How my film presents specific social groups

In my film i have represented particular social groups very stereo-typically. For example one of our main characters (Don), as shown on the right is shown to be in his late teens and is a very troublesome young man. The clothing of which he wears is derogatory and supposedly known to be used by people who are 'up to no good' we specifically chose the clothing of which we did due to the fact our film is a Crime and Gangster film and it helps us create a more authentic look. As you can see from the image on the right our character has a very laid back and comical attitude, although when it comes to acting he becomes much more focused. This allowed us to work well with him as an actor as he followed our instructions easily and did not make a fuss. With Brook's clothing that he wears outside of his role we could tell he would be a major asset, along with his flat-peak caps and tracksuit tops he becomes a major part in playing the role of a young 'crimester'.


Our other main character is Sam Northmore, is also portrayed as a 'hoodlum' we do this in a very similar way of which we did with Brook with the costume and facial expressions although we did add one extra attribute to it as we scripted that he sparks a cigarette. This adds to the genre as well as creating another stereotype in our film as in our generation teens are known to be ' hoodie wearing smokers'. It also gives off a question of which the audience can answer which is if it is illegal drugs or not? We did not create the look of a 'joint' or 'spliff' as we didn't want the films BBFC rating to be increased to an 18.


From looking at how we have represented the particular groups in which we have it has allowed me to reconcile the fact that we are focusing on the genre Crime and Gangster and therefore understand some of the concepts of which this bring.
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Conventions of a Real Media text

The conventions of a Crime and gangster film usually consist of guns, crime and violence. We have kept to the conventions of our chosen genre to keep the authenticity to high level. Another convention of the genre Crime and Gangster is to have troublesome 'crimesters', our actors are both dressed like a typical teen but are not chosen to perfection as are both groomed very well, therefore creating a classy look of which we did not want to portray in our film. We did try to stop one of our main actors from shaving for a week or two to try and make him look like a more ferocious actor but he could not handle the upkeep.

The images on the right are of our two main actors, we have chosen them because we know that they do obtain very high quantity wardrobes and knew that they would have something which could be applied to the genre of our film. They are both wearing hoodies, as we know teenagers are very commonly known to wear hoodies and stereo-typically known to be 'up to no good'.


The setting of our film is very well kept to the generic conventions of the genre of which we have chosen as it is based around an old abandoned building where there is graffiti'd upon walls and smashed windows, thus creating a scary look to the setting. This is also good for the audience as it adds to the authenticity of the film making it a more believable text and links to the conventions of a traditional crime and gangster film.


Along with all of these attributes coming together to form a good crime and gangster film we have also kept with the conventions by keeping the lighting very dull and given it a sinister look, also adding to the tension as it seems as if night is coming and this is always when 'shit goes down' as said by many actors in crime and gangster films. We have also introduced a quiet song to the film  as there has always got to be sound throughout the film, it also creates a sort of mood to the opening of the film to label it as a 'gangster film' the song of which we have chosen has a beat of which is in unison with the footsteps of one of our  main actors thus leading the audience into the film along with the main character. The elements, i think, come together very well in our two minute opening as from watching it myself can create tension and its always the best thing for someones own film to make them feel as if they've done well. 


We have challenged the attributes of the genre by adding our own 'twist to the scene, to do do this we have focused a lot more on the plot of the story line other than the action and fight scenes. We think this helps us a lot as some major crime and gangster films seem to dwell on action and therefore lose viewer interest. By focusing more on the plot it allow us to create a sort of tension and allows the viewer to become involved with the film and feel more as if they are a part of it instead of just watching from home. 

Costume Board

Our main characters have been given the choice of wearing jeans or tracksuit bottoms. We gave them these two options as both of them are stereo-typically known for being worn by teens. Don and Mani both chose to wear baggy jeans as they thought it would add to the theme of crime and gangster as they both thought that tracksuit bottoms, if not worn correctly can either look tacky or amateur.


Both of our main characters both went with the decision on Adidas trainers as they thought they had recently been seen as a teenager branded shoe. This adds to the authenticity of the film and can make it look more believable, especially if all the characters wear them because it could then be called a 'trend'.


Mani, when first introduced is wearing baggy jeans, Adidas trainers and a blue Sergio Tacchini hoodie. The hoodies play a major role in our film as we all know that teenagers are also stereo-typically known for being 'hoodlums'. When seeing a boy of 15-18 with a hood up walking when there is no weather issues you tend to think that he is trouble straight off.
Don, is also portrayed as being a so called 'hoodlum' with his baggy jeans, Adidas trainers, black hoodie and Red cap. All of the items of clothing we have used in the film we helped our actors specially choose to come together as being an authentic looking crime and gangster film. From doing this i learnt how big time directors and script writers make there films look more realistic and how they use Mise-en-scene to create a realistic,  good look.

Settings board

The setting in which we have chosen is behind an abandoned building, the floor is plain dirt and you can see the side of the wall, to show what the building was like. In this case the wall is dirty and the windows have fencing on them to stop people getting in, also giving off a dark feeling. One of the main reasons we chose this setting is because it looks like a place of which crime and gangster scenes are set, it is just off of a main road so there will be background noise of cars and lights flashing through the bushes as the cars go past. The angle of which we have filmed it makes it look like the building is set in a dark and sinister place where nobody would ever think to look. This makes it easier for fights and gunshots to happen with it seeming more realistic.

The other main setting is around the corner from here (to the right of the shot) the reason of which we have chosen this is because of the graffiti'd upon walls. This adds to setting the scene as a crime and gangster film as it looks as if they are used to hanging around in places like this. It makes the audience think that it is a place of which they like to hang out making them look like troublesome teens. We placed the camera towards the wall to make sure that the audience gets the type of setting that we are in. Whick also gives a good view of the grafitid upon walls.

Storyboard

storyboard, voice over complete NEW from Elliot Blatchford on Vimeo.

Here is our storyboard, over the top of the images i have produced a voiceover which explains what is happenning in each shot and what type of shot it is. From doing this i have learnt that i can plan my own film through split shots, this is important for a film as you can then plan how you are going to lay out the shots and help to find a similar setting.

Prop Description

The image above is of the BB gun we used as a real gun in the film. We needed this as basically all Crime and Gangster films have gun fights and just a general use of guns in them. The gun is used as a dramatical device and adds to the film being a more believable Crime and Gangster themed film. The gun is used by Mani and when shot has edited in sound effects of a real gun shot. We chose this specific BB gun as it looks more realistic than most others, this makes sure that the flm does not have a 'taccy' sense to it.

The picture above is of the phone used in the film. Don pulls this out of his pocket when recieving a message from Mani, this is a good prop and is used well as most teenagers communicate via mobile phone nowadays.

We use this prop as a set up to a part in the intro that creates suspence. We use this prop as he recieves a text message, the message creates a sort of build of tension and is used well in our film by having a close-up shot on the screen so you can read the text.

Audience Research

Audience Research complete from Elliot Blatchford on Vimeo.

From doing this task i have learnt that our film needs to contain some of the things the interviewees included in there replies to our question 'What would you expect to see in a crime and gangster film?'. We would do this because if people expect to see certain things in a crime and gangster film then we would have to cater for this to create a believable film which creates the same mood of which the best crime and gangster films have done in the past.

Actor Profiles

Name: Brook Keelan McGechie 

Age: 17

Occupation: Full time Education

Bio: Mani is another unemployed, 19 year old who keeps himself on edge by committing crimes daily. After finding out that his dad beats his mum he also turned into a life of drugs and crime with a hatred for his dad. Don and Mani both became close when they admitted there troubles but they also never fail to hurt the ones they love the most. Mani is the more involved of the two and does not care about consequences. As mentioned in my other character profile they are both into hardcore drugs and do not seem to worry about how bad things could turn for them.

Appearance: Wears baggy jeans, hoodies and thick trainers.

Personality: Mani is a crime loving teen who doesnt hesitate to star a fight on anyone who looks at him funny.

Him and Don (Donald)are seen as partners in crime due to there outgoing attitude and the fact that they barely ever leave each others side... but when he does, things go bad.

The image on the right is of one of our main characters Mani (Emmanuel) played by Brook McGechie. We have chosen him as he attends the same school as us and is in our media class therefore it isnt hard to get hold of him if we need to film. Another reason of which we chose Brook is because he has a 'teenage crime life' look about him, this should also add to how believable it is.

Name: Samuel Northmore

Age: 17

Occupation: Submarine Engineer/Part time farmer.

Bio: Don is an unemployed, 19 year old crimester who is always up to no good. When his parents split up when he was 12 he turned into a life of drugs and crime. When 'hanging' with Emmanuel (Mani) they never fail to cause trouble and get on the bad side of the whole city. With both of them into hardcore drugs he isn't the usual teenager you would think to see on the streets.

Appearance: Tends to wear tracksuit bottoms, Hoodies, Flat caps and Adidas trainers.

Personality: Don goes at life with a 'do what you like' attitude and has an hatred towards everyone bar Mani. He sees life as a joke and doesnt care about what people thinks about him.

The image on the right is of one of our main actors Sam Northmore. He will be playing the character Don (Donald) who is 'partners in crime' with Mani (Emmanuel). We have chosen Sam to be one of the characters in our film as he fills the role very well and is also reliable, this is very important to our film as we will need to have actors ready to be filmed when we need them. With the intimidating look Sam can give off he fills the roll well as it will make it more believable, keeping the audience 'in the moment' all throughout the film.

Script

It is set around the back of a abandoned building.


Mani comes around the corner in his baggy jeans, with his hood up. Hes holding a gun, checks the ammo and places it in the back of his trousers. He walks up to the corner of the building and peaks around the corner to see whats happenning.


When looking around the corner he sees Don, hes standing outside some doors which have been grafiti'd upon. Don is wearing jeans, a hoodie and a flat peak cap with his hood up and is sparking up a spliff.


As Mani turns back from looking at Don he takes his phone out of his pocket and sends Don a text to take his attention away from the surroundings, as he looks down and reads the text Mani walks over to Don and Don realises.

Don: ''Wassup Mani, where you been at bro?''

Mani: ''Dont worry about that man''

Don: ''Ah, alright... Wha'son?''

Mani attacks Don and puts him to the ground, as he pulls him back up Mani pins Don up again grafiti'd upon double doors.

Mani: ''You shouldn't have got us into this shit man, this is too far''

Don: ''What the fuck are you talking about Mani''

Mani: ''You should have just given him the money, now i've got to do this!''

As Mani struggles to hold back tears of anger Don apologises whilst crying.

Don: ''Please Mani, Im sorry''

Mani pulls the gun from the back of his trousers out and places it to the side of Dons head.

Mani: ''Im sorry Don, goodbye''

Mani pulls the trigger and leaves Don  in a puddle of his own blood whilst crying on the step beside him.

As time goes back it shows Don and Mani meeting under a subway.

Mani: ''Wha'son blad, ive got a job for us''

Don: ''Count me in man''

What can I include on my film?

The mass media in the UK is regulated. This means that legal bodies have been set up to tell you what age certification your film is and what attributes consist to have this certification. These are set up, usually by the government, to protect the public and avoid them seeing abusive and harmful footage.

In my film I may include minor drug use, but i do know that i must not promote drugs or encourage drug use, i shall not do this as it will increase the certification of my film to an 18 rating. Other things such as misuse of easily accessible substances such as aerosols and solvents are unlikely to be acceptable as it can encourage people to do this.

I also found out that Strong language in a 15 certification film may be frequently used. 'The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt') is acceptable if justified by the context' according to the BBFC guidelines. This is good for our film as we do not use the strongest of terms in our film only strong language such as 'fuck'.

'Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.' W also found this on the BBFC guidelines page, this shows that we can have strong violence throughout our film but we shall not dwell on violence (basically meaning no torture). These guidelines help us to create an image of what we can and cant have in our film due to the certification restrictions.

Target Audience

From doing this I learnt that when filming we know what language to use and what specifications to add to our film to make them suited to our target audience. It also gives us an outline of what the limit is of alcohol and drug abuse to make sure that it doesn't go too far and turn into an 18 as it is going to be mainly targeted to a mid teen audience.

Target audience

We think our video would appeal to a young/ student type audience (late teens to mid twenties). This is mainly down to the genre and content of the film.

The style

The style of our film is generalised as crime and gangster. The majority of the watchers are young and modern.  Crime and gangster films are  notoriously known for its fights and drug use. The genre was originally formed with just specific attributes such as crime and drug use.  This allowing the audience to sit back knowing what type of things they will see in the film. This would not narrow down the target audience as many people originally enjoyed the thought of thrillers and crime, Whereas now adults/old people may find these circumstances of film intimidating and dangerous.

The video

The video is based in a city, during both day and night, capturing what type of environment they are in to set the scene. As we set the scene we will create a set target audience as people who live in cities and busy towns will feel more intrigued to watch thinking that it could happen in there area. Our main character will be a modern town boy, who dresses as a modern supposive 'gangster'. Appealing to a late teen audience.

Initial Textual Analysis

Momento- 2 Minutes.

·        Sound- String, Negative mood, minor key, adagio, double bass/cello, bit of major, Polaroid flash, bullet hitting the floor (in reverse), gun shot. These are all to set the scene and to give a dark, gloomy mood.

·        Camera Shots-  Close up of undeveloping photo,  mid close-up of man with photo going back into his camera, close-up of dead man, close up of shell rolling back towards the dead mans body, close-up of blood, as the rewinding speeds up the shots speed up, cutting between the dead man and the murderer (Makes the audience worried and wondering why this has all happened?)

·        Characters- Central protagonist (well dressed, suit), dead man (casual jacket, suit trousers). Both well dressed so they look like they are in the well paid band of criminals. I estimate them to be around 30-40.

·        Plot- Starts with a Polaroid picture losing the pixels other than gaining them, photo goes back into Polaroid camera, blood starts to go back into the dead mans body, shell goes back into body and then into gun, dead man becomes alive and shouts.

·        Other- Black screen with Blue credits (symbolises a cold and sinister beginning, gives a feeling that something bad is going to happen.) The opening shots are of a photo that he has just taken of the dead body (to show that he has to prove his death, maybe symbolises that he is working for someone)

·        Genre- We can tell that this is a psychological thriller because of the way of which it pans out for the first 2 minutes.

Snatch- 2 minutes

·        Sound- Commentary of Jason Statham (Giving a brief outline of the plot and who two of the characters are in the shot.)

·        Camera Shots- Close up of back of head, followed by panning upwards to show a mid shot of the two main characters. Close up of the two main characters, switching between them both. Switched to new setting, a close up of security camera screen.

·        Characters- Turkish- boxing promoter (more dominant off the pair), Tommy (partners, known each other since they were young.). Turkish helps to keep Tommy out of trouble. Tommy likes to think that he is a lot better than what he is, this is known by what Turkish was telling us about the lie of which he tells people about him being named after a gun. Two security guards and some imposters dressed as Jewish people.

·        Plot- Turkish starts to go off on a tangent about diamonds and how much he knows about diamonds. Gives us an idea about the plot being about stealing diamonds.        

• Genre- Crime and gangster genre shown by attire and voices

·        Other- Fades into first shot.

From this I have learnt many different camera shots and effects I can use in my own film opening. All of the effects used in these well-known crime and gangster films come together to create a great way to keep the audience intrigued, if i use some of the effects used by them my opening could be formed very well.

Synopsis

Synopsis

Donald (Don) and Emmanuel (Mani) are smoking illegal substances, whilst unknowingly getting into a lot of illegal deals. Undercover cop Roger has a vendetta against the pair as they are leading youngsters into a criminal lifestyle with the pair’s extensive drug and alcohol abuse. It won’t take long before they entail in clashes and gunfights. Will Rodger ever get Mani and Don off the streets?

Beginning: Don and Mani are two general G’s that are known by everyone in the hood but especially by Rodger, the head officer of the neighbourhood. He already wants to put the two boys away in prison and is sure they are up to something.

Don and Mani have been doing a lot of little crimes and Rodger can guess it’s them.

Middle: Don and Mani get more confident with themselves but they begin to lose trust with everyone around them. They end up getting into a big fight and killing someone. Rodger hears about a murder and knows that it will be the two boys so sets out how to get them.

End: The boys and Rodger have a confrontation and a gun fight between the boys and Rodger kicks off. The boys hit Rodger with one of the shots and wounds but don’t kill him. They then kill Rodger.

The end.

Codes and Conventions of the Genre

From researching this i learnt what the typical attributes crime and gangster & comedy film genres include. It gave me ideas of what to include in my film as it tells me what the genres include. When researching examples of the film genres we watched the openings of the films to see how they create a mood for the rest of the film, this was great for us as many of the effects they use are available to us and will help to make our film the best it can be.

Preliminary Task

Elliot & Wills Prelim Task from Elliot Blatchford on Vimeo.

From this i learnt some editing techniques such as match on action. I also learnt other camera shots such as over the shoulder shots and found out that making a film isnt just about hitting record and filming, it takes many different camera angles and a variation of shots.