This document summarizes the conventions shown in the trailer for the gangster film "The Untouchables". Scenes establishing the production company and setting are typical openings. Shots of the main character imply his importance as a crime boss through his clothing and people serving him. Scenes of destruction suggest crimes committed by gangs. Law enforcement attempting to stop gangs positions them as heroes against the criminal opposition. Props like guns being practiced with indicate police training to overcome losing battles with gangs. Confrontations between police intercepting possible criminal activities through shows of force are common conventions of the genre.

1. Untouchables Trailer
Storyboard

2. A typical convention of a gangster film and all films is to show the name or logo
of the company that produced the film, in the Untouchables trailer the first shot is
of the name of the company that produced the film ‘Paramount Pictures’.

3. The next shot establishes were the film is set this is typical for films however in gangster
films the establishing usually tells the viewer were the crimes are taking place. Additionally in
the shot is the American flag which tells the viewer that it is set in America. The mis-en-scene
includes tall buildings that have an urban city look this is convention of a gangster film.

4. This shot was the first shot of a person up close, this shows us the main character and shows that
he is if importance therefore likely to be the boss and in charge of the crime going on in the film this
is a typical connotation for a gangster film. We can also tell by his costume that he is wealthy
therefore in charge and likely to have a lot of money that he has
made off crime.

5. We can see that Robert Dinero has a lot of influence because he is having his beard shaven
for him usually normal people shave the own beard, this show of influence connotes that
people may be scared of him, a typical connotation for crime boss’s in gangster films is for
people to fear them.

6. This shot shows destruction caused by a fire/explosion, this is a common connotation for
gangster films because usually the destruction is caused by gang associated crimes such
as stealing, fights etc.

7. In gangster films it is typical for you to have someone in the law enforcement that is
trying to stop crime in the town, this person is usually seen as the hero and usually
succeeds at the end despite the opposing force which is usually the gang committing the
crimes. The costume he is wearing is a police uniform that connotes to authority and power
it is typical for you to have someone of this status in a gangster film.

8. In this shot we can see a prop that is being used by one of the characters, a gun.
Guns typical props used a weapons in gangster films as well as knives, bats etc. These
weapons are usually used to kill, assault or generally just to commit violent crimes. The
weapons are usually used by the gang or by the law enforcement.

9. This shot shows someone training on how to use a gun, in background we can see a pole that
says police academy. This show the audience that the police are training in order to win against the
opposing side which is the gang. It shows that during this point of the film that the law
enforcement are losing against gang. In films the storyline includes a point were the hero is
losing this shot show that this is what is happening in this is point of the film.

10. This shot includes a riot van on the road with police officers by its side, this shows us
the viewers that a gang is possibly about to be intercepted by the law enforcement. In gangster films
a typical convention is confrontations between law enforcements and gangs. In this shot we can also
see a police officer holding a bat this shows that he is ready for a physical fight is the needs arises. A
typical convention of a gangster film is physical fight between the opposing sides.

11. These two shots show different angles of the law enforcement intercepting possible crime
related activities. We can see the law enforcement dressed in suits holding guns pointed
to the workers. The workers are holding their hands up which connotes to them surrendering
because they have been caught. It is typical for people committing crime related offences to
be caught by law enforcement.