There is a blurred out view of Bank underground station where one can just pick out the dark sky and the headlights of a train. The location shortly comes into focus and this is used as an establishing shot. This shot sets the location for the audience. The fact that this scene is being set in the London underground at night suggests danger as it is commonly known that this is a dangerous area to be alone in at night. This is foreshadowing that danger is ahead.
When the men are coming up the stairs it is a mid-shot. It is clear who the dominant male is of the group as his is ahead of the others around him when mounting the stairs. A significant moment is a normal camera angle where a standard average male figure (coming back from work) appears to be intimidated by this group. This tells the audience that these men have a presence when entered a room and people around them can feel it. Their costumes are revealed and each of them is wearing a pair of trainers. The outfits of the men are casual, with the majority carrying hoodies suggesting a sporty outwear and there singing is a classic football anthem. They are noticeable, loud and oblivious. This shows the audience that they must have arrogant characteristics that makes them think as a group they can do what they want and not be told otherwise. This reinforces their quality of intimidation through the eyes of a normal pedestrian.
An over-the-shoulder shot is used which is often used during conversations. The audience can clearly see that the two groups opposing one another are enemies. The mise-en-scene here is clever as the train tracks are the only things keeping them apart although they are dying to fight. Close-ups of the two dominant male leaders of each group are used to show their emotions of hatred. When an extreme close-up of the train separates the two groups the camera still focuses on the opposing team showing their resistance to backing down. A POV shot of a possible witness is used to show the reactions of an individual passing by and the landing of a victim who has been pushed against a telephone booth.
The camera now is following various couples beating one another up. The camera is handheld and shaky, which for some viewers this makes this scene difficult to watch. The scene / director focuses on specific significant moments during the fight scene between certain people. The majority of these shots are all close ups to see the emotions on each of the fighters’ faces. However, at times when a weapon such as a bin is used to attack someone, a mid-shot is used to fit the shot in the frame. The last attack is shot from below, from the POV of the telephone booth. This creates a shocking effect that grabs the attention of the viewers, as the glass appears to be shattering on to the viewer himself. It then fades to black suggesting this is the end of this violent and gory fight scene between the football ‘hooligans’.
Screen Shots – Green Street
Establishing shot setting a location –Bank station, in the dark at the London underground could represent danger.
Mid-shot, showing the dominant characters and the possible ‘leaders’ of the group. Shabby and troublemaker look.
How the men are portrayed in normal individuals eyes. Shows intimidation of the needless to say older man.
Camera over the shoulder suggests conversations are happening. Again Male domination – He is in the middle of the shot with equal amount of guys on either of his side. His hand gestures suggest he is talking on all there behalf. Feet are all over the yellow line portraying no fear.
The train has separated the two groups making it a winning obstacle. The extreme close-up of the train emphasises this. However, again the male figure behind standing his ground. Suggesting no fear and persistence. This tells the viewer there is more to this scene than just a random fight.
Close-up shows the first traits of violence and vulgarity within this scene and film. This scene has been building up towards this fight and this shot portrays it at its worst.
Sound starts immediately when the credits are put on screen to what sounds like ambient and diegetic sounds of electricity, the London underground trains and male screams. This slowly gets louder as the groups of men get closer to the camera whis ia good use of sound perspective. The dialogue starts with the dominating male Pete who is also represented as the main character. The opposing ‘gang’s’ leader reacts with a reply and slowly the other characters surrounding them join in, in the verbal abuse at one and others groups. The dialogue’s energy is lifted when they start shouting and the tone is louder creating more intimidation. The diegetic sound of the train enters the shot and a drum music sound starts suggesting a drum roll introducing what is going to unfold from this argument. This is followed by a strong thunder of someone being bashed against a telephone booth. All dialogue is of men screaming at each other and crying of pain. Non-diegetic sounds of detailed punch and smack noises are refined making this fight scene all the more compelling. The constant drumming of the non-diegetic sound continues in the background still creating more tension throughout this scene as if to be the strong beat of a heart.
The scene ends with a violent smash of a head against a glass telephone booth window suggesting his death and the win of the battle. This instantly cuts to a fade to black. Telling the audience the scene has now come to an end.
This is very different from our genre but is a useful contrast as it shows us what we need to avoid:
- settings can dictate the atmosphere
- the filming style of this kind of social realism has a much more direct feel - more movement and energy in the camera. We will need to keep the camera quite still
- lighting - keeping ours bright will help create the tone
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