Gridiron Gang Film Trailer Analysis

Gridiron Gang is a film about the offenders in a penitentiary in America. This is a common setting for sports dramas to be located, like the British film; Mean Machine, or the American hit The Longest Yard. In this type of storyline, the offenders are often perceived as the criminals of society, hence why they're locked up, this can be through the camera angles- high angles looking down on them. However, in this film they are offered a chance to change their ways and sport (American Football in this narrative) often acts as a potential deterrent for the future. The trailer sets the scene with a blacked out screen, this creates an enigma for the audience as this colour connotes a sense of mystery, evil and a general dark time in someones life. However, this is broken by the institution of; Columbia Pictures. This shows us that it is an American made film, and could even hint that the one of the themes is going to be the sport of American Football. The use of the light being held high and shining through the font shows that the it is shining the path for the narrative's characters to follow on their road to a crime free life. The use of non-diegetic sound, in the form of a voice over speaking about negative times in peoples lives, totally contradicts the image we see on screen of cheerleaders jumping around and celebrating. From the mise-en-scene, the colours worn by the cheerleaders-red- would show their love and passion for what they do, much like the love and passion that the inmates will learn to have for the sport that reforms them, and their subsequent lives, once they are released. They are also used to reinforce that a definite theme of the film will the sport of American Football. The group of people splashing around in the pool also serves as a contradiction to the non-diegetic voice over, as this group of people show that a key theme of the film will be comradeship, and the relationship with the boys that go out onto the field and play the sport you love, alongside you. The on screen image, then changes to match the thoughts expressed in the dialogue. As the close-up of the prop- a gun, is used which shows that another key theme of the film will be potential violence. The location of inside the small supermarket, which is usually a peaceful place where people go in order to keep themselves and their families alive, through keeping them fed and clean etc, is broken by the scream of a female as, what we can assume to be a key character to the narrative, pulls a gun on her husband- showing that he is their to take a life in an institution that is there to sell objects that help maintain it. As the sound of a gunshot echoes, we see and hear the smashing of a glass window, suggesting that the character's actions has shattered someones life... In the next shot- a medium close-up of his face, it appears to be his life that he's broken. He is in a caged van and has his hands handcuffed together- showing that his movements are going to be restricted from now on. The caged windows, allow natural light to shine through suggests that at some point his better side will prevail over his violent side. The positioning of the convicts is central, possibly suggesting that they have the power and authority in the shot, however, they are standing with their backs to the camera and as a guard walks past them, this creates an over the shoulder shot, immediately giving him the power and authority, which is supported by his police uniform, giving him a higher status in society as the protector of the people. The short fighting scene again, reinforces the idea that violence is going to be a key theme throughout the narrative. And the use of designated uniforms for the inmates immediately lowers their status within the shot and an society, as due to this, there is no difference from one offender to the next- they all appear to be bad people. An over the shoulder shot reveals the character that had spoken in the voice over until this point. Although we come to realise that the person who's shoulder we are looking over is his boss, the person is focus still has the authority, he is the man with the plan, the one willing to risk everything for this out of control group of criminals. In this scene, the use of the prop- a desk, between the coach and his superior acts as a barrier, as the coach is willing to do something to help the convicts, whereas his boss is more than happy to just keep them there, unreformed as they await their trials in court. The long establishing shot of the prison yard establishes the scene for the reforming players. From this scene we are able to see the harsh conditions they will be forced to play in. The shot of the coach, with his back to the camera speaking to the young offenders, appears to show them with the authority, however, he is positioned centrally and standing whereas the prisoners are kneeling, looking up at their new coach. The close-up of one member of the new teams' arm shows a gang tattoo, revealing another theme of gang warfare, and as two opposing gang members enter into a brawl, we are able to see that the coach is possibly trying to do the impossible. This is a stereotypical thing to happen in sports dramas, one person almost breaking and giving up, however it is what they do next- striving harder to be better, that really shapes the film and make it inspirational to it's audience. The use of a new uniform (a kit for their newly formed team) helps to raise the inmates' status, as they are now together as one and are different from other convicts as they have made an attempt for a better life. The use of the tracking shots of certain players/convicts on and off the ball shows their authority as the stars of the Mustangs team, and also reveals their passion and love for the game as they become central figures. The next shot shows various pieces of sporting equipment, more specifically those related to American Football, this again, reinforces the idea that sport is going to be a key theme in the narrative. The last few shots are put together well, with lots of jump cuts, showing some of the actual sporting clips from the film. They start with the Mustangs clearly being dominated, but seem to end with them coming up evens, ending on an enigma of whether the team will do well and if the players will conquer their inner demons and enter their lives outside of prison without all the hatred and violence from before.