Crime Genre- Codes and Conventions
As I discussed in my last post, 'Genre- Codes and Conventions', there are certain techniques and values that each genre has to comply with.
The crime genre is no different to any other genre in that it has a specific set of conventions that make it unique. The biggest conventin is that the lead character is more often than not a male detective with some sort of inner conflict. The secondary character is usually a women and is often given a femme fatale role. There are also a number of background characters such as a boss, forensic team and other lesser detectives.
The genre often contains a lot of mystery and intrigue. The majority of crime dramas, for example, follow a similar storyline. They often start with a murder which a detective or team of detectives must work out who the killer was and how they committed the crime before then catching them. Sometimes crime dramas and films will end on a cliff hangar to add to that sense of mystery and to ensure that viewers will return.
The main themes of this genre include 'Good vs. Evil', but not always from the point of the good character. A good example of this is 'Narcos' which often follows both sides of the argument fairly and lets the viewer make their mind up. Corruption, Power and abuse of power are also often used as themes along with morality. There are also the standard; murder, drugs and money laundering themes commonly associated with crime.
Most crime dramas and films are set in urban locations such as alleyways, schools, police stations, etc. However the odd drama, such as 'Broadchurch', are set in more rural locations. A lot of the time they are set at night, however if they are set in the day time it is often in dark, eerie locations.