LO2: Apply Codes and Conventions of Your Chosen Genre

LO2: Apply Codes and Conventions of Your Chosen Genre

During each stage of production, I kept in mind the influences for I'm So Lucky as the shot types and narrative structures they use were intrinsic to the crime drama genre which I wanted to portray in the film. Examples of this comparison can be drawn to the script. The older target audience is signified as ABC1 through the non-linear story structure of the script, in comparison to other crime drama fiction which takes a similar approach such as Reservoir Dogs which shares a similar demographic. This evident in the transitions between the initial bar scene and everything leading up to it. The contrast of elaborate and restricted code between Custeau and the Mob Boss further this to create connotations of humour and danger for the protagonist as he's wildly out of his depth. 

Similarly to other crime dramas, I created a juxtaposition of low and high angles to signify danger and build tension within a scene; this evident in the contrast between Custeau and the Mob Boss within their scenes. The conventions of the crime drama genre were also furthered in this juxtaposition by costume which, for the Mob Boss/Member, was typical of the genre through the denotations of formal suits to convey connotations of a powerful male. The otherwise boorish appearance of Custeau exists to contradict and contrast these connotations akin to other crime dramas like The Big Lebowski. 

Location was an important point in creating the atmosphere of a crime drama; this was achieved through denoting places with dingy or dangerous connotations such as a bar with low-key lighting or using panning shots with denotations of Custeau being taken hostage to fit within the conventions of the crime genre. 

Through using props which are contextualised within the crime genre, such as the drug bag, the conventions of crime dramas are furthered through denotations which are typical of the genre.