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Codes and Conventions of the Crime Genre

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Crime films are films that focus on criminals, these films often glorifying these criminal acts.


Typical codes and conventions found in the crime genre include:


  • The consumption of alcohol

  • The use of weapons

  • Emphasises the tough upbringing or difficult environment of the character

  • Police attempt to arrest this criminal or these criminals.




Typical costumes in crime films:

  • Tend to emphasise the fact that these criminals have little money, hence wearing rather cheap clothing or tracksuits is the norm.




Characters:

  • Usually a male character who has had a tough early-life.

  • Usually does not have much family or has a family that has left him.

  • Normally the characters are rude and angry.


Typical Settings:

  • Banks

  • Homes

  • Police Stations

  • Poor urban environment


Typical editing techniques and sound:

  • Low key lighting→ by not demonstrating a characters full face and leaving somebody's face in shadows it answers a Roland Barthes “enigma code” and increases the mysterious element of the film.

  • High angle shot→ A filming technique which includes the camera looking down at the subject from above, helps to convey the idea that a certain character is very vulnerable and is in danger.

  • Non-diegetic sound→ music used to increase the tension on screen.

Typical Messages of film:

  • Crime films often portray the police in a bad light

  • Highlight the high levels of violence present in impoverished places.


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