Gangster films emerged in the early 1930’s and are one of the oldest film genres around. The most notable of course is The Godfather Trilogy, the first of which is often regarded as the best film ever made.
These films have very recognisable traits. For example, an audience watching a Mafia film will expect the characters to be Italian. The audience are also expecting to see lots of action, violence and murder when they watch a gangster film. The characters in the film are also very identifiable in a gangster film; there is typically a head of the gang (Don or Godfather in Mafia films) who has many men under him. In mafia films, the gang is usually all from the same family, like the Corleone’s in The Godfather. Often the mafia do not call themselves the mafia, only “the family” or “the business” as they see this as a way of life. Settings are another trait of these types of films. Nearly all are set in busy cities, like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
Most Gangster films are shot to look dark and gritty, a similarity many share which came from Film Noir. Costume is also a distinguishable feature of a gangster movie; characters are nearly always seen wearing smart clothing such as shirts and ties, suits and waistcoats. It is not uncommon to see women in a gangster movie, but they are not generally involved with any crimes. A female character who subverts this stereotype is called a Female Fatale, which again came from Film Noir; she is usually devious, manipulative, mysterious and beautiful as opposed to the usual stereotype of a woman being loving and caring. Female Fatales are often seen wearing stunning dresses and are associated with the colour red.
Saturday 30 January 2010
Set plan for poker scene - By Josh Nutt
This is the set plan for the poker scene. We can see that they're are 4 players playing poker. Joe Messina, Leo Romano, and the 2 pink circles are William King and John Jones. Along with the twin Moretti's who are Henchmen on the door. We see that Luciana Messina enters the room and places drinks on the table, with Leo Romano's drink, being the one with poison in.
Set plan for poker scene. V2 - By Josh Nutt
In this scene we see that they're are 6 poker players at the table. By using this scene compared to the other one, we would need 2 more people to take back and a round table. Again, the same concept as before, Luciana Messina walks through the door and puts the drinks on the table as the men are playing poker. With Leo Romano's drink being the one with poison in. Hence, killing him. 
Friday 29 January 2010
Royal Flush Title - By Andrew Robinson
Idea for this is to zoom in on the ace card and transition to this video.
Royal Flush (Working Title) Opening Title Scene Script - By Kirsten Barman
Scene 1
Camera is following a young man Joe Messina, hurriedly walking up a narrow flight of stairs. He is dressed in a smart suit and hat. He comes up to a door. Knocks twice, and enters.
Scene 2
Don: Let him in
The door swings open and Joe Messina enters. The room is large and open but quite dark. At the opposite end is a desk and large leather chair. The back of the chair is facing the window.
Enter Joe Messina
Approaching the desk with caution
Joe: My Brother
The chair swings round to show a tall, handsome man, Don Messina. He is only young, but has obviously seen action and excitement. He too is wearing a suit and smart clothing. There is a quiet sense of satisfaction across his face.
Don: Aaaaah my brother. You bring me good news I trust
Joe: He isn’t going to be a problem anymore
-CUT-
Scene 3
We are in a dark smoke filled room. The lights are low and there is a faint rumble of talking. In the middle of the room is a circular table covered with a green cloth, around which six men are playing poker, smoking cigars and drinking. Luciana Messina enters carrying a tray of glasses.
She walks the perimeter of the table, replacing glasses at the table as she goes along. None of the men pay much attention to her; they are transfixed on the game of poker. She replaces the last glass on the table, and then puts her hand on the shoulder of Joe Messina.
One of the players, Leo Ramone, takes a sip of his drink; he looks around, and starts to look dazed and confused. Joe Messina looks over his shoulder to Luciana Messina; Ramone puts his cards down on the table to reveal a royal flush, the highest hand in poker. Then collapses on top of them.
A hand drags the body away
-CUT TO TITLES-
Scene 4
The scene is now light. We are in a small graveyard; we can see a huge tombstone towering to the sky. Behind it is Marco Ramone a young man, he looks down to the grave stone a reads the inscription. He is holding a photo of his father and a rose. A young woman i seen walking up to Marco, in the distance. As Marilyn Johnson reaches him
Marilyn: Are you alright?
Marco: I'm going to find who did this to my father.
Marco breaks away from the hug and drops the rose and photo on the grave. We see Marco and Marilyn walking out of the graveyard together, before a fade to black.
-FADE TO BLACK-
Character Profile- Alessandro Messina - By Josh Nutt
Alessandro Messina, older brother of Joe Messina and Luciana Messina. Wants Leo Romano dead over unpayed money so gets his brother and sister to poison him during a poker match. Married but had no children. Born in 1895, became head (the don)of the Messina mafia in 1914 at the age of 19 due to his dad being shot in a drive-by, by a rival gang. Alessandro became known in the city of Chicago due to his ruthlessness of getting the job done. Was responsible for a lot of murders around Chicago, yet had a tendency to cover up his crimes and pull wool over the polices eyes. Tends to keep employment within the family but will occasionally hire friends for hits he does not want his family to get tied up in. Alessandro is very protective over his two younger siblings, and took to the fatherly role after losing his father. Still sees his mother occasioinally yet due to his mafia links, he tries to not see her often so that she is not caught up in the Messina mafia links. Is tracked down by Marco Romano, and they confront in an alley. Alessandro gets the first shot but only wounds Marco in the leg. To which, Marco, shoots Alessandro firstly in the shoulder, which sends him stumbling, and secondly in the chest. Marco flees the scene leaving him in the alley, it is shown in a newspaper later on in the scene that 'Chicago's most notorious mafia boss has been killed'. He is buried next to his deceased father and brother.
Character Profile - Joe Messina - By Josh Nutt
Joe Messina, the middle sibling of the Messina family. Became close to his brother and sister after his dad was killed in a drive-by when he was just 17. Came up with the idea to kill Leo Ramone at a poker game, that he had already been invited to. Very notorious amongst the streets of Chicago because of his numerous hits, yet his past is set to come back and haunt him. Is killed by Leo Ramone as he is shot twice, once in the arm and once in the chest. As he lay dying we see numerous flashbacks of his life including one's of when he was little, one of him and his father, and one where he kills a man, we also see in a flashback, Alessandro and Joe joke that if Leo Ramone was to get the Royal Flush, that he would spare his life. In the final game, in which Leo Ramone dies from the poison, Leo Ramone had a royal flush, and Joe Messina had the dead man's hand, as he is the only player at the table who is set to die from Marco Ramone, with William King dying of cancer, and Walt Dixon having no part in the murder.
Character Profile - Luciana Messina - By Josh Nutt
Luciana Messina is the youngest of the Messina family, and is close with her family. Was often regarded as a Daddy's little girl was devastated when her Dad was taken away from her at the age of 16. Often uses her looks to her advantage and can get a lot of people on her side. A very persuasive character, yet very devious, in her later life tries to forget her mafia links yet Marco Ramone won't let her. Marco tells her that if she helps her track down all those assosciated with his father's death that he shall spare her life. She tells Marco all that she knows about the two henchmen, William King, and Walt Dixon. She is reluctant to tell Marco about her two siblings yet she is still mad at them as they caused the death of her husband to be. Later on in the story we see that Alessandro Messina sets out to find out who is helping Marco in his quest for revenge. He sees Luciana and Marco together and realises that it's his little sister who has been helping out all along. Marco kills both Alessandro and Joe Messina, to which he keeps his promise of sparing Luciana's life. Marco later asks Luciana to be godmother to Leo Jr, to which she happily agrees.
Character Profile - Leo Ramone - By Josh Nutt
Leo Ramone was an only child in the Ramone family so automatically became head of the Ramone mafia when his father mysteriously disappeared, presumed dead. He took to the Mafia like a duck to a water. When younger, he was friends with Alessandro Messina yet a fierce rivalry is born when Leo fails to pay back money which he borrowed for his wedding to his mistress, Francesca. Despite Alessandro being the best man at his wedding. Often quite easily led into traps and has been quite fortunate so far, in not to be killed. Killed at a poker match through a poisoned drink, left behind his widow Francesca and his 6 month old son, Marco, who when grown up, wants revenge for his deceased father. At the poker game in which he was killed, Leo Ramone had the best hand, the royal flush. Yet was never able to win the game.
Character Profile - Marco Ramone - By Josh Nutt
Marco Ramone, son of Leo and Francesca. Never knew his Dad Leo, due to the fact he was murdered when he was 6 months old. Was placed into an orphanage after his mother Francesca was killed in a car-crash at the age of 11. A confused man in his life, he wants to find out about his family, espescially his deceased father. Eventually, he finds Luciana Messina who tells him his dad was murdered and she begins to help him piece together the events of the night that he was murdered, and everyone involved. Marco extracts his revenge by killing those involved with his Dad's murder. He kills both the henchmen, Joe Messina and Alessandro Messina, after discovering that William King had died of cancer, and that Walt Dixon played no real part in the murder, he was just there at the time. After 8 months of taking revenge, he returns to his wife Marilyn Johnson to find that she is heavily pregnant. She gives birth a few weeks later to a little boy who they name Leo Jr. after Marco's late father. Luciana Messina is asked to be Godmother to Leo Jr. Marco and Marilyn eventually marry a few months after the birth of there son.
Character profile - Marilyn Johnson - By Josh Nutt
Marilyn Johnson comes from an American background and meets Marco Ramone at a pub in downtown Chicago. Not too happy about the fact that Marco is involved in the Mafia routes but loves him deeply. Marilyn comes from a loving family so finds it hard to understand Marco's life and becomes worried when he is gone for so long, when she is heavily pregnant. Yet, Marco returns in time for the babies birth, in which they name Leo Jr. They marry just after Leo Jr.'s birth.
Character profile - Leonardo Moretti - By Josh Nutt
Leonardo Moretti has close ties with the Messina mafia, being that he is cousins with Alessandro, Joe and Luciana. He is hired professionally by The Don to be his henchman along with his twin brother, Luciano. Leonardo, along with Luciano, was responsible for the disposing of Leo's body after the murder had taken place. He is older than his brother Leonardo by a couple of minutes, and is the oldest out of all the Messina family, yet he has to take orders from his younger cousin, Alessandro, he is a loyal henchman, with family routes and does what he is told. Had no wife or children. Leonardo was shot by Leo Ramone, initially Leo had tried to kill Luciano first, simply because he was the youngest and he wanted to see Leonardo suffer. However, Leonardo tried to save his brother's life by blocking the gunfire in a noble fashion, by standing in front of Luciano. Marco, shot Leonardo, then walks off to have a cigarette. At this time Luciano thinks that he has been spared, only for Marco to return, cigarette still in hand, to kill Luciano.
Character profile - Luciano Moretti - By Josh Nutt
Luciano, twin brother of Leonardo, is part of the Messina mafia and is officially employed as a henchman to look over his younger cousins, Alessandro, Joe and Luciana. He is a powerful character and works well with his twin brother. Was pursued by the police after a Bank Heist in Chicago yet was released after there was no concluding evidence. He, along with his brother Leonardo, was responsible for the disposing of Leo's body. Marco kills him after finding out where he hid his father's body. Luciano thinks that he has had his life spared when Marco shoots his brother Leonardo and walks off. As Luciano lays there sobbing over his dead brother's body in an emotional scene where Luciano is re-living stories which they experienced when they were younger. Marco returns with a cigarette in his hand, Luciano turns, teary eyed, and gets shot in the chest. Gets killed a couple of minutes after his twin brother, which adds the irony as they were born just a few minutes apart and they die a few minutes apart. Is buried in the family graveyard alongside his twin brother. Had a girlfriend, yet didn't marry and didn't have any children.
Character profile - William King - By Josh Nutt
William King is a childhood friend of Alessandro Messina, and believed to have been friends with Leo Ramone. Got into the business of weapons and often supplied the Messina family with guns free of charge. Supplied the poison that killed Leo Ramone. Was at the poker table when Leo Ramone was killed. When Marco tries to track him down after finding out he supplied the poison, Luciana tells him that he is still living somewhere in Chicago to her knowledge. Finds William's widow in an apartment in Chicago who sobs while telling him that he died of Cancer 4 years ago.
Character profile - Walt Dixon - By Josh Nutt
Walt Dixon was an old friend of Joe Messina who was invited along to the poker game to make up numbers and to catch up with Joe Messina. Had no idea what was going on that night and that Leo Ramone was going to be killed. Marco discovers that he has moved to Texas and decides to spare his life considering that he wasn't involved in the death of his father. Moved to Texas shortly after the death of Leo out of fear of being caught by the police and now lives with his wife and kids.
Character profile - Francesca Ramone - By Josh Nutt
Wife of Leo Ramone, has a son, Marco, and receives the devastating news that Leo has been killed when Marco is just 6 months. After his death she discovers that she is pregnant through Leo again, yet miscarries after falling down the stairs. Raises Marco all by herself and refuses to love another man, dies in a car accident when Marco is 11 after a bus hit a car she was traveling in. Won't feature in the opening 2 minutes, so won't need casting.
Royal Flush (Working Title) Story Line - By Kirsten Barman
Set mainly in the late 1930's Chicago USA, but with some references to the very early 1920's before the depression era, when Mafia gangs were at their most influential points.
Our story beings with two rival mafia families, The Messina's probably the most powerful of the two families in Chicago, with links and associates all across the USA. Headed by the dreaded Don Messina, feared throughout northern America for his ruthless and relentless ways. And the Ramone's, less powerful and less feared, but equally as dangerous. It was believed that at some time, maybe whilst growing up, that Don Messina And Leo Ramone were friends, until a disagreement led to their fall out. Their trades had not crossed paths before, Don Messina knew of the upcoming rivalry, but made it clear to his men that Leo Ramone should never be harmed. Their story's become entwined when the Ramone's start to gain influence throughout Chicago, and Leo's death is brought about when a substantial amount of money is not paid to Messina, leading to the death of Leo Ramone, and the eradication of Don Messina's closest rival, enforcing his power across the whole of Chicago.
The death of Ramone, had happened in an unusual way. It was thought that Messina had given the task of dealing with his murder to his "soilders", but many failed. Fuming with rage and dissapointment, Messina gave the task directly to his younger brother, Joe Messina. A skilled, headstrong and influential member of the family. Yearning to earn the respect of his brother and knowing that he would have to chose his moment carefully as Ramone is always heavily surrounded by men, Joe decides to enlist the help of his younger sister, Luciana. Together they arrange a poker match, bringing together other associates as well as Ramone. And with Luciana disguised as a waitress and Joe playing in the poker match, Luciana is able to slip poison into Ramone's drink, and dispose of him quickly.
15 Years later, Leo Ramone's empire has fallen, his child grew up an orphan knowing nothing of his roots and his father's business. His child, Marco, now grown up, is the centre of our story. Knowing very little about his father and mother as she died when he was 11, He is eager to re-trace his roots after finding an old photograph beside his fathers grave. He soon re-traces the cause of the death and the ones responsible for it. Intent on revenge, Marco searches the country for anyone remotely connected to the death of his father. He tracks down one of the henchmen who were guarding the door that night, and quickly learns that his father was a very notable Mafia boss. After learning this news, Marco decides to re-live his fathers life taking revenge along the way. Eventually planning to kill the remainder of the Messina family. Now one of the most feared mafia families in the USA. Alerted to the intentions of Marco Ramone, Don Messina, sends out his men to every corner of the country to track down Ramone and kill him, Also fearing for the safety of his little sister Luciana, after she turned away from the mafia scene as she grew older. Little does he now that she is already associated with Ramone and using all her knowledge to help him on his quest. Ultimately it is up to Joe Messina to finish the job off again. But will he be able to finish Marco off like he did his father? And will the Messina boys ever find out about Luciana's betrayal to her family?
Our story beings with two rival mafia families, The Messina's probably the most powerful of the two families in Chicago, with links and associates all across the USA. Headed by the dreaded Don Messina, feared throughout northern America for his ruthless and relentless ways. And the Ramone's, less powerful and less feared, but equally as dangerous. It was believed that at some time, maybe whilst growing up, that Don Messina And Leo Ramone were friends, until a disagreement led to their fall out. Their trades had not crossed paths before, Don Messina knew of the upcoming rivalry, but made it clear to his men that Leo Ramone should never be harmed. Their story's become entwined when the Ramone's start to gain influence throughout Chicago, and Leo's death is brought about when a substantial amount of money is not paid to Messina, leading to the death of Leo Ramone, and the eradication of Don Messina's closest rival, enforcing his power across the whole of Chicago.
The death of Ramone, had happened in an unusual way. It was thought that Messina had given the task of dealing with his murder to his "soilders", but many failed. Fuming with rage and dissapointment, Messina gave the task directly to his younger brother, Joe Messina. A skilled, headstrong and influential member of the family. Yearning to earn the respect of his brother and knowing that he would have to chose his moment carefully as Ramone is always heavily surrounded by men, Joe decides to enlist the help of his younger sister, Luciana. Together they arrange a poker match, bringing together other associates as well as Ramone. And with Luciana disguised as a waitress and Joe playing in the poker match, Luciana is able to slip poison into Ramone's drink, and dispose of him quickly.
15 Years later, Leo Ramone's empire has fallen, his child grew up an orphan knowing nothing of his roots and his father's business. His child, Marco, now grown up, is the centre of our story. Knowing very little about his father and mother as she died when he was 11, He is eager to re-trace his roots after finding an old photograph beside his fathers grave. He soon re-traces the cause of the death and the ones responsible for it. Intent on revenge, Marco searches the country for anyone remotely connected to the death of his father. He tracks down one of the henchmen who were guarding the door that night, and quickly learns that his father was a very notable Mafia boss. After learning this news, Marco decides to re-live his fathers life taking revenge along the way. Eventually planning to kill the remainder of the Messina family. Now one of the most feared mafia families in the USA. Alerted to the intentions of Marco Ramone, Don Messina, sends out his men to every corner of the country to track down Ramone and kill him, Also fearing for the safety of his little sister Luciana, after she turned away from the mafia scene as she grew older. Little does he now that she is already associated with Ramone and using all her knowledge to help him on his quest. Ultimately it is up to Joe Messina to finish the job off again. But will he be able to finish Marco off like he did his father? And will the Messina boys ever find out about Luciana's betrayal to her family?
Royal Flush Treatment - By Andrew Robinson
Film title: Royal Flush
Duration: 2 minute opening. approximately 90 minutes if we were to film the entire film.
Audience: 18-30, targeted more at male, compared to female, as it's more of a shooter sort of film, yet it could attract some female attention. More targeted to the middle age man.
Resume: Leo Ramone was killed in 1925 at a poker game, leaving a wife and a young son behind. Marco Ramone was left in an orphan after his mum died at 11. He wants to find out what happened to his father, and wants to take revenge on anyone involved in his murder. The one's involved in the murder include, The Don Messina, who set out the hit on him after Leo Ramone failed to pay him money that he owed him. Joe Messina who planned how to kill him and his sister Luciana Messina who planted the poison into his drink while at a poker game. Marco also wants revenge on anyone who was in the poker room who ran away, kept quiet and didn't say anything. This includes the other 2/4 poker players, and the 2 henchmen guarding the door. After tracking down the henchmen he finds out that his Dad was a notable mafia man in Chicago and he was responsible for a number of killings of notable rival mafia leaders and other people along the way. Marco Ramone retraces his dad's life, and take's revenge along the way. When Marco he gets back he finds out that his wife, Marilyn Johnson is pregnant with a baby boy, decides to name the child after his late father, Leo.
Suggested elements
Flashbacks- of Leo Ramone's death, including the poker scene, and bits and pieces about his life. Lot's of fade to white to show the flashback.
Shooting (Revenge). Lot's of guns and violence, along the way of finding out what happened to his father.
Special Effects - Title Sequence, Smokey writing, blood dripping. Black and white, pause show character and actor name. Credits aswell.
Duration: 2 minute opening. approximately 90 minutes if we were to film the entire film.
Audience: 18-30, targeted more at male, compared to female, as it's more of a shooter sort of film, yet it could attract some female attention. More targeted to the middle age man.
Resume: Leo Ramone was killed in 1925 at a poker game, leaving a wife and a young son behind. Marco Ramone was left in an orphan after his mum died at 11. He wants to find out what happened to his father, and wants to take revenge on anyone involved in his murder. The one's involved in the murder include, The Don Messina, who set out the hit on him after Leo Ramone failed to pay him money that he owed him. Joe Messina who planned how to kill him and his sister Luciana Messina who planted the poison into his drink while at a poker game. Marco also wants revenge on anyone who was in the poker room who ran away, kept quiet and didn't say anything. This includes the other 2/4 poker players, and the 2 henchmen guarding the door. After tracking down the henchmen he finds out that his Dad was a notable mafia man in Chicago and he was responsible for a number of killings of notable rival mafia leaders and other people along the way. Marco Ramone retraces his dad's life, and take's revenge along the way. When Marco he gets back he finds out that his wife, Marilyn Johnson is pregnant with a baby boy, decides to name the child after his late father, Leo.
Suggested elements
Flashbacks- of Leo Ramone's death, including the poker scene, and bits and pieces about his life. Lot's of fade to white to show the flashback.
Shooting (Revenge). Lot's of guns and violence, along the way of finding out what happened to his father.
Special Effects - Title Sequence, Smokey writing, blood dripping. Black and white, pause show character and actor name. Credits aswell.
Thursday 28 January 2010
Royal Flush (Working Title) - By Josh Nutt, Andrew Robinson, Connor Asquith and Kirsten Barman
Royal Flush (Working Title)
Cast:
Don Messina – Jordan Sims
Joe Messina – Joe Copley
Leo Ramone – Josh Nutt
Luciana Messina (Waitress)– Kirsten Barman
Marco Ramone (Son) – Ben Squires
Marilyn Johnson (Sons Wife) – Laura Bentley
Henchmen – Luke Green, James Allen
Poker Players – Josh Nutt, Andrew Robinson, Joe Copley, John Jones
Scenes:
1st Scene –
Joe Messina walks up stairs to the office, freezes and goes black and white to show the character&actors name, walks in office and speaks to the Don: “He isn’t going to be a problem anymore”, who is sat behind a desk, then the camera looks up to the light and transition to scene 2 (flash back).
2nd Scene –
Prescene
Luciana is filmed putting poison into the Martini glasses ready to serve to the poker players. The poisoned glass is intended for Leo, walks into room where a poker game is taking place. Same pause and black and white is used for main characters, just like in the first scene with Joe and the Don Messina.
Camera follows Kirsten (placed behind her left shoulder) and stops when in the room to show Kirsten who is walking around the poker table serving drinks and poker players playing poker, after a while playing poker Leo and the other poker players collapse on the table to show the royal flush, where the camera zooms on the ‘A’ on the ace card and zooms back out to show the title (Royal Flush), the title then exits the screen (turns to blood and drips?)
Ending -
Leo’s Son (Marco) is stood at a tomb stone which is for his father who was killed 15 years ago, with his girlfriend (Laura) behind him he says a few words which connote revenge of the killer of his father, he stares at a picture of his dad and throws a rose onto his grave, then walks out of the grave yard with his wife following his lead.
Cast:
Don Messina – Jordan Sims
Joe Messina – Joe Copley
Leo Ramone – Josh Nutt
Luciana Messina (Waitress)– Kirsten Barman
Marco Ramone (Son) – Ben Squires
Marilyn Johnson (Sons Wife) – Laura Bentley
Henchmen – Luke Green, James Allen
Poker Players – Josh Nutt, Andrew Robinson, Joe Copley, John Jones
Scenes:
1st Scene –
Joe Messina walks up stairs to the office, freezes and goes black and white to show the character&actors name, walks in office and speaks to the Don: “He isn’t going to be a problem anymore”, who is sat behind a desk, then the camera looks up to the light and transition to scene 2 (flash back).
2nd Scene –
Prescene
Luciana is filmed putting poison into the Martini glasses ready to serve to the poker players. The poisoned glass is intended for Leo, walks into room where a poker game is taking place. Same pause and black and white is used for main characters, just like in the first scene with Joe and the Don Messina.
Camera follows Kirsten (placed behind her left shoulder) and stops when in the room to show Kirsten who is walking around the poker table serving drinks and poker players playing poker, after a while playing poker Leo and the other poker players collapse on the table to show the royal flush, where the camera zooms on the ‘A’ on the ace card and zooms back out to show the title (Royal Flush), the title then exits the screen (turns to blood and drips?)
Ending -
Leo’s Son (Marco) is stood at a tomb stone which is for his father who was killed 15 years ago, with his girlfriend (Laura) behind him he says a few words which connote revenge of the killer of his father, he stares at a picture of his dad and throws a rose onto his grave, then walks out of the grave yard with his wife following his lead.
Friday 22 January 2010
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