Conventions of Our Crime Film: Media

1. Conventions of our
Crime Film
George Johnson

2. About Our Film
Our movie is that of a crime film, particularly a heist picture; it follows an amateurish robber on
his quest to ‘make it big time’ and pull of a major bank heist with two other experienced
criminals.
The film may contain comedic undertones, yet the film is more of that of light-hearted drama as
opposed to an all out comedy.
The basic plot is that which follows:
The scene would open in a corner shop/ post office, something like that in which the shop
assistant will be talking with a customer, these two will not necessarily have to have their faces
on camera as it is not essential to the story.
Midway through there tedious conversation a robber, dressed as expected, balaclava, black
clothing etc. bursts in with a knife and screams various profanities to the shopkeeper in order to
intimidate- holding the weapon towards him/her whilst (s)he loads money into a carrier bag
provided. As soon as the money is placed in the bag and given back to the robber, he scurries out
of the shop and runs into a dark area/ getaway car in which two other people are already
located. The robber removes his mask and asks “did I do alright?” or something along those lines,
a cut is made to the disappointed faces of his two accomplices which is then followed by a
camera cut to the outside of the car/ dark area showing a trail of money as to where the bag has
split, probably follow this up with “fuck” or “shit”.

3. Typical Storylines within Heist Films
Heist films tend to follow a basic formula, in which a leader of a crew,
occasionally one recently released from prison, intends to break into a
bank/casino, and thus (s)he assembles a group of experienced criminals to aid in
their quest to break into the building in which money is kept covertly, such as in
‘Ocean’s 11’, or, they plan out a detailed plan in which they would raid the bank
in broad daylight, such as in ‘Point Break’.
However, within our film, we have chosen not to include the formation of a heist
crew, but rather already have a pre-established group of robbers, and rather
than meticulous planning that would be present within these films, all of the
criminals within our storyline are incompetent and thus the heist will not be
successful.

4. Typical Characters within Heist Films
Group Leader: Typically an experienced criminal, usually will have served a
prison sentence, though it may not necessarily be for robbery. Have high
intelligence and are aware of the basic workings of a bank.
Tactician: The strategist, organizer of the heist. Obtains blueprints and security
information, also highly intelligent. Plans meticulously.
Inside Man: Occasionally, somebody who works within the targeted heist area,
helps to aid the robbery in exchange for a cut of the stolen items.
Explosives Expert: Typically ex-military, yet not necessarily. Has an in-depth
knowledge of explosives that would be used to blow open safe doors.

5. Typical Settings and Location within
Heist Films
 Banks
 Bookies
 Corner Shops
 Supermarkets
 Post Offices
 ‘Heist Planning’ Rooms
 Police Stations
 City Centres

6. Camera Angles intended for use
POV shots from the victim’s perspective whilst a mugging is taking place and
when senior criminals are belittling the amateur.
Long Shots of the robbers unsuccessful attempt to get into the bank.
Medium Close Ups can be used for talking shots.
(Extreme) Close Ups can also be used to focus on objects intended to be stolen.
Generic:
 Medium Shots
 Medium Long Shots
 Reverse-angle Medium Close Ups

7. Editing and Sound
Jump Cuts should probably not be used within the film, as they don’t particularly
serve a purpose within the movie.
Spatial editing will be useful, especially when match on action and other similar
dramatic devices are present. Overlapping editing may be useful to create
dramatic effect and suspense, elliptical editing will probably have a similar
effect.
Background music will be continually used throughout the film, particularly
within shops. Music would also be useful within montages of criminal activity,
which would be Britpop-esque, hinting that the film doesn’t take itself too
seriously.

8. Iconography
Iconography, per se, would not particularly be used within our film but a list of
props that are intended for use include:
 Weapons (knives/guns)
 Balaclavas
 Black Clothing
 Plastic Carrier Bags
 Blueprints

9. Titles
The title sequence would probably play whilst the film is taking place, with those
who were involved within the production names appearing whilst the criminal is
preparing for his crime and entering the shop within the first scene.
The title can appear whilst the opening scene cuts to black, prior to the second
scene.