Director Research: Martin Scorsese

Other Films: Mean Steets, Taxi Driver, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Raging Bull

After finally watching Goodfellas (thanks to Michael) and thoroughly enjoying it, I was compelled to do some research into the Director, Scoresese's, work and the techniques he uses...

Many see 'Goodfellas' to be the high point in Scorsese's career and shows a fantastic display of the director's cinematic technique. Scorsese usually begins his films with segments of the film taken from the middle/the end of the story plot. I think this is particularly influential for me and my thriller as it is very enigmatic and makes the audience want to keep watching the film. Scorsese is a huge fan of long, tracking takes and uses them in many of his films. Below is the legendary clip taken from 'Goodfellas' showing the long tracking shot of Henry and Karen walking into a restaurant. This clip puts the audience in the point of view of Karen who Henry is about to sweep off her feet. I find the maneuvering of the camera through the tight hallways while maintaining dialogue and a high level of acting very impressive.

Goodfellas Opening Sequence-
The Opening sequence of 'Goodfellas' raises a number of questions in the audiences minds the main one of which is; what is Scorsese trying to tell us? The first thing we see is 3 men in a car driving into the woods and we hear a banging coming from inside the boot. The car stops, the men get out of the car and the camera zooms in on the boot. Next, the boot opens and there is a reverse shot back on the men as if something is staring at them. We then see the boot open and see a man covered in blood pleading for his life. Two of the men seem to sympathise with the man but the third shoots him a number of times. The camera then zooms in on the main character and 'antihero' of the film whose voice over says "As far back as I can remember, i always wanted to be a gangster" which is a strange thing to say in those circumstances. The scene is very enigmatic and the audience don't know why any of the things happening in the scene are happening. The only way to answer their questions will be to watch the film.


Binary Opposites in the film
e.g. Law vs. Criminal
Family Greatness vs. Underworld
Glamour vs. Despair

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I've decided I want to base my thriller sequence around gangsters, crime and vigilantes.