Gangster Film Conventions

7/29/2019 Gangster Film Conventions

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By James Powell


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The

StorylineFamily

Personal

Business

Hist

orical

Modern1940s/ 50s

Power To obtain

To maintain

Opening

Character

Introductions

Two

Characters

The Boss

Dialogue Establishesroles

Establishes

Story

Sound

Diegetic

Non-Diegetic

Narration

Gun shots,

punching etc

Dialogue

Music

Shot

TypesQuick

Cuts

Two

Shots

Contrapuntal

Sound

Mid Shots

Power

Triangle

Get Carter: CharacterIntroductions

The Godfather: The

Personal FamilyRocknrolla: Power Triangle

Pulp Fiction: Two Shot


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Get Carter- Opening Scene In Get Carter there are many typical conventions for a gangster film. For

example the story takes place within a Urban City using mostly exteriorlocations, this is shown through frequent establishing shots of a train coming

across the British countryside into a dense urban city. Also most of the male

characters are wearing suits and the female characters are wearing dresses

and props include books and cigarettes this suggests to the audience that the

film is a sophisticated British gangster film and not mob or noir. In addition the

scenes overall lighting is natural until he arrives in the city where it becomes

low level. Finally there is no dialogue only diegetic sounds of the train whilst

non-diegetic music plays over the entire scene.

Props: Cigarettes Setting: Exterior Urban CityProps: Book Costume: SuitsLighting: Low

Level

Lighting: Natural


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Layer Cake- Opening Scene Layer cake opening uses at first low level lighting whilst there is a non-

diegetic narration from Daniel Craig but then during the opening creditsthe lighting becomes natural and the there is non-diegetic music . The

two male characters are both wearing suits showing the sophisticated

British film genre. The setting is a dense urban city and an expensive

estate telling the audience that this is the hierarchy of the crime world. In

addition the 2 characters are shown within 2 shots suggesting that theyare partners. Finally the editing uses quick cuts and the camera never

stays focused on anyone thing for very long suggesting to the audience

that the film will be face paced.

Costume: Suits

Shot: Long Shot,

EstablishingShot: 2 Shot

Setting: Urban CityLighting: Natural

Setting: Rural Estate


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Lock Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels-

Opening Scene Lock Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels is set in a dense urban city and in thebeginning is only diegetic sound of the dialogue and crowd. But when JasonStatham begins running away from the police it switches to non-diegetic music.In addition most of the people shown in the scene are in long trench coats and

scarves showing us that this low level crime as Jason Statham sells stolengoods. These stolen are shown as the props featuring chains, suitcases and

boxes. Furthermore most of the shots used are mid shots and close ups until the

chase beings and it becomes long shots of them running through the streets.The editing also changes, it begins using quick cuts and in the end a slowmotion shot of him throwing a box.

Costume: Trench Coat &

Scarf Props: Chain Setting: Urban CityProps: Suitcase

Shot: Two Shot

Setting: Urban back street


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44 Inch Chest- Opening Scene The Opening to 44 Inch Chest uses low level lighting and slow establishing

shots to create mystery and intrigue the audience as to what is happening on

the screen. It also does this by uses lots of props such as broken glass,

smashed pots and a broken TV to also put across mystery. As I mentioned

before the clip uses slow close ups to begin with focusing on isolated objects

and then goes to long shots showing the whole room including the individual

objects within these long shots. The editing unlike the other clips is slow and

pans across the objects and rooms. In the clip Ray Winston is wearing a untied

shirt and braces he looks undone and shocked. Throughout the whole scenenon-diegetic music is playing which is also contrapuntal sound. Finally the

setting takes place within what looks like Ray Winston's room which is quite

nice and expensive suggesting that Ray Winston is a successful criminal.

Costume: Shirt & Braces

Props: Pillow

Case

Lighting: Low

LevelShot: Long shot

Props: Broken

TV

Shot:

Close up


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Sexy Beast- Opening SceneThe Sexy Beast opening begins with high level lighting and a diegetic monologue.

Its then goes into a long shot of the main character lying on a sun bed as he sits upit switched to non-diegetic music. The high level lighting goes completely against

the typical gangster film conventions and is a bold choice. It also changes shot to

mid shot of him and then a long establishing shot of the town that he is in. The

editing is slow and pans similar to 44 Inch Chest. In addition the props used feature

sun cream, sunglasses and a bowl of ice water. This combined with the gold chain

prop around his neck and the fact he is spending his time sunbathing could tell ushe is a wealthy criminal. Finally the costume the main character is wearing are

yellow swimming shorts telling us that he is laid back and relaxed.

Lighting:

High Level Shot: Long shotProps: Sun cream, Sunglasses

etc

Props: BoulderShot: Mid Shot

Costume: Swimming

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