The document discusses key elements of the mystery genre in film and literature. It outlines common character archetypes in mystery films, such as detectives and villains. It also describes typical settings for mystery stories, such as woods, abandoned buildings, and schools. The document then explains the classic structure of a mystery narrative, from introducing the crime to the detective solving it. It provides tips for structuring mystery novel chapters, such as beginning in medias res or with a plot twist. Finally, it emphasizes the role of the detective in unraveling clues to identify the perpetrator and resolve the mystery.

1. LA2: use research methods to
investigate an existing product
Chosen genre: mystery

2. Main codes and conventions to mystery films:
A main feature in mystery films is the use of characters and how they’re portrayed. Some stereotypes
in mystery films include…
• Police or private detectives
• Main character who puts an end to the mystery.
• Woman who is just there as a love interest.
• Masked villain
• Tag along/ helper person.

3. Common locations/ setting within mystery movies include…
• Woods
• Abandoned building
• Darkish places
• Vintage places
• Modern/vintage
• School buildings etc
The reason most mystery films have locations like this is because it sets the scene and you always know if
the film will be good because of 1) the location and 2) because of the script.

4. What Is the Structure of a Mystery Novel?
1.The crime. The audience is introduced to the crime
around which the story is based.
2.Investigation. The detective works on solving the
mystery. They question each suspect, search for clues,
and follow new leads in hopes of finding the guilty party.
3.Twist. The detective finds a new clue, an unexpected
lead, or a crack in a suspect’s alibi that shocks them—and
the reader—and changes the course of the investigation.
4. Breakthrough. The detective uncovers the last
remaining piece of the puzzle and solves the mystery.
5. Conclusion. The culprit is caught and all outstanding
questions are resolved.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-mystery-genre#what-is-the-history-
of-mystery-novels
Written by MasterClass

5. Structure your mystery novel’s chapters attentively
In chapter openings you can:
•Open in the middle of an unknown setting
•Open your chapter in the middle of a tense situation
•Begin with the discovery that something previously
thought true was false.
Costumes.
Usually the characters in a mystery film where normal casual clothes but sometimes they where more
casual but costume clothes.

6. Detective-mystery films emphasize the detective or person(s) (an amateur, a plain-
clothes policeman, or a PI - Private Investigator) solving the crime through clues and
exceptional rational powers. The detective studies the intriguing reasons and events
leading to the crime, and eventually determines the identity of the villain (a murderer, a
master spy, an arch fiend, an unseen evil, or a malignant psychological force). The
central character usually explores the unsolved crime, unmasks the perpetrator, and
puts an end to the effects of the villainy.
https://www.filmsite.org/mysteryfilms.html