Analysis of Opening Sequence 'Green Street'

Analysis of Opening Sequence
Green Street, Lexi Alexander, 2005

From this opening sequence of ‘Green Street’ it is difficult to really pinpoint the genre of this film. This film is very different to films that had been released previously and takes certain conventions from a number of genres. Overall this film belongs to the drama genre but could also be seen as a British gangster film. The viewer can understand that this is not a typical gangster film from this opening sequence because of the characters that feature in this sequence. These characters do not have the typical appearance of a gangster as they are not wearing suits but dressed more casually in jeans and a coat. Despite this, some conventions are used in this opening sequence which may sway towards the British gangster genre. The use of extreme violence and swearing in this opening sequence is typical of a gangster film but is what a viewer would come to expect of a gangster film. The characters used in this opening sequence are of similar ethnicity, age and gender which would be expected from a gangster film, they are all young white males. But it is clear to the viewer that these men are not typical gangsters and are most probably football hooligans as they are in a gang and singing football songs. The audience’s generic expectations are not fully fulfilled as this opening sequence does not give a clear view of which genre this film belongs to. After the viewer has watched this sequence they are still not fully sure of what genre this film is going to be but can get an idea of what happens within this story. It is clear that one of the main themes revolving around this film is violence which would be a typical convention of a gangster film. The director Lexi Alexander plays with the characteristics of the generic expectations of a gangster film and introduces a different side of the genre and something that has not been explored in great detail before in other films.

By the use of mise-en-scene in this opening sequence it gives the viewer a clear view of where this film takes place. The opening shots of this sequence show the setting of a tube station. From this it makes it clear to the viewer that this film is based in London and already starts to make the viewer think of what the main themes may be within this film. As it is set in London the audience can make assumptions that this film may be based on the urban culture within London and address some of the issues of modern society in this city. Within this tube station there is brickwork and a large amount of advertising. This also contributes to the urban and industrial feel as it is clearly a built up area and in an industrial part of London. Mise-en-scene is also used in this opening sequence to give the viewer an idea of what the characters within this film are like. The fact that it is within a London tube station and they are in a large group connotes that these men may be quite rough and may be involved in some sort of criminal activity, being it violence or drugs. There is also a quite dim lighting used in this opening sequence which gives the appearance that this is taking place quite late at night which could connote they could be tough guys. A shot of an older man not within the group looking on to the group as they run a long shouting and kicking a can shoes the characters lack of respect for members of the public and may not conform to normal expectations and rules. This adds to the image the viewer is creating that these are tough guys. The fact that there is only one man and the two gangs within this tube station shows that it must be late at night and shows they do not follow normal rules. The viewer can also start to think what is happening within the story and can come to the assumption that this is taking place after a football match. This is as they are in a London tube station, group of young males, late at night and singing football songs.

The use of camera shot size, movement and angle in this opening sequence conveys different meanings and used to give different affects. When the group of men are walking along the platform a tracking shot is used at eye level to move a long with the group. By using this is makes the viewer feel as if they are on the other side of the platform and looking onto this gang and alienated from this gang. With this tracking shot a long shot is used so all of the men are visible and the viewer can see all the actions of the men and what they look like. As a long shot is used the viewer can see that these men are dressed very casually and probably working class. During the dialogue between the two gangs either side of the platform the camera is placed just behind each of the gangs as they are delivering their dialogue. By doing this it makes the viewer take different sides and feel as if they are standing with the gang as they are speaking. This gives the viewer different perspectives and feel as if they are involved within this banter between the two gangs. By doing this it breaks the 180º rule which has to be done otherwise the camera crew would be visible standing behind each of the gangs. During this dialogue between the gangs mainly medium shots are used of the characters. By using this type of shot it makes two or three characters visible to the viewer and they are able to focus on their reactions. But it also enables the viewer to see the hand gestures of the characters which is important. This is important in this sequence as it gives a clear indication to the viewer of what these characters are like. Two times in this opening sequence the director uses a shot which fades into focus. This is at the beginning of the sequence when the tube station comes into focus and also the other gang slowly come into focus revealing them. This is used as the viewer is able to see that there are people there but are unsure of whom they are but these characters are slowly revealed to the viewer creating a small amount of tension. Towards the end of the sequence before the fight scene and during the fight scene there a number of things which add to build up to this climax and create excitement. As the train comes into view it is moving at a very fast pace past the camera which starts to build a bit of energy. Just before the fight scene camera movement is used to pan upwards very quick which is also adding to get the viewers heart beating and leading to the climax of the fight. During the fight scene there is a rapid change of camera shots, which gives the feel of chaos. This also makes the viewer feel as if they are involved in this fight and the rapid change of camera shots feel as if adrenaline is pumping through them and they are looking around and can see all the action which is taking place around them.

Sound is very important in this opening sequence as it anchors many of the images. Diagetic sound is used in this sequence to anchor a number of shots. The sound of the group of characters singing anchors the opening shots of the stairs and then the group coming into view. This is very important as it gives the viewer a clear indication of what the characters are like. The viewer can establish that this group of men are probably football hooligans and are very confident and aggressive. The use of sound also builds up tension in the build up to the fight scene. When the two gangs are arguing and the train comes across the shot non-diagetic sound is put in over the top. Music starts to play which sounds like it could be the train moving across the track and it starts to build up getting faster and faster which sounds like a heartbeat. This builds tension as it starts to get faster as if their hearts are beating faster and faster with adrenaline pumping through them building up to this fight. During the fight scene the music is very upbeat and fast which matches the rapid change in camera shots and also the diagetic sound of shouting and general noise which gives the feel of chaos.

Through both dialogue and non-verbal language the viewer can learn a large amount about the characters which feature in this opening sequence. Through dialogue in this sequence the main characters in each gang are established. This is as these are the characters doing most of the speaking and most of the banter is between these two main characters. Throughout this opening sequence there is a large amount of swearing which shows that these are rough characters and are probably working class. There is also a lot of shouting and a heated argument between the two gangs which show that both of these gangs are very violent. Therefore through the dialogue in this opening sequence it gives the viewer a very clear indication of what these characters are like and can start to build their opinions and views. Non-verbal language also helps the viewer to build images of the characters. It is clear that the characters are very casual as they are all walking very casually strolling along with their hands in their pockets like they haven’t got any care. During the dialogue between the two gangs all of the characters either have their hands in their pockets or have their arms crossed which gives the view that they are trying to look intimidating and look tougher than the other group. This is also signified when the characters raise their arms in the air and start pointing when they are arguing as they are trying to look as big as possible and shows they are very violent and looking the toughest and biggest is important to them. One character also spits at the other gang which clearly shows he is working class and not a very pleasant man. Also the fact that they are fighting at the end of this sequence shows that these characters are hooligans and lower class.

The narrative shown in this opening sequence is a linear narrative. It is clear that the characters are very upbeat because of their singing and chanting and that it is night time. This can be put together and the viewer could come to the conclusion that these men have been at a football match and they are on their way home. At first in this opening sequence the audience are positioned with one of the gangs and follows them in the build up to the main climax of this sequence. But despite this when there is the argument between the two gangs the audience is positioned on both sides because where the camera has been placed behind each of the gangs. Therefore as the audience have followed one group in the build up to the argument and fight the audience feels as if they should take the side of this gang. Techniques of identification are used to the extent that the characters are identified as two gangs who are enemies. These two gangs are portrayed as alienated from each other and are enemies. The audience are also alienated from the gang in the opening shots as the camera is placed on the other side of the platform looking onto this gang. The major themes of this film are clearly signified in this opening sequence. There is a large amount of violence and aggressive behaviour which is clearly going to be an ongoing theme throughout this film. Tension is created mainly in this opening sequence by the two gangs arguing. The fact that they are arguing makes the viewer think what the consequences of this argument are going to be and can assume that there will be fight at the end of this argument. The use of sound and camera work also adds to the tension created. The music used which slowly builds up getting faster and faster starts to build this tension rapidly and this tension is then maintained during the fight with the use of rapid camera change.

Within this opening sequence only one social group is represented. That is young white male football hooligans. Within this opening sequence this social group are not portrayed in a very good light. This is because of the violence and the general aggressive nature of the group which takes place in this sequence. There is an older middle aged man in this opening sequence looking onto this group of men but the group do not pay any attention to him and do not alter their behaviour. This shows the groups lack of respect for the public and shows them in a bad light. Within this opening sequence it reinforces typical gender roles and traits. There is an ideological discourse on male behaviour. These gender roles are reinforced because of the violence which takes place in this sequence and also that males should also look tough and try to look and act harder than others. The ideology represented in this opening sequence is that to hold a high status and have respect amongst your piers you have to be tough and act harder than others around you. There are no women represented in this opening sequence but the fact that they are not represented could signify that they are not as important and do not fit in with this laddish behaviour.

The target audience for this film is those similar to the characters that are shown in this opening sequence, young white males. This is as this audience may be able to relate to some of the characters and relate to some of the themes which are brought up in this film. The extent on violence in this sequence rules out the younger audience of both genders as it would be too explicit for them and also the older generation as they could not really relate with the themes of the film. Women may also be less likely to be the target audience as generally they do not enjoy watching violence as much as men do and also there are no females represented so they cannot really relate to any of the characters. The preferred reading of Lexi Alexander would be to see these characters as being tough and understanding they are football hooligans. But also at the same time understand that this is just a film and not a 100% true representation of what happens in reality. There is a chance of a negotiated reading from the audience. This would be to understand that these are tough football hooligans but totally disagree with what is taking place in this sequence and be offended by the violence and language used by the characters. As this film is set in Britain and is based on young males and being a young British male myself I can sort of relate to some of the themes in this opening sequence and also relate to the characters. This is based on my own past experiences so I can sort of relate to this film and understand the themes. The way the audience reads this text would be largely influenced by age, gender and background. This is because if you are much younger or older you cannot relate to these themes and what it is like today. The same goes for gender as a female may read this text differently as they may not have a large knowledge or experience of football hooligans. Background will play a large part in the reading of this text as if you are from London and are working class it would be easier to relate to some of the themes in this film than an upper class person who lives in the countryside.