Analysing an opening sequence: football factory
Genre
Football factory belongs to the genre British gangster/ football violence. When watching this film it is evident within the first 5 minuets that nearly all the generic conventions expected when watching a film like this film are fulfilled. Violence is probably the most evident within the opening sequence, lots of old footage of football riots and police confrontations are shown from the start of the credits and this immediately shows the viewer what they are going to be expecting when they delve into the life of violent firms in London. Lots of images of violence from CCTV footage and stills with suspect hooligans circled show us these men are dangerous and wanted by the law. These images and video clips are played quickly and overlapping with other “stories” of crimes committed by football thugs which show us it is a regular occurrence and topical in the news at the time. The opening sequence also introduces us to our hero, Danny dyer or “Tommy Johnson” as he is known in the film. The first time we meet him he is on his back covered in blood being beaten up, this is a flash forward a vision of what is in store for our main man, and that he is deep in the confrontations of the firms. He comes across as a normal bloke, typical of the sort of person involved in these football fights. His character is very loud, cheeky, violent and mouthy, but this is expected from a normal Londoner. He describes himself as “ a normal bored bloke approaching 30” just looking for something to liven up his otherwise dull lifestyle. Fighting is a release for him he gets a “buzz” from beating people senseless which he cant find anywhere else other than in his Firm, on a Saturday, going to a football match. He talks of this type of behaviour as a normal occurrence its just what he does he has done it from a young age and its his life. These types of activities to the average person would be appalling but because he gives his reasons for his actions and some of them are believable he becomes an anti-hero and immediately liked from the start.
Film language
The mise-en-scene is very important when making a film like this and it is crucial in the way Football Factory is shot. The clothes that Tommy Johnson wears are important when fixing him in place within the gang/firm world. He is dressed up in jeans all of the time with flash shoes and ladled t-shirts and coats, mostly from a footballers fans favourite shop stone island, Henri Lloyd and Burberry. The setting of a film like this is important to improve validity and how real it looks. This film is shot from the streets in and around the Football stadium which the Chelsea firm are visiting. In this case a pub and surrounding streets of Tottenham hotspurs ground. Not a lot of props are used in the opening sequence of this film apart from the mobile phone. The firm use this to keep organised and to keep in touch with each other when organising a fight.
When we first meet Tommy a slow mo headshot is used to give us a good look at him (walking towards the camera) and what he is wearing but also at the time of this his narrative is being spoken so the slow mo makes us concentrate on what he is saying, as there is not a lot happening in the shot. Other important shots are done when Tommy is meeting up with his firm. This is done by the use of mobiles. When each person speaks the camera switches to a fast panning shot following the group of men walking down the road, this shows urgency. A CCTV shot is also used when following Tommy’s gang down the road. This grainy blurry shot is effective showing the dangerous nature of these men and that they are being watched by the police, this also adds suspense.
Other camera shots that I think are important are those used in the first fight scene. The movement of the camera is successful when it zooms in on a big punch or kick during a fight to give the viewer a better look at what is going on. Other shots like the birds eye view are used to give an overall look on the whole fight and to see just how many grown men there are scrapping for no reason. Slow mo is again used on Tommy during the fight to show when he gets punched as he is a main character any punch on him is worth seeing.
Sound is very important in this film especially at the beginning when the old footage of previous riots and police fights are being shown. The type of music used to accompany these pictures is fast dance music almost rave. This type of adrenaline filled music goes well with a film about fighting because dangerous situations get the blood flowing and the adrenaline pumping. Throughout this music there is the odd shout from an angry man, which helps to anchor the images.
I have learned a lot about the gang members through the non-verbal language they use. For example they walk with a hard man swagger with an almost arrogant expression on their faces like they are not scared by anything, which gives the whole group a menacing look.
Narrative
Genre
Football factory belongs to the genre British gangster/ football violence. When watching this film it is evident within the first 5 minuets that nearly all the generic conventions expected when watching a film like this film are fulfilled. Violence is probably the most evident within the opening sequence, lots of old footage of football riots and police confrontations are shown from the start of the credits and this immediately shows the viewer what they are going to be expecting when they delve into the life of violent firms in London. Lots of images of violence from CCTV footage and stills with suspect hooligans circled show us these men are dangerous and wanted by the law. These images and video clips are played quickly and overlapping with other “stories” of crimes committed by football thugs which show us it is a regular occurrence and topical in the news at the time. The opening sequence also introduces us to our hero, Danny dyer or “Tommy Johnson” as he is known in the film. The first time we meet him he is on his back covered in blood being beaten up, this is a flash forward a vision of what is in store for our main man, and that he is deep in the confrontations of the firms. He comes across as a normal bloke, typical of the sort of person involved in these football fights. His character is very loud, cheeky, violent and mouthy, but this is expected from a normal Londoner. He describes himself as “ a normal bored bloke approaching 30” just looking for something to liven up his otherwise dull lifestyle. Fighting is a release for him he gets a “buzz” from beating people senseless which he cant find anywhere else other than in his Firm, on a Saturday, going to a football match. He talks of this type of behaviour as a normal occurrence its just what he does he has done it from a young age and its his life. These types of activities to the average person would be appalling but because he gives his reasons for his actions and some of them are believable he becomes an anti-hero and immediately liked from the start.
Film language
The mise-en-scene is very important when making a film like this and it is crucial in the way Football Factory is shot. The clothes that Tommy Johnson wears are important when fixing him in place within the gang/firm world. He is dressed up in jeans all of the time with flash shoes and ladled t-shirts and coats, mostly from a footballers fans favourite shop stone island, Henri Lloyd and Burberry. The setting of a film like this is important to improve validity and how real it looks. This film is shot from the streets in and around the Football stadium which the Chelsea firm are visiting. In this case a pub and surrounding streets of Tottenham hotspurs ground. Not a lot of props are used in the opening sequence of this film apart from the mobile phone. The firm use this to keep organised and to keep in touch with each other when organising a fight.
When we first meet Tommy a slow mo headshot is used to give us a good look at him (walking towards the camera) and what he is wearing but also at the time of this his narrative is being spoken so the slow mo makes us concentrate on what he is saying, as there is not a lot happening in the shot. Other important shots are done when Tommy is meeting up with his firm. This is done by the use of mobiles. When each person speaks the camera switches to a fast panning shot following the group of men walking down the road, this shows urgency. A CCTV shot is also used when following Tommy’s gang down the road. This grainy blurry shot is effective showing the dangerous nature of these men and that they are being watched by the police, this also adds suspense.
Other camera shots that I think are important are those used in the first fight scene. The movement of the camera is successful when it zooms in on a big punch or kick during a fight to give the viewer a better look at what is going on. Other shots like the birds eye view are used to give an overall look on the whole fight and to see just how many grown men there are scrapping for no reason. Slow mo is again used on Tommy during the fight to show when he gets punched as he is a main character any punch on him is worth seeing.
Sound is very important in this film especially at the beginning when the old footage of previous riots and police fights are being shown. The type of music used to accompany these pictures is fast dance music almost rave. This type of adrenaline filled music goes well with a film about fighting because dangerous situations get the blood flowing and the adrenaline pumping. Throughout this music there is the odd shout from an angry man, which helps to anchor the images.
I have learned a lot about the gang members through the non-verbal language they use. For example they walk with a hard man swagger with an almost arrogant expression on their faces like they are not scared by anything, which gives the whole group a menacing look.
Narrative
Narrative is used in this film firstly when discussing Danny Dyers character and why he is involved in this type of gang. His accent is important in this narrative as he speaks with a very convincing London cockney lad tone. This choice of style is essential when convincing the audience that this man is part of the Chelsea Firm. In relation to the narrative is positioned as if the audience was an innocent onlooker just watching this man as he walks around or on the sidelines as he takes part in a fight. This gives the impression that the public are stopping to watch these events unfold in horror. When the main character is describing himself it gives a sense of excitement to the film as you cant wait for him to do the things he describes himself as enjoying and taking part in.
Representation & ideology
There are many different social groups represented in the beginning of this film. There are the top men who have been in the game for a long time like the “major” the leader of the firm, these men are early to late 40’s and hard as nails. Then there are the mid 20’s to late 30’s age group, which out hero Tommy is in. this section make up the main bulk of the firm and are always involved in the drug dealing/taking and the scraps which they find themselves in. then finally there are the up and coming youth of the firm. This portion of the group are always trying to prove themselves to the older members, showing they have what it takes to be in their Firm. This section are also the runners who do all the stealing and scout out the perimeters for cops.
There is only one main belief when dealing with men like this and with our main character Tommy. This is do what you have to do to make your life as exciting and worth living as possible, and if this means you have to go around looking to smash someone’s face in then so be it. As he says Tottenham away, love it”. He’s not looking forward to the match; it’s the fight, which really gives him that buzz which he is looking for.
The characteristics of Tommy are treated very playfully. He comes across as the original cheeky chappy who has the gift of the gab and very popular with women. This immediately makes us like him as he makes us laugh, with his quick one-liners and brash exterior.
Media audiences
The target audience of this film is most probably aimed at young males aged between 16 and 25 who are of the thrill seeking nature. This is mainly due to the films thuggish nature, and that males of this age group are impressed by football, fighting and drugs. Those of a slightly older or younger generation will find different things more appealing. There is a lot of money to be made from this age group and that is probably why it is aimed at them. They are the ones who will go and watch the films more than once, and buy it when it comes out on DVD. There is more of a profit to be made of this age group than any other.
The most probable way this text is read is of the view that this is a world someone can easily be sucked into, as it is a real story and so it is interesting to see how other people live their lives, and how they “enjoy” themselves on a Saturday.
I as a British male teenager really enjoy watching this type of film for many reasons. One is because I really love football and to see into the British gangster side of some football fans is something that I would enjoy to watch. This is mostly due to my age. At my age things that I want to watch over and over are things that make me laugh and grab my attention away from the boring things in life, like writing essays and push me straight into a world which is far more exciting, like that of these gangsters. My background is also a factor; I am being brought up in a very middle class, middle of the road type of way, with no real problems or excitement. It is nice to see what else goes on around the world and especially somewhere so close like London. Because this is based on real events it is even more interesting as these things actually happened.
Institutional context
Yes a star has been used in this film; Danny Dyer has been used in many films just like this, as he is perfect to play a British Londoner involved in dodgy dealings. He has been in films like “The business” which is also deals with British Gangsters. His accent is important when making this film he plays these types or roles very well and gives credibility to the film.
This film was produced by momentum pictures an industrial film making company. I think this film was mainly aimed at a very British audience because of the nature of where it is and what it revolves around. Football. This is a very British sport and so British people will find this film more appealing. This suggests that not a lot of international advertising would have been done as audiences from other countries will not be able to understand its meaning.
