The document provides a detailed analysis of the conventions used in the trailer for a gangster film called "Gangster No.1". The summary analyzes key shots and aspects of mise-en-scene (costumes, props, lighting) that establish themes of violence, crime, and the hierarchy within the gang led by the character Freddie Mays. Dialogue and music are also described as conveying meaning about the plot and tone. Overall, the analysis finds that most elements conform to typical gangster film trailer conventions but some aspects like the racial makeup of the gang are unusual.

1. MOVIE TRAILER
ANALYSIS
By Zara Iqbal

2. The opening shot of the trailer shows the production company of the film while showings its
trademark logo.This is a common convention of a film trailer. Theproduction company is
also a British company therefore this is unusual since most films are normally produced by
American companies such as Warner Bros.

3. Shots of a chase is quickly showed in the trailer that show a small group of men
chasing a man down a balcony that belong to a blocks of flats. Furthermore this shot
show the theme of a thriller like chase. Therefore this is a typical convention of a
gangster film since these films often show scenes like these where the members of
a gang chase a member of their rival gang. Overall the mise en scene suchas the
costumes play an important part in this shot since, they are all wearing suits which
further enforce the theory that they are part of a gang or mafia.

4. The close up shot of the main character and the usages of mise en scene show a key
theme of a gangster trailer. For example an aspect of mise en scene such as a prop is
used. Since the main character is smoking a cigarette highlight the theme of drugs.
This is a common convention of a gangster trailer since usages of drugs such as weed
and cannabis are often included in these type of trailers.
Further more in the second scene shot the usage of mise en scene (costumes) clearly
show the viewers that this film is set in 1970s England due to the typical bob hair cut
and sparkly dresses that belong to that era. The use of audio (voice over) also stated
“London is my city” in the trailer which further support the fact that the film is based in
London.

5. In this midshot the viewer get to see the boss of the gang. There are clear
indicators that he is a character with high authority such as his laid back posture
and, he is holding an alcoholic beverage carelessly in his hand. The mise en scene
(props) seem to be very modern and up to date e.g the plush sofas that he is
sitting on. Therefore this signify that this character is wealthy which is a common
convention in a gangster film. Also earlier on in trailer he is the first character for
their name to be reveal to the viewers which was “Freddie Mays.” Therefore this
signify that Freddie May may hold an important part in the plot in the film overall
since it seem like he is the boss of the gang.

6. In this wideshot Freddie May is
shown standing in front of a
burning building. However
surprisingly his body posture e.g
relaxed shoulders indicate that
he isn’t scared or shocked at all.
Instead it explicit to the viewer
that the character is feeling quite
the opposite of that.
Then a close up shot is used to
show the Freddie’s May face .
His facial expression show a
slight hint of amusement while
watching the building being burn.
However a second later he
simply pop a cigarette in his
mouth almost to mock the event
that is happening right in front of
him. This indicate that Freddie
May is the suspect that started
the fire. Furthermore this show
the viewers that he is ruthless
and have no mercy.

7. Once again Freddie May is shown in both of
these mid shots. The first mid shot show that he
is talking to his subordinates since he’s standing
in front of them. This body movement imply to the
viewers that Freddie May doesn’t see his
subordinates as his equals since he is in charge
of the gang. Hence this may be the reason why
he is towering over them when he is addressing
them to show the power and dominance he have
over the two.
The second shot show that Freddie May
slammed his glass into one of the men. This
action show the viewers that he is a violent boss
that will act violence towards anyone despite
without evening being provoke. Therefore this is
a normal convention of a gangster trailer since
scenes of violence are normally showed.
Furthermore the dialogue (sound) that is used
before this shot was that Freddie May said “
when you work for me you do things my way, no
independence.” Therefore the dialogue imply that
he was using his subordinate as an example to
what would happen if you disobey Freddie May.
Hence this mean that Freddie May used
intimidation and fear in this shot to warn his
subordinates.

8. This mid shot show a member of the gang placing a gun inside his waist belt. This usage of
one aspect of mise en scene (props) is a common convention of a gangster film since the
gun show the viewers that the film have a violence element to its.
Also throughout this shot the audio that is used which is a light beat seventy music signify
that this is a normal object (the gun) for a member of a gang to carry around with him as
well. Another different type of audio that is used in this shot is dialogue. For example the
main character that is narrating the trailer say “we’re fucking princes,” when he is placing the
gun inside his waist belt. The usage of swear words is a typical convention of a gangster film
since this type of language is used throughout various gangster films.

9. Throughout these four shots the viewer is introduced to the members of the gang and the viewer
can clearly see what they look like. However what is unusual is that 3 out of the 4 members are
white whereas only 1 member is black. This isn’t a typical convention of a gangster film since
most characters that play gang members in these films are normally POC. For example American
Gangsta is a gangster film that contain mainly POC (mainly Black people) as their main
characters.

10. In these two close up shots an
aspect of mise en scene (props)
highlight another key themes of a
gangster film trailer. For example
the first shot of the money being
burnt by a lighter could signify the
undying hunger that gangsters
have for money. Therefore this is
why a lot of gangster films have
scenes where gangs are doing
drug dealing since it’s a quick and
easy way to earn money.
The mise en scene (props) in the
second shot show the viewers a
hint of a gambling game that is
going on. This is a common
convention of a gangster film since
quite a few mafia film have
gambling scenes.

11. An aspect of mise en scene (props) signify that
the trailer have a violence element to its due to
the large gun that is being hold by the main
character. Along with the sound (dialogue) being
used when the character say “Oh I got ambition,”
while walking through the hallway. Therefore this
hint to the viewers that the character is planning
to threaten or murder someone by using that
gun. Furthermore the blue lighting that is used in
this shot is unusual. Since the colour blue is
normally used to calm people down rather than
the colour to be associate with violence.
However this may have been done on purpose
to signify to the viewers that this is the calm
before the war.
This mid shot show an intense scene from the
film since it show the viewers the main
character’s reaction towards, Freddie May
challenging anyone to take his position away as
the head of the gang. However the laid backed
body language of the main reaction show the
viewers that this character is ready to accept the
challenge.

12. In this wide shot a character is kneeling over almost like he
is in pain that may cause him to faint. This theory is
supported since the character placed one of his hand onto
the marble column to prevent him from falling down. Also the
sound (sound effect) of a gunshot is used before he start to
kneel over. Therefore this heavily implied that the character
was shot in the stomach. Overall this is a common
convention of a gangster film trailer since gun violence
related scene is used in countless gangster trailers such as
Black Mass.

13. Overall the trailer end with two final
shots. In the first shot show the
weapon that the main character is
planning to use on someone.
The second shot is a close up shot of
his face while sound is used (dialogue)
when he say “You ready?” Whoever
the character is saying this to is
unclear since there is no shot that
show the other person that he is
talking to. Therefore this create
suspension within the trailer that
should catch the viewer’s attention.
The music (sound) is also different
compare to the upbeat 70s music that
was being used earlier on in the trailer.
The current music that is used in this
shot sound sinister and deadly. That it
almost as if the trailer is
foreshadowing an intense scene that
is in the film.

14. Then a transition effect (blackout) is used as the final shot is replaced with a
black background while the title of the film appear on its. The bold text stand
out against the background and automatically catches the viewer’s attention.
The usage of red that the letters No.1 is typed in places an emphasises on the
letters as well. It also relate to the plot of the trailer that was shown since the
trailer clearly show the viewers that the main character will challenge the boss
of the gang in the actual film. Therefore Gangster No.1 could mean that there
can only be one gangster.