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.