Crime Thriller Conventions

About:

Hey guys,

In this blog, I’m going to explore the key conventions of the crime thriller genre. After watching three films, I’ve started to understand how these conventions connect with mise-en-scène to help the audience interpret what they’re seeing. I’ll also define what a genre convention is, explain how it applies to crime thrillers, and see how this understanding can support my future production work. In the crime thriller genre, there are specific elements that appear frequently, helping viewers recognize it as part of that genre. I’ll include examples of mise-en-scène and common themes typically found in crime thrillers.

Genre Convention:

I liked how the website Fiveable explained genre conventions: “Genre conventions are the established norms and characteristics that define a specific genre, helping audiences identify and categorize films based on familiar patterns. These conventions can include elements like themes, character types, settings, and narrative structures that resonate with viewers’ expectations.” This definition was clear, and I’m going to take note of it in case I ever forget what “genre convention” specifically means.

Mise-en-scene:

-Location:

Empty houses or buildings
Big cities that can be filled with crime.
Remote islands
Police station
Dark forest

-Props:

A variety of weapons like knifes, hammer, and guns; weapons are probably the most common prop. Used by killer or investigator.
Flash light
Clip board or something they use to write details about the crime.
gloves

-Clothing:

Suits that investigator have on while on the scene.
Coats
Normal clothing for a disguised serial killer.

-Lighting

Usually low-key light
Natural light
dim light

Important Conventions:

MacGuffin are the objective or desires a antagonist has.
Investigative Red Herrings: Clues that mislead the protagonist through out the film.
Challenging desires: The protagonist will try to stop the antagonist desires which will make them want to beat the protagonist as painful as possible.
Clock: The protagonist has limited time to act before the antagonist reaches their goal.

Before researching these conventions, I didn’t know what MacGuffins or red herrings were. This research definitely helped me with the development of my opening scene. I now understand that it’s vital to know my antagonist’s desires in order to structure the beginning of the movie effectively. Knowing when to apply these elements will be a challenge, but it’s something I’ll make sure to focus on.

What's Next:

I’m going to work on identifying the target audience and understanding who is most attracted to this genre. I have a general idea of who the target audience might be, but I’m not completely sure yet. I want to fully capture what my audience is looking for because I think that’s an essential part of creating a successful film in any genre.

Source
https://storygrid.com/thriller-genre/

https://windsorgirls.weebly.com/gemini-productions/codes-and-conventions-in-thriller-opening-scenes

https://fiveable.me/film-and-media-theory/key-terms/genre-conventions

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/criminal-fashion/

https://www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/crime-conventions