By Asia Thomas Jennings

CONVENTIONS OF A GANGSTER

FILM

There are many elements of film that appear very similar in terms of gangster

films. For example, Claude Levi – Stause’s theory on narratives suggests that

there are always going to be based around conflict of binary opposites. This

could be a case of:

o Good vs. evil

o Rich vs. poor

o Power vs. weakness

Examples of gangster films which follow this theory are:

Goodfellas, Gangster Squad and Scarface

THE GANGSTER GENRE

I have decided that my film opening will come under the film noir genre. This

means it is important to focus on the specific conventions which the film noir

genre follows.

Some of the typical cinematography conventional of film noir motion

pictures include:

Distortion

Skewed camera angle

High and low camera angles are used excessively

CAONVENTIONS OF FILM NOIR

There are very specific element of mise en scene which are often very similar

from film to film within the film noir genre. These are:

The location of a film noir motion picture is often in a fairly urban setting

in which most audiences can identify

Traditional male characters within a gangster films would usually be

dressed on suits, long coats and pinstriped patterns on their clothes.

Women in gangster films are often presented wearing red or red lipstick.

They tend to be wearing an elegant dress.

There is often very high contrasting colours ( black and white, very few

grey colours)

Low level lighting is often used in gangster films

CONVENTIONAL FILM NOIR MISE

EN SCENE

Secretary has been my main inspiration for my film opening so this is the

opening I am choosing to analyse.

SPECIFIC SUB GENRE

The first scene I the film is taken

from a longshot. This is often

done to establish the characters

involved and their environment.

Natural lighting can be denoted.

The camera then uses an arc motion which then tracks

down to a high angled midshot.The camera then tracks to the right,

down and back up again. This is

usually done to keep the momentum

of the opening and make sure that

the audience definitely knows who to

identify with as they follow that

character.

• The music during the secretary opening is quite and understated. This is

good because it does not distract from what the audience sees the first

character doing.

• Costume seems to be fairly formal. The character the audience gets to see

in the opening is wearing a white shirt, black skirt, tights and black

stilettos. This conveys an idea of work wear or a fairly important occasion

taking place.

• The setting seems to be office-like. With a desk, printer and fairly earthy

colours. This sets the mood for what kinds of situations that the

protagonist will be in.

• The opening seems to flow very well and feel very fluid. This because of

the lack of cutting which is done throughout the opening.

SPECIFIC SUB GENRE