Analysis of a professional film opening

The film is called Football Factory. It was released on the 14th May 2004. The film was directed by Nick Love, and received one award.

The genre of the film ‘Football Factory’ is a crime/drama. This is because it includes a lot of crime such as violence, theft and offensive language, but still has a dramatic plot at the same time.

In the opening 2-5 minutes of the film, the first scene shows Danny Dyer lying on his back covered in blood, he is being beaten almost to death. The next scene shows the Chelsea firm are gathering in their numbers, they are heading towards a pub, filled with the boys from the Tottenham firm. The Chelsea firm have ‘scouts’ posted out, to keep a look out for the spurs fans. When they reach the pub, Tommy Johnson (Danny Dyer) throws a smoke grenade into the pub. The spurs fans pour out and a fight erupts. As the fight breaks out an onlooker starts hurling abuse at the fighting supporters. The camera then freezes on Danny Dyer and a voice over is played about his character. The camera then plays again and he is hit and falls to the floor and the scene ends.

The Locations used in the opening scenes of Football Factory are shot in London. This sets the scene of the film to show that it is a London firm. There aren’t many other destinations used throughout the film, only when Chelsea play away to the likes of Liverpool.

Characters- Danny Dyer (Tommy Johnson)- Frank Harper (Billy Bright)- Tamer Hassan (Fred)- Roland Manookian (Zeberdee)- Neil Maskel (Rod)- Dudley Sutton (Bill Farrell)- Tony Denham (Harris)- Callum McNab (Raff)- Jamie Foreman (Cabbie)- John Junkin (Albert Moss)- Sophie Linfield (Tamara)- Kara Tointen (Shei)- Michele Hallak (Shian)

Enigma CodesThe enigma codes in the opening 2-5 minutes are because

the first fight makes you wonder whether there will be another encounter between the two firms. The main question is why is Danny Dyer lying in a pool of his own blood being beaten, and what does it all mean?

You also wonder what roles the different characters play in the firm.

The first fight of the film makes you think why are they fighting? And will there be any consequences of there actions?

Camerawork and EffectsDuring the fight scenes, extreme long shots are

used to show the characters fighting, what they are wearing and where they are. Over the shoulder shots are used to make the Chelsea firm seem powerful and fearless. When dialogue is exchanged shot reverse shots are used to show the different characters. As the Chelsea firm are walking, a medium close up is used to show the characters, which makes them look very determined.

Editing Techniques

There aren‘t many editing techniques used in Football Factory. This is because it is a fast paced film and such techniques as dissolves and fades would not work. Cuts are used occasionally throughout the film.

Sounds

During the first fight scene outside the pub, there are a number of different sound effects used. Punching noises are made when the two firms are swinging at each other. This makes the fight seem realistic. Bottles smashing, bricks being thrown and stamping noises are all used as effects.

Genre Characteristics

The viewers witness the fights taking place in familiar locations to people who live in London. Their accents are regional, and there is very strong banter between the different firms. These things may signify that this film is social realist, opposed to highlight violence due to something such as which football team you support.

Titles

The majority of the titles are shown before the film starts, such as the name of the director, main characters names, the name of the film, and the name of the original novel writer.

Target AudienceThe film is classified as an 18, so this would be the

obvious target audience. However, many teenagers have seen the film and enjoyed it. The film is aimed at a mature male audience, because of it’s use of bad language, the violence and the drug abuse. So I would say the target audience would range from 15-25.

Ideas for me to transfer- Some ideas for me to transfer for the making of

our own film could be the accent. Our film is also set in London so the use of cockney accents would make the film seem more professional.

- We could also use the bottle smashing effect. This makes the film seem very serious and would make the characters look more intimidating.