Marinda Ofori Appiah Heist Film

What is a Heist film?

A Heist film is has complex plots around a group of people trying to take something. there are many plot twists, and film focuses on the characters' attempts to formulate a plan, carry it out, and escape with the

goods. There is often a nemesis were a former member turns out on the group.

History

Throughout the 1930s, thievery and scams were present in such films as Raffles, Outside the Law and Ninotchka. The classic film noir period of the 1940s and 1950s brought the genre to fame, by focusing more explicitly on the heists themselves, e.g. films

like john Huston.

Since that time caper movies have been shot in many variations, ranging from light-hearted folly of the

1960s classic It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. the genre still remains promising, as the remakes of Ocean's Eleven (2001) heist film can take would include the comedy heist film such as Topkapi.

The Archetypical plot

Usually a heist film will contain a three-act plot. The first act usually consists of the preparations for the heist: gathering conspirators, learning about the layout of the location to be robbed, learning about the alarm system, revealing innovative technologies to be used, and, most importantly, setting up the plot twists in the final act.The second act is the heist itself. With rare exception, the heist will be successful, though some number of unexpected events will occur.The third act is the unraveling of the plot.

Examples of Modern Heist films

After the sunset (2004)

The pink panther (2006)

Inception (2010)

The Italian job (2003)

Oceans 11 (2001)

Examples of Early films

Never a dull moment (1968)

The general (1998)

Raffles (1930)

Oceans 11 (1960)

Red block (1951)

Marinda Ofori Appiah Heist Film

Ideological Themes

Betrayal this is when more then one person devises the heist.Betrayal is shown through one character through the tense and suspicion through the film.Often betrayal performed by the person brings the act of supporting a rival group, it often used as a plot twist.

Team workHeist films in general require a group of members working in a team. In order for the heist to be successful it has A main leader who builds up the team members together in the group.

Against the oddsOne of the ideological themes that a heist theme relies on is against all odds. This were a problem to solve a solution is seen to Quiet impossible for the members to handle especially the main character.

manipulationThe act of manipulating in a heist film happens is usually used to entertain our being tension and fear in order for the heist to occur.

Narrative StructureVariations on the plot

As an established archetype, it became common, starting in the fifties, to excise one or two of the acts in the story, relying on the viewers'

familiarity with the archetype to fill in the missing elements. Touchez pas au grisbi and Reservoir Dogs, for example, both take place largely after

the heist has occurred.

One last big jobOne of the common forms of the heist is the one last big job. In it, a team

of criminals are gathered together for a final caper that will make their fortunes and take them away from a life of crime forever. Usually, the

added risk combined with the promise of an ideal life once the job is done provide for a natural element of suspense. The story then follows the

execution of the job, or, if in the beginning the job goes horribly wrong, with the actions of the survivor.

Related film archetypesThe "heist film" is the most well-known of a number of closely related archetypal storylines. All involving collaborative efforts that require

elaborate preparation and dramatic fallout, there is also: the prison-break film, the assassination film, and the hostage film (usually shown from the opposite perspective: that of the hostages and the rescuers). A number of

spy films also have heist-like plots.

Iconography

Character archetype

Stereotypical traits

Mise en scene

Leader Most presentable out of a team

Smart, usually the mastermind behind the heist

Formal or informal

But well represented as a the main member in character.

Beautiful women Manipulative

Interest in one of the members

Dressed well

Very sexy

And formal

villain Remorseless and

Vindictive

Handicapped or physically deformed

Hacker Smart

Scared

Inexperienced

Gadgets

Glasses

etc

Iconography/Technical aspects

Technical aspect Stereotypical traits

Cinematography Tracking shots to help follow a particular action or character.

Extreme close up to give intense tension within the characters or the action

Long shot to show the entire object or setting

Mise en scene cars, gadgets, guns, weapons, explosives, a hideout, computers etc

editing Continuing editing to give a sort of speed and tension within each scene.

Cross cutting

Slow action

sound Dialogues

Gun shots

Urban

Explosive sound

Marinda Ofori Appiah Heist Film

Poster Analysis

With reservoir dogs the posters create an effective image of all the characters, theThe main character and different plot twists seen within the image.

the main image of this poster shows the Protagonist defeating the villain. This image

Shows an unusual setting with the protagonistHaving high status as he stands above the

Villain, who seems to be very weak, howeverHe holds the gun to show some sort of strength.

The tagline is purposely positioned in the centreOf the poster next to the male protagonist, this Enables the audience to see the tagline first.

The Mise en scene used in the posters that bringA huge effect of the heist poster is

The guns which portrays tension and suspense Within the characters. Their costumes also shows

How intelligent and professional they look.

The background image of the poster is very lightIn brightness which allows the audience to seeBoth the characters. The colours also blend

In with the title.

The typography of the title is really big and bold.Its also sitting on top of the poster, this allows it to

Be eye catching to the audience.

Trailer analysis

This trailer called 4 321, shows effective Continuing shots which gives a sense

Of speed and tension. The tagline used Is also very catchy “until they became

The target”.

Shared Market conventionsTitle appears either at the bottom of the poster

wears professional intelligent formal clothingcredits are seen at the bottom of featured actors and released

datesthe image often has the main character in the middle, with other

characters behind the main character.