Media assignment

1. MOVIE GENRE RESEARCH
GENRE;CRIME
CAMERA SHOTS;
 As crime films tend to be predominantly focusedaroundpowerful groupsand figures, it is
importanttohelp convey thesecharacters power andauthority throughtheuse of low angle
shots. Thistype of shotwill meanthat the audience is always lookinguptowards the powerful
figures and so will be establishthe power dynamic.
 the vulnerability of the victims can be accentuated throughthe useof high angledshots as
the audience will always be lookingdown onthem and will understandthatthey lack
authority within thatcurrent sitaution.
 facial expressionsof the characters andthusreveals key details aboutthe mindsetof the
characters within a given sitatuion. Insteadof conveyingthe fear of a victim throughdialogue,
it is far simpler to show thisinformationthroughhavinga close-upor extreme close-upshot
of a man’sfearful face. Similarly, close-upsof a stern andfearless face of a criminal can create
more tensionand unease.
 the dolly zoom useof thisshot is effective at creating an epiphanicmomentin which a huge
twist or secret unfoldsbefore boththe viewer and the character.
 the handheldshot, in which the camera is deliberately shaky orunstable. If used incorrectly
andtoo often, it can make the film look highly unprofessional, however, if donecorrectly it
can evokea sense of unpreparednessandandcan create a feeling of disorientationfor the
audience.
 Establishing shots are also used in order to set the scene and show the location and
environmentof the crime andnarrative. These are typically in large cities such as London.
MISE-EN-SCENE;
 Once more, similar to actiongenre films, weaponssuch asknives andguns, and
stereotypically crowbars are used in crime films during the scene of the crime. Weaponsare
usedas a signof threat, being used for protectionand domination butalsoas a means of
completingthe crime. The colour of the weapons will be typically dark (black/grey), this
symbolisingevil anddanger, portrayingthem as the antagonistorvillain. Low-key lighting is
usedin order tocreate a dark atmosphere in crime genre films, conveyingfeelings of danger
andalso creating anenigma code as in the darkness, the audience is unsureof what is exactly
happening.
EDITING;
 Similar to action films, editing techniquesand stylesin crime genre films movesfrom slow to
fast, changingthe pace of the narrativeand speedingup in short, spikingmomentsof intense
action. This being typically usedwhen escaping from the crime scene or runningaway from
whoever is chasing them. The use of quick and fast-paced editing andcuts, the film gives a
thrilling atmospherewith high levels of nail-bitingtension. Incontrastthe use of long, slower
edits are also used, typically duringmoment the crime takingplace, e.g. sneakingpasta
security guard.
SOUND;
 The use of fast-pacedmusicis typically used in crime films in order to create a fast paced
atmosphereanddraw in the attentionof the viewer. This will typically happenduring
momentswhen the criminals are escaping from the scene of the robbery andin addition
when we are introducedto the characters. (E.g. Italian Job+ Snatch)