Conventions Of a Crime Film

Conventions and codes in a film are used to express what the genre is we are watching.  For example, the use of props, different lighting effects. For the audience to understand that my title sequence is a crime film, I needed to look at other opening sequences and see what they had in common. The conventions need to be clear and recognisable, even stereotypical from the very beginning to set the atmosphere and mood instantly. I looked at some opening sequences such as:


Poirot - After the funeral opening Sequence
The Godfather Opening Sequence


I have analysed these clips and noticed they have features in common.
Some of the conventions i found that were always present was as follows:

• A group of criminals or ''bad guys'' to cause problems
• Detectives or police officers who solve the crime
• Detectives to have their face fully lit up
• Detectives wearing lighter coloured clothing
• A dilemma which stops the detectives carrying out their mission
• A isolated, dark, dirty location for the crime to take place
• An establishing shot of the location
• Guns for the detectives and criminals
• Suspence and tension caused by the music or low lighting 
• A blue filter on the camera to create tension and the feeling of being cold and eerie 
• Criminals to be smoking and smoke all around the set
• Shadows created on the criminal's faces
• Money on a table with the criminals gathered around

After looking multiple opening sequences from many genres, I found this one to be the most usful to me as it is very similar to my group's title sequence Starky and Hutch


Comedy is my chosen sub genre and here are some conventions i noticed in this title sequence:

• Slap stick comedy such as being smacked in the face
• Over exaggerated movements with the gun
• Bright lightening when the police duo are in the room
• Pain inflicting is seen as comedy not serious
• Music used is more bouncy to create a lighter atmosphere
• Casual clothing for costumes