-2015
Research into Gangster sub genre: British Gangster
Shot types and Editing…Freeze frame
Close-ups
Slow motion
Panning movement
Establishing shot
Two ShotGet Carter-Train scene
Gangster Squad- relationship
Bugsy Malone- StreetGangster Squad-action scene
Long Stock-voice over of characters
Bugsy Malone
After exploring many different British Gangster film openings, I’ve concluded that this sub-genre uses editing and
skilful shot types more than other sub-genres, such as Mob. For instance; Freeze frame, slow motion and fast paced clips. The reason for this is that it allows the characters to be revealed in different ways, but also
fits in lots of information quickly to entice the audience. The fast pace
represents the quick speed of criminals, and the freeze frame metaphorically relates to when
criminals get un-expectantly caught and arrested/killed.
Mise en Scene…ColourMake-up
Sepia Effect- Long, Stock and Two Smoking
Barrels
Black and White-The Public Enemy
Bugsy Malone- Traditional representation of male.
Top hat, suit, tie, shirt
Costume
Gangster Squad-red shiny lips, defined black eyeliner, pale
skin, bold brown eyebrows
Long Stock- Casual, smart yet normal clothing. A
coat, scarf and trousers.
Other examples of make-up used are fake blood and
cuts. This dramatical makeup
allows us to believe the action and violence within
the film.
American Gangster Films use the traditional representation of men and stereotypical black suit and tie costume to create a
strong gangster image. In contrast, British Gangster challenges the stereotypical image
and there are less people in suits. Instead, casual “chav” clothing is used
(such as hoodies/joggers) to blend in with society. This makes it much more relaxed and allows the criminals to blend in with their community. However, there are still characters that show their authority with smarter clothing. Bugsy Malone dresses the men in traditional suits, yet Long Stock
has both casual and smartly dressed actors. This shows that the British Gangster theme is much more open with costumes and there
is not a single specific outfit.
Mise en Scene…Setting Props
Gangster Squad- Bar
Long Stock- Street corner
Gangster Squad- Urban
City
Gun
Old Fashioned Car
Cigarettes
Money
Drugs
In British Gangster films, the setting is normally outside, such as a city,park or street view. These exterior scenes usually
reveal what mischief the characters get up to. On many occasions there
are shooting scenes inside buildings. These interior scenes
have low level lighting to create a mysterious and tense atmosphere.
The film theme normally fits around the criminalistic props used.
Mise en Scene…Actors Lighting
Long stock- Jason Flemyng
Bexter Fletcher Nick Moran
Jason Statham
Gangster Squad-
Ryan Gosling Emma Stone Josh Brolin Nick Nolte
Anthony Mackie Michael Pena
Robert Patrick Sean Penn Giovanni Ribisa
Bugsy Malone- Low level lighting
Long Stock- Natural lighting
Sound…Non-Diegetic Diegetic Voice-over
• This can be a description of the
main characters (Long stock)
• Someones thoughts-allowing the audience to understand what they are feeling.
• You can use a voice-over of an unknown
character, then later bring them into the film- a very clever
technique. • Martin Scorsesse used
his own voice in many of his films, but never revealed his
face.
• Diegetic sound is in the characters
world. We assume they can hear the noise by
their reactions. • Examples in
gangster films are- Explosions,
background noise, cars,
clocks, singing, footsteps.
• Sound Bridge is used to link two
scenes.
• Non-diegetic sound is
outside the character
world, and they cannot hear it.
• Music is usually used to
build the atmosphere and tense emotions
of the audience.
• It may begin non-diegetic and turn into
diegetic.
During the opening of a Gangster films, non-diegetic music is much more frequent than diegetic music.
Sounds that are outside the characters world usually build more tension and reveal what is about to happen. For instance, a fast pace tune would imply danger
is just around the corner. In Bugsy Malone diegetic footsteps
are used, however this is normally un-common during the first 2 minutes of a film, as it is
important to draw the audience in.
Most Profitable…Long, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,
directed by Guy Ritchie, was an extremely profitable film with a budget of £960,000 and gross intake of $3,650,677. However, it is not Ritchie’s most profitable film. He continued on a high after this positive beginning and continued to direct British Gangster films such as Snatch. Snatch had
a £6,000,000 budget and grossed $30,093,107- making it his most profitable
film.
Most Influential…Rocknrolla 2008 is one of the most influential Crime Thriller films
because it stood out from the other Gangster films during that time. It combines humour with crime and plays with the serious stereotype Gangster image. Famous Actors were used to
entice the audience; Gerard Butler, Gemma Arterton, Thandie Newton and
Jeremy Piven.
Most successful…Snatch 2000 is a comical Crime film written and directed by
Guy Ritchie. Well-known actors such as Brad Pitt, Vinnie Jones and Jason Stratham star in this successful film. It was rated a
high 8.3, and a gross box office of £30.1million.
In this presentation I have researched deeply into my sub genre: British Gangster. I have previously looked in to the history
and most common films of the Gangster genre. However, now I have focused on the specific sub-genre- I can allow my film opening to
fit in with this category. I will later need to show how I have adopted conventions or deliberately challenged them and will need to compare this research to my final piece. I have found out that Guy Ritchie is one of the most famous British Gangster directors and has produced extremely successful films staring well-known actors, and have been
inspired by him.