Codes and Conventions of the Crime Genre

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.