CONVENTIONS OF A BRITISHMOB FILM

• films dealing with organised crime, often the Mafia.• Sometimes overlapped with film noir.

• Centred around crime.• First introduced in 1932 with ‘Scarface’.

• Mob films are often categorised with film noir or mystery.• Focuses on the rise of power, more than likely a gang.

• Purposely shot with low level lighting, fore tells what’s going to happen/mood of the film.

• Contrapuntal sound is often used in mob films, contrasts the scene so makes the scene more effective.

• In the 1930’s mob films focused on how crime never pays.• In the 1930’s the ending usually consists of the main mobster/gang leader making a fatal mistake which the

protagonists use to their advantage.• Certain aspects have changed through the years to fit with

society at that time.

LAYER CAKE

1.) The voice over of the actor Daniel Craig to introduce the character. Full body shot of character, main focus of the

audiences attention. Lighting is dim, reflects time of day for the character, feel part of their world, maybe connotes

something bad will happen later on in the film, giving the audience an insight. The briefcase suggests a businessman . Non diegetic sound playing along with the dialogue, quieter than dialogue showing that the dialogue is of importance.

Follows on to say Actors name, well known actor, that kind of genre can be recognised by this.

2.) non-diegetic sound is main part of this scene, plays loudly, the beat is quite slow, suggesting that there isn't any action happening. Diegetic ambient sound, like background talking

of others, just being heard. The diegetic sound of the car doors slamming maybe has been exaggerated a little.

Lighting is natural showing us the time in the actors world. Camera tracks out to show the whole of the car and watches it pull away. New character being introduced, however he is driving which may suggest that he is the more dominant of

people of the two.

3.) Establishing shot as the camera pans along, introducing us to the new location as well as the music beat is picking up (bass is heavier) showing maybe an incline of action is about to happen. Simple jump cut straight from the other scene, cutting out time. Non-diegetic sound stays at the same level, over ambient

sound (cannot hear any). Again lighting is natural, quite bright, this can suggest that there is no trouble happening

at the moment. Camera continues to follow car.

4.) Two shot, not one character higher than the other so suggests that they’re both of equal importance,

maybe a pairing. Lighting id brighter outside than it is in the building that they have just entered,

contrasting, this could suggest the contrast in what might be happening next for the characters. Both of the characters are wearing suits, both unbuttoned at

the top, again, reinforcing the though that they are on par with each other.

DEAD MAN RUNNING

Transition between two scenes, different angle of camera keeps background of money

throughout the whole opening (transparent). Don’t hear the fire crackling (diegetic sound) because the non-diegetic music overlaps the

scene, matching the action.

Establishing shot of London, opening credit, low level lighting (night0 however

certain objects are highlighted. Fast-motion pan over the bridge. Non-diegetic

sound continues, same level of sound.

Dialogue starts, although non-diegetic sound still overlaps it. Although it’s low

level lighting but the shot is brighter than the previous one. New character is introduced. Two shot/point of view.

Last scene of the opening, don’t hear sound effect of blood splattering, quiet,

non-diegetic sound quietens down gradually. Blood is splattering on the £20 note, this has been a theme throughout

the whole opening, with the backgrounds.

LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS

First character introduced by dialogue before showing the character, first shot

type, close up. Natural lighting and ambient sound (as well as dialogue).

As this specific credit comes up, the non-diegetic sound starts ( music, first bars)

titles are not straight, big font in the middle of the screen, all lower case letters even

though it’s the name of a company.

Voice over begins, over non-diegetic music, whilst the shot slows down on the

specific characters ( slow motion), the voice over is introducing the character on screen, also the voice is the introduction of another character who we don’t see.

End of the opening scene, the name of he film appears , again similar to the previous credits

uneven, however this time it’s being typed onto the screen, whilst the non-diegetic music is still

playing in the background, also the title is bigger and in capitals (main point of focus, title

wise).

SNATCH.

Mid shot of all 3 characters. When the cloth is ripped away the diegetic sound is amplified (sound effect) showing the

importance of the object through sound.

First credit is the title, covering the diamond which they have just stolen,

juxtaposition is used to show the order of the events. Credits appear capitals, punctuated and underlined, in the

middle of the screen.

Characters introduced by a freeze frame and the nickname they’re called in the film, not really credits, doesn’t show the actors who

played the characters or the industries/companies.

One shot fades into another, of the massive diamond that was the background of the

title. Non-diegetic sound continues, after the shot pulls back out the character holding the

diamond.