The Ellington Kid

 

Two friends sit in a kebab shop in London. One tells the other a story he'd heard about a boy who'd recently been stabbed by a gang in the street. (IMDB)

• First shot of the film is a close-up of knives, immediately emphasising them as central to the story and foreshadowing the violence to come.
• Shallow focus directs our attention towards these knifes.
• The use of a close-up means we can't see whose using the knife, adding an air of mystique to the character's presence. We immediately suspect there's something slightly off-kilter about him. 
• Diegetic sound of the knives being sharpened is repeated, furthering the ominous tone of this beginning. 

• Camera smoothly pushes in as Nathan begins to tell the story, drawing the audience just as Beefy is. Mid shot over Beefy's shoulder heightens the sense that we're being positioned with him as the story is being told. 
• Accents situates us and establishes the East London setting.
• Beefy's vibrant blue and yellow tracksuit, the red chairs of the Kebab shop and the naturalistic lighting create a relaxed, daytime atmosphere. Helps the audience to distinguish between the two narratives and separate the "real world" from Nathan's story. It establishes two very contrasting tones. 

• We are placed at their eye line throughout most of the conversation, further drawing the audience in and making them feel as though they are part of the conversation

• The blaring lights of the Kebab shop contrast with that of the other shops, which are all shut, giving it a mythical, god-like status as it comes to the boy's rescue. The lights reflect hope. 
• There's an element of social-realism to the film which makes it believable; it's a setting, situation and scenario which is not unheard of, especially in London. 
• It feels as though, at times, we're placed with the gang. Here, the camera follows the boy from behind as though we were chasing him.
• Set at night time, which is often associated with crime - the spectator expects violence and crime from this scenario.

• Quite an intimidating low-angle shot. Furthered by the fact he's pointing a knife almost directly at the camera. We as the audience feel threatened.
• Mask, knife and dressed in black - metaphorically darker. 
• The artificial lighting of the shop is very flat and sickly, creating unease and furthering the gritty tone of the film

• There's a sense of realisation in his expression, that he knows they're outnumbered and the only outcome of the scenario is a violent and probably fatal one. Artificial lighting makes his face appear a sickly pale colour, potentially foreshadowing his death. 
• Shallow depth of field focuses our attention on this expression. 
• The unexpected power and strength of these kebab workers is conveyed through the lack of focus; the figure is blurred and hidden, yet appears very powerful.
• At this point, the score has intensified, drowning out the voices - tension reaches its peak. 

• Followed by sudden cut back to Nathan and Beefy to signify that he's stopped telling the story. It's left up to our imagination as to what happens next.