Genre - Crime

Crime 
Crime is a broad genre of film in which crime is the principle focus of the narrative. Crime films often feature the criminals as the 'protagonist' or the anti-hero, as the film recounts their rise and fall. However, this may not always be the case as the film may follow the protagonist investigating a crime eg. Murder Mystery. This is particularly common in crime-thrillers where mystery and suspense would be key elements in the plot. Crime is generally a more heavy genre of film. Binary opposites are a common feature in crime films.

Conventions of the Crime Genre 
The conventions of a crime genre are often quite similar throughout the entire genre - even in varying subgenres of the film eg. comedy.

• Setting - the most common location for Crimes to be set is in an urban area, particularly inner cities or 'mean streets'. This is an appropriate setting because they're well populated meaning that crime is more common in these areas which creates realism. Furthermore, urban areas aren't considered peaceful but rougher and more violent which creates a more serious environment fitting for a heavy genre like crime. These settings are most commonly at night time - which is the stereotypical time in which crime takes place. The dark is associated with fear and crime, making it an appropriate time. Seedy areas where shady characters are generally prone to be present - this includes run down or poor areas of the city or 'adult' areas. Areas associated with the justice system may be used eg. police stations, detective offices (particularly run down, dingy ones). Areas associated with the rich or famous may be used too. This is seen in the crime comedy film, 'The Nice Guys'. A lot of the time, rich or famous people's houses may be used as a target for the criminal. The protagonist's house is likely to be cheap and temporary. Abandoned or run down warehouses are commonly used too. Occasionally, crime films may feature isolated country houses cut off from civilisation. Banks are common locations for crime films involving heists. Mob crime films are typically set in the early-mid 20th century, when gangster/mob culture was alive. 

• Technical Codes - Low angles are used to make the antagonist - perhaps even the protagonist - look powerful and intimidating by making them look bigger. Fast paced cutting may be used to build excitement whereas slow paced cutting may be used to create tension, frustration or impatience in the audience. In murder mystery crime films, point-of-view shots are effective to depict a murder from the murderer's perspective without actually showing the murderer to the audience. In darker crime films, the colour grading will typically be darker and moodier. High contrast and sharper images are useful to contain lots of detail in a scene - this helps the audience observe any subtle details relating to the plot. 

• Characters - When the crime film focuses on a protagonist investigating a crime, a male detective is often used as it's considered a 'male genre' and shows a 'male's view' of the world. The male detective is often either single or divorced and very independent. They're often tough and wise but often show difficulty empathising, expressing human emotion and maintaining relationships - some would be so extreme they may be considered a sociopath. They typically have many useful connections, including professional and underworld figures. They often have their own set of moral standards as opposed to merely abiding by the law - this leaves them open to breaking the law. They often have a past life which brought them suffering - could have been a former criminal or a former police officer etc. It is common for them to drive a specific car which the value very much - perhaps above all things - they also have a very refined and smart fashion sense, commonly dressing in suits and professional/smart attire. The protagonist is generally quite dedicated - perhaps because they have nothing going for them outside of work. Secondary characters may include the victim or the victim's family. These are often female characters - this may be because they're seen by some people as delicate, vulnerable or weak. Moreover, it makes the criminal seem worse because they've targeted someone who typically would be seen as 'less able' to defend themselves. Female characters are often portrayed in a bad light as there are often 'femme fetale' characters involved to seduce the protagonist and perhaps trick them into trouble. Other characters may include the police, who are often frustrated with the protagonist's method of investigation. Crime bosses who the protagonist is working against are involved too, as well as small-time criminals who the protagonist may intimidate information out of. If the film focuses on the criminals, then the anti-hero or protagonist will generally have redeeming factors to them that make the audience like them in spite of their criminal actions. They're often quite empathetic or have no choice because someone or their lifestyle is forcing them into this criminal activity. Corrupt officials may be featured too. Mobs or gangs of criminals are heavily featured.

• Lighting - Lighting can be quite stark in crime films to create a moody or mysterious atmosphere. Artificial lights are common - they correlate with the urban environment. Heavy and exaggerated artificial lighting is used in interrogation scenes because it has an intimidating effect over the person being interrogated, especially when a spotlight is used as it puts them on the spot. Furthermore, people being under directed light traditionally connotes truthfulness, which correlates well with the idea of an interrogation.  

• Sound - Diegetic sounds such as dialogue are important to drive the narrative forward, as information regarding the plot needs to be verbally expressed so the audience is completely aware. Music in crime films can be both soundtrack and score, as a score is useful to shift the mood of the audience. Cool rock music popular among men is commonly used - not only does it appeal to the audience, but it also makes the audience see the characters as cool, which makes them more inclined to like them. 

• Props - Props used as weapons are very common in crime films, the most commonly used weapons are guns - used by both the protagonist and antagonist. Drugs are often used to create a sense of danger and badness. Cool cars are often featured - these are used to create a sense of power. 

Target Audience 

The primary target audience for crime films is adult males. This is because the content is generally quite mature as it often features violence, sex, drugs and other adult-natured subjects unsuitable for children. Elderly people may find the content tasteless, too graphic or scary and therefore wouldn't be a suitable target audience. Males are typically the target audience for crime films because of the particular man-oriented aspects - including a dominant male protagonist and 'male ideologies' eg. that females are considered vulnerable etc. Moreover, the portrayal of violence is stereotypically not suited to females. On the other hand, contemporary crime films occasionally feature strong female leads e.g The Silence of the Lambs.

What do Film Companies Do To Attract These Audiences in Terms of Marketing? 
Film companies address the target audience themselves by placing posters in areas that the target audience may be. For example, the target audience is males so the posters may be placed in 'masculine' places like gyms etc. They may be placed on male-oriented websites and social media - particularly where lad culture is promoted as lad culture promotes the idea of dominance in males which is commonly played on in crime films.

• Posters - Crime film posters often show the protagonist[s]. These are because the protagonists clearly look cool and will, therefore, get the target audience to admire them, as men are often in awe of suave looking characters. The character[s] on the poster will typically be dressed in smart attire and sometimes wear a hat - this style is almost synonymous with the genre and therefore easily identifiable to the target audience. This style of poster is also effective when a famous actor is starred in the role. Crime posters often show some form of violence or violent weapon on the poster - guns in particular. The colour scheme will generally be quite flat as opposed to colourful - this adds a mysterious appeal and is therefore fitting to the genre. The fonts may be quite thick, bold and large - yet still in basic colours. This adopts a typical masculine style, therefore appeasing the target audience. Sometimes, the posters adopt a cartoon style. The film poster on the left below for Reservoir Dogs is a perfect example of a specific crime poster. It includes violence and weapons (gunfight) as well as sharp dressed men - basic colours with only a splash of colour and a bold font. The poster on the right for Public Enemies is very flat toned and unsaturated in colour. It also includes a sharp dressed man with a gun and bold font. 

• Trailers - Trailers use rock music to set a 'cool' masculine mood for the film, instantly appealing to the target audience. It may maintain mystery and include a unique and slowish introduction of the protagonist. The setting and overall plot summary may be introduced and the focus will mainly be of the masculinity of the characters so the target audience will admire them and therefore be drawn to the film. 

Example of a Crime Film Opening Sequence 

The Silence of the Lambs (1991, Jonathan Demme) 

This crime film opening features many conventions, however, challenges many others. For example, the character introduced and solely focused on throughout the sequence is female, whereas the protagonist for crime films are often tough and assertive males. Not only is she a female protagonist, but she's depicted as physically strong and able, this contradicts the idea crime creates that involves female characters being vulnerable and weak. However, this strange element is highlighted as unusual by the film itself by placing her among prominently male characters to make her look odd. On the other hand, the character is clearly in some sort of police training exercise - this already positions the character in a professional occupation associated with the justice system and law enforcement - a common convention of the crime genre. The lighting suggests that it is dawn - suggesting the character's dedication to her work (another common element in crime film protagonists). Futhermore, dawn lighting is quite stark which therefore creates an air of mystery - despite the lacking of any mysterious activity it still correlates with the overall theme of mystery associated with the genre. Low angles are used to depict the character climbing over the obstacles. The music over the top is quite inspiring but dramatic scoring, this is effective because the inspiring effect it creates works well with the nature of her activity. Furthermore, using an original score sets a serious and professional tone for the film. The lighting gets brighter as the exterior of a large building is shown - the bright lighting over a professional, law enforcement building helps build a sense of safety associated with the justice system and the police. Artificial lighting is used inside the building, this is common in crime films. Moreover, guns are briefly seen - another common element in crime films. Bold text is used.