Conventions of mob gangster filmsMegan Cooper

I am exploring the traditional conventions of a mob gangster film as I want to create a film opening based upon them.

One typical convention for mob gangster films is that gangsters flaunt their wealth. For example the use of certain props such as guns, expensive cars etc. This makes the gangster obviously the antagonist as they show clear superiority over other people who appear to be less wealthy.

A further convention is that the antagonist succeeds through the crime they has committed throughout the film, and then falling back down to where he started or being punished for his crimes; this normally happens due to a fatal mistake made by either the main mobster (gangster) or further down the hierarchy. This normally happens in order for the audience to understand that the crimes the characters commit are wrong, and that it isn’t a normal way of living.

Conventions

Mise en Scene

Formal outfits are a typical convention for mob gangster films. These formal outfits such as suits show wealth and superiority over other people. Also, in gangster movies the men in suits are often the leader or very high up in the hierarchy of gangsters, therefore where suits to show people their power and dominance. Suits have connotations of formality and professional occupations, therefore wearing suits is significant in showing the audience that the gangsters feel what they do is a profession, and is normal.

Mise en Scene is a french term meaning ‘put in scene’. It is a group of elements which the director decides to put into the film, including costume, setting, lighting, props etc. All these are chosen by the director to create a stronger genre and to add more realism to the film.

Mise en scene

Big cities such as New York City and Chicago are used often in mob gangster films. Chicago has many connotations of gangsters due to Al Capone; a real life gangster from the 1920’s. Locations like these big cities are very popular within the gangster genre because they contain many backstreets and alleys, which are perfect for this genre of films as it creates an atmosphere of danger and hints at the audience what is going to happen e.g. murder, illegal sales, ambush etc. Gangster’s typical intentions are to be as powerful as possible, and therefore these big cities are a perfect choice as they almost influence the gangsters amount of power they have or plan to have.

Low-level lighting is also a typical aspect of mise en scene which is in gangster films. For example in the opening of The Godfather, low lighting is used to create a silhouette of the main character, who we later learn to be Marlon Brando. The use of low-level lighting creates a more grim feel to many scenes, and is often used throughout the films to reflect the dark personalities of the antagonists (gangsters)

Analyse film openings: The Godfather

First we see a title of the production company. This lasts for 6 seconds. Paramount is a very well known company and are famous for creating very good films; this informs the audience that the film is going to be of good quality.

Here we see the title for the film, which lasts for 7 seconds. The black and white format is the same and we see a hand controlling the word ‘father’ like a puppet. This already suggests to the audience the main character will be dominating.

After the title has faded a black screen is shown for a few seconds, with a non-diegetic synchronous song in the background. This creates high suspense for the audience. The tile is followed by this close up shot, which has low level lighting. This creates a strong grim and mysterious feel to the film.

The previous shot zooms out to show the surroundings the character is in, however the lighting is still very low-level. This zoom out however doesn’t brighten up the surroundings so we are still unaware of the location.

The zooming out continues until it transfers to an over the shoulder shot, showing that the character who was first introduced is inferior to the character whom we are looking over their shoulder. The lighting is still very low, reflecting the dark personalities of the gangsters.

Here we see the first and a third character speaking in private in a close up/two shot. However we cannot make out their facial expressions, keeping the superior characters identity hidden. This makes the audience wonder about their identity and keeps them on edge.

The director then cuts to a close up of the second character, of whom we finally get to meet. His facial expression is portrayed as angry however the scene is very calm and settled. This contrast is unsettling for the audience and therefore makes them think what is wrong or what is coming next.

Finally, after we hear the Godfather’s reply, the director cuts to an establishing shot, which we would normally see at the beginning of the film to set the seen. Now the audience can see the location of the scene which looks to be an office, this informs the audience that the Godfather is a professional man and possibly wealthy.

Analyse film openings: Pulp Fiction

The opening scene is a two shot. There is no non-diegetic sounds, only dialogue which forces the audience to only focus on what the characters are saying. They appear comfortable around each other and we therefore get an insight into their relationship. This shot goes against the traditional conventions of a mob gangster film as it has high level lighting and the atmosphere is very settled, so therefore doesn’t make the audience feel ‘on edge’

Here is a close up of the 3rd character we meet, a waitress. The scene still has hjgh level lighting and the mood has not changed. There is ambient noise in the background.

Here there is diegetic synchronous sounds of the coffee being poured for the lady sitting down. This is a mid shot however we also see the waitresses arm across the middle.

Here the director cuts back to the two shot. However the woman’s body language has changed, coming across as either in distress, or tired.

Here we see another mid shot of the female character, with the males dialogue in the background. The woman is not talking very much, suggesting that the male is dominant. This is a traditional representation of men.

Here is an over the shoulder shot of the male. The lighting still hasn’t changed, still going against traditional conventions of mob gangster films.

This is another shot of the woman however this is a close up. This is used to see her reactions to the man talking about murder. These reactions go against the conventions of a mob gangster film also as we would expect the other characters to take part. However this is a traditional representation of women as they are seen as innocent and motherly, therefore wouldn’t murder.

Finally we see the directors use of the two shot again, this allows us to see the two characters as a team, discussing the topic of killing someone.

Analyse film openings: Reservoir Dogs

The first title is of the production company. It uses dark colours which is common in other gangster film openings.

Next we learn of the producer. In the background we hear dialogue which appears to be a conversation between more than one person.

After another title, we see an over the shoulder two shot which is using the rule of thirds. This introduces us to 3 characters, and informs us that the previous dialogue was not a informal conversation, but possibly a formal meeting. We also see popular gangster props, e.g cigarettes.

The previous shot arcs around a table, informing us that this may be a meeting. The men are wearing suits, a traditional convention of the gangster genre. The suits also suggest that this is an important meeting for important people.

Next the director cuts the tracking shot to another tracking shot, however this shot is a close up. This enables us to see in more detail the other characters reactions to what they are hearing.

Here is another two shot of more characters which are involved in the meeting/conversation.

Next is a close up of another character, this shot also uses the rule of thirds. The location and props show us that the characters are having breakfast in a cafe. This is not a typical location for gangster film openings, therefore goes against the traditional conventions of a gangster film.

Another character is introduced, using a close up and rule of thirds. The opening scene uses limited shot types and camera movements. Usually sticking to close ups and mid shots, and tracking shots.

Analyse film openings: Goodfellas

The first title informs us that the film is based on true events, this automatically puts the audience on edge at what is to come.

This is a mid shot of the back of a car. The lighting is very low level, this creates a mysterious atmosphere for the scene.

The previous shot tracks sideways, becoming a point of view shot where we are another driver overtaking the car.

This title shows us the location and date of the film. New York is a very common location for gangster films as the city is very big, therefore attracting gangsters as they want as much power as they can get. The date shows us that the film may be a story, or someone looking back on their past - it is not the present.

The title then cuts to a mid shot of the characters in the car. There is only one awake, as it is nighttime and he is the driver. They are all wearing suits and therefore the audience wonder where the characters have come from e.g. a meeting or a robbery.

A diegetic thump is heard from the boot of the car. The driver seems to be unaware of what has caused the sound and wakes up the other people in the car. The intensity has risen slightly as the audience wonder what is in the boot.

The director cuts to an establishing shot. The driver has pulled over and they are now standing in a red spotlight which is from the car. This sets an intense atmosphere for the audience as red has connotations of blood and danger.

This next shot includes diegetic sounds of the person in the car hitting the boot. The shot zooms in which intensifies the drama and dangerous atmosphere. The shots in the opening are also dark, suggesting the characters are doing something they shouldn’t and making the scene more grim.