Analysis of 'Gangster' genre

In my media class I have been asked to make a 2 minute film sequence containing credits, titles and an opening scene. Me and my chosen group have chosen to do a 'Gangster' (crime) style genre.


For general research to help me understand the meaning of crime/gangster I am going to study 3 different films  in this genre.


Goodfellas


This film is a classic example of a American gangster film. it contains action, crime and violence.
in the introduction of this iconic film by Martin Scorsese, there is major tense when the characters are tired. in the dark, driving down the free way and two of the three in the car are asleep. then suddenly there is a bang in the back, the driver says 'what the fuck is that?' then calls to the resting person beside him 'Jimmy?' Jimmy says 'Whats up?' then go's back to the driver 'Did i hit something?' then again 'Is that a flat?'. this type of dialogue creates a tense atmosphere.
A classic crime/gangster film always has violence and criminal acts,
so this is definitely an iconic film for this genre as it has violence in the first scene!
 Where they pull over because of the loud banging coming from 'the trunk' and find a blooded body wiggling around in excitement of three grow men standing there with guns and knives. Then one of the main characters stab him several times then another finishes him with a gun shot.
These first couple of minutes show the viewer that n the film that they are about to watch there will be violence and excitement. Also mostly the viewer gets an idea of what the characters are like (nasty) and roughly what the story line will be about (how he wanted to be  gangster/ how he became one) because of the last quote "as far back as i can remember, i always wanted to be a gangster".


Reservoir Dogs


Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dog's opens with all of the characters, who are assigned code-names (apart from Joe and Eddie), having a breakfast in a diner; Mr White, (Harvey Keitel) Mr. Blonde, (Michael Madsen) Mr. Pink, (Steve Buscemi) Mr. Orange, (Tim Roth) Mr. Blue, (Edward Bunker) Mr Brown, (Quentin Tarantino) Joe Cabot (Lawerence Tierney) and his son ‘Nice-guy’ Eddie, (Chris Penn). Mr Brown is discussing Madonna’s famous song ‘Like a Virgin,’ while Mr. White and Joe argue over an address book and Mr. Pink initially refuses to tip the waitress. The shot of the characters walking together in a group like fashion was intended to introduce the characters individually to give the viewer an idea of the characteristics of each individual. shots that take close up shots of each person pauses for 4 seconds whilst their name comes up and shows the viewer who is who in the film. In the first few moments of the film the director uses the the shot wear the group walk past a blank wall then show them walking towards the camera 'strutting' showing a masculine, and prominent posture (as a group) almost feeling intimidated. this shows the viewer the the film will be about this group of men who look well dressed and seem like they get up tp no good (e.g. gambling).