Notes on Essex Boys (2000)

Director:Terry Winsor

Writers: Jeff Pope and Jerry Winsor

Released: 14/07/00



Dramatic music is used on the opening credits, which creates tension. The colours black and white are also used on the credits, these are an example of a binary opposition. The opening scene is set in a dark garage, the garage is used for a claustrophobic feel, a typical thriller feature used. The noir lighting builds up suspense in the scene and gives off a gloomy and dangerous atmosphere. The noir lighting feature is a clue to the genre of the film. Noir lighting also suggests corruption of the characters within the film.

There's a non-diegetic sound used in the first scene of fingers scratching a black board. This suggests pain and uncomfortableness.

The establishing shot of shot of Billy in the garage is lit by chiaroscuro lighting, which suggests the genre and suspense that somebody could be hiding. Billy's breath is visible in the mise-en-scene, which indicates he's cold and adds to the uncomfortable atmosphere.

The voice over is a cultural signifier of Billy's Essex accent. The purpose of the voice over is that it engages the audience, it's as if the driver's addressing the audience.

The establishing shot of Jason Locke is a point of view shot. This is used so the audience can see Jason from Billy's perspective. Noir lighting is used again and the shot is seen through a dirty windsreen, which suggests Jason's corrupt and dirty.

A narrow road is used whilst they drive into Essex, this is to create a claustrophobic feel- a thriller convention. The rain on the roads reflects the genre of the film and the fact it's deserted builds up suspense in the scene.

A long, narrow, empty tunnel is used, which connotes claustrophobia. It's also a metaphorical mise-en-scene, as the tunnel looks like the barrel of a gun. Whilst driving through the tunnel there's a mise-en-scene of Billy in the car with the lights reflecting off, it looks like a prison cage. This makes the audience feel he's trapped and has no escape from Jason. In the next mise-en-scene the lights on the windscreen look like piano keys. This suggests Billy's being 'played' by Jason.

The next mise-en-scene is of them entering Essex. A close up shot of the sign 'Welcome To Essex' is used. It feels like they're taking the audience into Jason's world.

Billy's driving a white van, which signifys the genre. The white van represents Jason as a character and the fact Billy's driving it suggests he's entering in to Jason's world.