The document discusses common elements found in murder mystery films. There is typically a detective or civilian trying to solve a crime by piecing together clues and evidence. A key character provides important information to help solve the brutal killing. Films feature settings related to the crime for investigating, as well as an office for analyzing clues. Editing often uses fade to blacks to add suspense, while iconography portrays dull and dark days to set a depressing mood that matches the serious events. Soundtracks contribute mellow, eerie music to build tension throughout the film. Common themes involve conspiracy or pursuit.

2. 
 A usual storyline for a film of this genre is that there
is an unsolved crime at hand, and the plot centres
around the detective who is the protagonist. The plot
is usually based around the protagonist attempting
to unravel the crime or situation by piecing together
clues and circumstances, seeking evidence,
interrogating witnesses, and tracking down a
criminal.
Typical Storylines

3. 
 There is always someone usually trying to solve a
crime whether that be a detective or a normal
civilian. Also, there is always a villain to catch.
Relating to the character theory by Propp, there is
someone who will have information about the brutal
killing, someone Propp would call a doner or a
helper. There will also have to have some victims in
murder mystery, otherwise there can be no murders.
Characters

4. 
 The setting is wherever the crime takes them, they
may be in inside a victim or a leads house, or they
may be outside investigating. There is usually an
office where they can put together clues to solve the
crime at hand.
Settings

5. 
 I have seen a lot of fade to blacks in the films I have
analysed. This could mean there is quite a dark
matter at hand and adds suspense to the scene. There
aren’t many jump cuts as the scene often stays at one
scene and doesn’t cut to a different story.
Editing

6. 
 As it’s quite a sad day, It’s sometimes a very dull and
dark day, sometimes even raining. This makes the
meaning of what has happened on that day seem
quite depressing and dark. I see this iconography is
reoccurring through many of the murder mysteries I
have analysed.
Iconography

7. 
 There is usually a soundtrack to a murder mystery,
like any other film. There is usually some mellow,
eerie orchestral music. This adds to the tension to the
film. As with all film, I will have to include some
dialogue and some diagetic sound.
Use of Sound

8. 
 In a murder mystery film, the be repeated themes I
have seen are conspiracy or pursuit of something or
someone.
Themes