Goodfellas Opening Sequence Analysis

At first we see a tracking shot of the car which allows us to see the dark and isolated location of the road, and we see that it is empty which suggests it is at night. Therefore it sets the tone of the film to dark and gloomy, which is conventional for mafia thrillers. It then cuts to a medium close up of all three actors and we see them wearing suits with slicked back hair which is also a common convention for mafia thriller films. This acts as an identifier for the audience as it allows them to notice that the film is a mafia film, while also adding to the realism of the film. During this shot there is extended camera time which puts focus on the diegetic synchronous sound of the rumbling in the boot, along with this sound we hear the diegetic dialogue of the characters cursing frequently, which adds to the dark and sadistic tone of the film. As the actors get out the car it cuts to a zoom in shot centred on the boot which places emphasis on whats inside, combined with the synchronous sound of the banging building up tension with the slow motion of the zoom. This cuts to a medium wide shot of two of the actors both with their hands on their weapons, in simultaneous use with extended camera time, which suggests that it is a violent film and this also follows thriller conventions. This then follows with a pan into eye line match cut with a slow zoom in to put further emphasis and build up tension of the scene and create a greater shock as the boot is opened and the injured man is seen. As the boot opens the man with the knife uses diegetic dialogue to express his anger by cursing and the diegetic synchronous sound of the knife stabbings adds to this effect of expressive anger, suggesting the path the film will lead to.

IMBD profile of films similar to ours and our target audience

IMDB profile - Goodfellas

VotesAverage

Males 837572 9.2

Females 120630 8.9

Aged under 18 3523 9.3

Males under 18 3029 9.3

Females under 18 473 8.8

Aged 18-29 412614 9.2

Males Aged 18-29 354880 9.3

Females Aged 18-29 54570 8.9

Aged 30-44 410469 9.2

Males Aged 30-44 360278 9.2

Females Aged 30-44 45769 8.9

Aged 45+ 94990 9.1

Males Aged 45+ 79361 9.1

Females Aged 45+ 14224 8.9

IMDb staff 82 9.1

Top 1000 voters 908 9.0

US users 210241 9.2

Non-US users 540029 9.2

IMDb users 1200979 9.2

IMDB profile - The God Father


VotesAverage

Males 851559 9.2

Females 123081 8.9

Aged under 18 3455 9.3

Males under 18 2971 9.3

Females under 18 467 8.8

Aged 18-29 414082 9.2

Males Aged 18-29 355766 9.3

Females Aged 18-29 55177 8.9

Aged 30-44 420223 9.2

Males Aged 30-44 368775 9.2

Females Aged 30-44 46880 8.9

Aged 45+ 97496 9.1

Males Aged 45+ 81448 9.1

Females Aged 45+ 14591 8.9

IMDb staff 88 9.1

Top 1000 voters 904 9.0

US users 212888 9.2

Non-US users 547677 9.2

 IMDb users  1227521 9.2

From an analysis of the imdb profile, it is clear that we can see who our target audience is. We can see that males are far more likely to watch this film than females, and in particular it is men over the age of 30. Therefore in order to appeal to our target audience our aim will be to cast it convincingly, to match conventions and to dress our actors in a manner that is suitable for the crime fiction genre. Locations must also be picked appropriately to fit in generically, for example we will use flashy cars, suits, and perhaps even a voice over quite like pulp fiction and goodfellas.

Films similar to our own

1. The Rise Of The Foot Soldier

Plot Summary (From imdb): Rise of the Footsoldier follows the inexorable rise of Carlton Leach from one of the most feared generals of the football terraces to becoming a member of a notorious gang of criminals who rampaged their way through London and Essex in the late eighties and early nineties.

This movie is based on the career criminal of Carlton Leach who was involved as one of the murderers in the Rettendon murderers. His character is portrayed as a hard core criminal who will do anything he feels like. This relates to our thriller as the mafia do the exact same but in bigger numbers and have much more power.

2. Goodfellas

Synopsis: Henry Hill is a gangster who commits robbery with two other gangsters who have higher ambitions. His partners kill off everyone else involved in the robbery and start to climb up the hierarchy of the mob.

This relates directly to our thriller. This is because our idea is very similar to the opening sequence of 'Goodfelles' as we have taken influence from it. The scene when the gangsters shoot the man in the boot is similar to what we will be trying to portray. As well as showing how the murderers who are part of the mafia believe that they have the ultimate power and can run the city.

3. Godfather

Synopsis: A chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. An attack on Vito Corleone which he barley survived, his youngest son, led Michael (The Godfather) into the steps of a bloody revenge.

'The Godfather' links to our idea as it is of the same sub-genre, that being crime-thriller. Additionally, the movie is based around a mafia family; in which our thriller is primarily based around as the father and son are the ones making the kill, whereas the mafia boss who is higher up in the family tree is directing the orders.

Real Life incidents and how they have influenced our thriller and characters within them

Real life Incident: 

1.Mafia Family (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/fbi-smashed-real-life-mafia-5329271)

"The DeCavalcante family now face charges of plotting murder, distributing drugs and promoting vice.

Suspects include reputed captain Charles Stango, 71, and 72-year-old Frank Nigro, said to be a consigliere, or adviser.

Court papers say the DeCavalcantes operate under the direction of New York’s Gambino crime family."

Sopranos is a Mafia based TV show influenced by the real life mafia family (Decavalcante) which have also inspired us to make a short thriller trailer on as well.

How it has influenced our idea and characters?

It has influenced our characters as the younger man was the son who first joined the family mafia a few years back but is now comfortable with the job. Whereas, the Mafia boss is the Uncle to the son and brother to the son’s father who lives the luxurious life in Thailand where his family members work below and for him, to make kills for large prices.

Additionally, the young man who was once joining the mafia family which you here in the voice over relates to the real life mafia family and how those real life people entered their family business, of course being a Mafia. 

2. The Rettendon Murders

"Steele, 66, was jailed in January 1998 with Jack Whomes for shooting dead three drug dealers in a Range Rover on a remote farm track in Rettendon, near Chelmsford." - Daily Mail

The Rettendon Murders links to our thriller because the murderers were of higher superiority to the drug dealers, therefore leading to their brutal killing. Just like our thriller, the mafia are of higher superiority and get paid to commit murders.