Genre Conventions

An essay about the genre, gangster/crime, chosen for my group's film sequence:

In my group’s creative project we will be filming a sequence from a gangster/crime genre film. To do this we will be using the usual gangster genre conventions or codes. These conventions help create expectations of the film for the audience, from the characters and the Mise-en-scène to the overall story and plot. The actual gangster/crime genre is very similar to the film noir genre as they share many of the same conventions.

The identity of the protagonist in gangster/crime genre films is important and unlike other genre films there is a clear choice that can completely change the story; having either a law abiding police officer for a protagonist or a criminal. Having, for example, a member of the police for a protagonist means the film has elements of an action genre; the film follows the protagonist as they try to catch or kill the criminal usually for personal motives, i.e. revenge. However, having a criminal for a protagonist is almost unconventional in its self. They usually face an antagonist of another criminal or even a police officer. This means that the formula used for action, adventure, sci-fi and even horror films has been turned on its head; the usual ‘hero’, the police or crime fighting hero, is now the antagonist, someone the audience shouldn’t like as they oppose the protagonist. Because the protagonist is a criminal the audience are treated to a new perspective in a film. Gangster films almost always glorify criminals and gangsters and what they do. The characters are given new dimensions and depths that most antagonist criminals in action films aren’t: deep back stories on how and why they grew to be a criminal.

Another convention of gangster/crime genre films is their use of location, something very similar to that of film noir. One of the most recognisable conventions of gangster films is the use of ‘underground’ locations, maybe a nightclub or a small alleyway. To emphasise these locations as dark, dangerous places the use of light and dark is important; casting dark shadows around the gangster and using very little light makes them seem more dangerous.

A further convention of the gangster/crime genre is the use of music and sound throughout the film. A feature also common to film noir is the use of voice-overs throughout some gangster films. This voice-over grants us the right to hear the protagonist’s inner thoughts and motives, and adds a personal touch to the film. This is especially useful in a gangster/crime genre film as it means the audience can become closer to the criminal protagonist and understand them a little more. This means they can relate to them and even care about what happens to them, meaning they care for the antagonist, the police, less. The music used in a gangster film is also important; dark, unsettling music adds to the dark atmosphere and gives the film another dimension. It helps create the suspense needed in some of the film’s most dramatic scenes and moments.

An additional convention needed for gangster/crime genre films is the use of Mise-en-scène. Props and costumes are vital to these films; gangster films need props, especially guns. A gangster/crime film without the use of prop guns seems strange and an unexpected, especially to the audience who have certain expectations of gangster films, guns one of them. Costumes are also significant because, like any other film, they define the characters, protagonist and antagonist. Giving the criminals and gangsters dark, black imposing suits gives them a sense of unity and seriousness. It also makes them appear very impressive and dangerous, something a criminal protagonist needs.

In our creative project, we will use these conventions of the gangster or crime genre film to create our sequence. This way it will be recognisable as a gangster film, and create certain expectations and feelings in the audience that gangster/crime films do.