Research Task 2
Conventions of a gangster film
Research Task 1
History of Gangster/crime genre
Research Task 3
Research Into industry of crime/gangster genre
Research Task 4
ANalysis of Gangster films
Lock stock and two smoking barrels
The Godfather
Pulp Fiction
WHAT HAVE I LEARNT?
During this task I have learnt how a conventional film opening is organised. As a result I will be able to make a more realistic opening to my film. Due to this task I know how to construct the opening scene of a film, including the timings of title slides. As well as that this task has enabled me to see and understand different styles that can be used in the construction of my own opening, for example, The Godfather opening is very different the Lock, Stock and Two smoking barrels, but i'd still feel confident doing either of these styles due to this task allowing me to see how they are constructed. Therefore I now have better and more varied options when the time comes to plan and construct.
Research Task 5
Research into a director
Research Task 6
Influences of style
During this task I research the costumes used in crime and gangster films throughout the years.
and have found out that in crime or gangster films it is expected that the main antagonist, or the most powerful man in the gang, would normally wear a smart suit, often black, with a shirt and tie, or maybe even a bow-tie. This was worn to display their wealth and power to everyone else as the said suit would be very expensive. As well as that, historically, back to the 1930’s and 1940’s any man would be expected to wear suits, and therefore in the earlier films it could be said that suits were worn so the the gangster could blend in.
Also, as displayed in the photopeach presentation, in the era
where Film Noir was popular, large coats were worn, again to hide the identity of the wearer as the criminal would desire. Also trilby hats were worn, and this has carried through to more gangster films later on.
However, in a more modern day film, such as displayed in The Departed, and Pulp Fiction, the main antagonist may not wear such formal clothes. The prime example of this is the opening scene of The Departed, where the character with the power is wearing an informal shirt with buttons undone. Pulp Fiction goes a step further than this and goes full casual wear, with a Hawaiian t-shirt visible on the man.
In more gangster films women are dressed up to look as glamorous as possible, often being sexualised by what they wear and their make-up.
What have I learnt?
During this task will help me during the time when I have to plan what costumes I want my actors to wear. I now have the option whether I want to create a classic gangster film, where the main antagonist would be wearing more formal clothes, or a more modern film, where the he would be wearing less formal clothes.
Research Task 7
Research into relevant gangster sub-genre
Research Task 8
Theory of narrative
Research Task 9
Inspiration and influences
Research Task 10
Analysis of Previous Work
Research Task 11
Audience research
The target audience of most crime or gangster films is the group of people aged between 18 to 25, predominantly males. This is the result of this particular age group having as much disposable income as they ever will and thus will be able to play for leisure activities such as going to the cinema or buying film dvds. This age group is also more likely to enjoy the action packed sequences and to often gruesome scene, than an older person may enjoy the same scenes.
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Due to these scenes most crime and gangster films have an age certificate of 15 or 18, therefore meaning that only those on or above the age on the certificate can watch or buy the film.
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The BBFC deem a 15 must conform to many requirements including
Discrimination
Discrimination is allowed to be shown, however, overall the film must not endorse the discrimination in anyway
Drugs
Again, drug use can be shown but the film as a whole must not endorse it. Also easily accessible drug use must not be shown.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behavior should not go into detail, so it can not be repeat. What is allowed depends on context, realism and setting.
Language
Strong and mature language allowed. However frequency should be carefully considered.
Nudity
There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.
Sex
Sexual activity can be shown, as can verbal references to it. However, in depth sexual activity used just for sexual arousal is not allowed.
Threat
There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.
Violence
Strong gory images are not allowed, however strong violence can be shown without the focus on infliction of pain or injury. Talk of sexual violence is allowed, however actual sexual violence must be discreet.
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The BBFC then go onto say that an 18 must not make any violence look appealing.Sexual activity is allowed to be shown to a certain extent at which point it turns into a restricted 18.
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I have constructed this questionnaire in order to gauge what the general public enjoy about crime and gangster films, and also what they are already aware about in this specific genre.
Jake, the avatar above is what I deem to be the target audience of most crime or gangster films.
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Sources used to help this task include:
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http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/15
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http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/18
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WHAT HAVE I LEARNT?
During this task I have discovered who crime and gangster are often aimed at and how the directors and producers make sure it is suitable for this target. I have also learnt from my questionnaire what people expect from crime/gangster films, and their preconceived beliefs of certain aspects of the films in this genre, such as costumes, settings and props used. As a result of this I can use this information to aide my decision when picking costumes, settings, etc.
