The opening to Essex Boys.

Camera angle and Lighting.In this particular still, we, as an audience are sitting within the car, just like the character Billy, who is also in the car. This angle makes us see the situation and character from Billy’s perspective, creating an intimacy and understanding between the audience and Billy. The swipe of the window wiper (editing) reveals Jason standing half lit (Backlight). To be revealed, the wiper moves away a layer of dust and dirt, resulting in Jason quite literally appearing from the dirt. This metaphor connotes that the character is dark and grimy: in his actions and morals, therefore suggesting the dark and violent themes within the film. This is emphasised by the lighting upon the character. Jason is half lit, connoting his moral ambiguity and enigmatic character, foreshadowing that we as an audience should possibly question is actions.

Character(s) and Lighting.As mentioned in the before still, this close up of Jason really expresses his moral ambiguity through the extreme lighting. The back light helps define and separate the character from the backdrop, focusing our attention upon him. The second light, is a high intensity light on the right (to the audience), casting a strong shadow across his face. This almost perfect divide between the light and dark, connotes that Jason is neither fully bad (linked with the dark depths of the shadows), or good and pure (linked with the white light), making us question his intentions and actions. However, his facial expression at this point in time is very serious and domineering, helped by the slight low angle, looking up at the character. This connotes his importance and power within the film. Looking at the characters costume, the leather jacket and garishly patterned shirt lacks a certain sense of sophistication, connoting that there is no glamour or sophistication within the story. Taking the rule of thirds into account, Jason is positioned slightly to the left. This again, further draws our focus upon him, as the audience are aware, even by the blurred background, that there is in fact, nothing in the frame except Jason; he is the only importance.

Location and metaphor.This particular location within the opening shows a road tunnel (to Essex) with artificial strobe lighting along the top of the tunnel. The location is very urbanised, bleak and somewhat practical, much like the characters and plot, nothing is glamorous or has “that Hollywood Sheen”; It’s Essex, and it’s gritty. However, the choice of a tunnel also portrays a metaphor. Tunnels take you underground and are very dark. Being specific to this image, we cannot see the end of the tunnel. This therefore connotes that the characters are entering into the dark, evil depths; the further underground they are, the closer to hell they are. The fact that the audience are not clear on when the characters will re- appear, expresses a sense of claustrophobia and entrapment; will there actions trap them?

Mise-en Scene and Tone.The props within the fish market fight scene really express the bleak, cold tone of the film. The frame is filled with white polystyrene boxes and steel framework upon a brown, wet floor. Spectators of the fight are also wearing white or dark colours, somewhat blending with the background, expect for Jason. Although the frame is filled with all these things, making the scene seem busy, the fact that they are very cold, un-indulgent colours makes the shot feel very bare and cold, making us as an audience feel uncomfortable, even without the fight. This is also emphasised by the damp floor, reflecting the white light and bleak colours within the shot. Secondly, the use of a fish market as a location, is very dank, unwanted and empty location, connoting that the plot and characters themselves are morally, or emotionally empty, unwanted, with a certainly dark, dank and unsettling story.

Font and Tone.Finally, this image shows the title of the film “Essex Boys”; a white font against a black background with two white lines running down the left hand side of the title. This shot is very bare and un glamorous, again connoting the bleak and serious story. Also, the two white streaks portray a very unsettling tone, because, even though they are white, very much resemble blood; there is something very sinister of something dripping down a block colour background, because we can very clearly see it. It goes un-noticed. In terms of the font, it is very bold and practical, much like the characters within the film; they don’t mess around, and hide behind a certain exterior. They are what you see. This is exactly the same with the title. It is what you see, nothing more or less.