Repertoire of elements – heist.
Characters: A heist film conventionally has
range of main characters, archetypes to the genre, who hold certain
specialities and expertise. There is always –
The leader – (stereotypically a man) This person generally accumulates
the rest of the crew members, choosing them either because of past jobs he has pulled
with them, connections through other people, or any other source that makes
them a reliable selection. He is also the head of the operation, who rigorously
thinks through the explicitly thorough planning of the heist, then explains it
to the crew, giving them their role.
The roper – this person (can be of either sex) is the one
spots the mark (the target) and tries to gain their confidence, keep them under
surveillance, and maybe even get to know them so well he/she gets Intel from
them that would on the heist. Such as work schedules so they know when it’s
safest to pull off the job, etc.
Computer expert – this is the tech guy, who has unrivalled knowledge
on almost everything to do with computers and technology, that helps the crew
crack system software, that they have technical control of camera’s, pressure
sensors, motion lasers, passwords, key codes, lights, traffic lights, phones,
other computers etc… this person helps the crew get past the “impenetrable high
security system” with a degree of ease.
Explosives expert – this person make everything go KA-BOOM. This
person has probably had training in the explosives field, and knows what is
needed for what job. They help break through walls when walking in isn’t an
option, the help crack a safe open when the code is out of reach, they
essentially blow a lot of stuff up, to make the movie look a lot coolers. Sometimes
there are gun experts or marksmen, but it is rare, because what makes a good
heist movie is the intricacy that’s involved, the smart thinking that goes into
robbing people, as oppose just using adulterated brute force.
Then there are other characters who are sometimes put in there
for convenience. Such as those smaller, more flexible to fit in tight space
when sneaking in a place. A getaway driver for when the heist is done, and they
need to make a quick, clean getaway. A temptress, who at times can also be the
roper. The safe cracker, who experience in picking locks, opening safes, and
getting through doors that need a pass to open. Mechanic, who helps assemble all
the equipment that is used during the jobs, or even modify other automated things
that are involved cars etc.
Iconography: Things commonly seen in heists are,
the planning sheets, blue prints, floor layouts etc. explosives equipment used,
cars, crew members in suits, or in disguise as cops, construction workers,
employees of the heist setting, at times guns, computers, software on screens,
the thing being stolen, be it piles of money, bricks of gold, jewels or
anything else.
Setting: Heist settings can vary all the
time, mostly depending on what it is they are trying to steal. If say they are
trying to steal money; we’d see – a casino. A bank. A warehouse. A van (carrying
that money). Same goes for Gold or anything of the like – a gold reserve, a
bank, even a vehicle carrying the gold. Jewels don’t get moved a lot. So most
likely is that they will stay where they’d been all along.
Then we have the hideout/rendezvous where the crew plan and
prepare themselves, where some big part will play in the film.
Themes/Ideology: films like heist play in the thought
of “moral ambiguity”. Where the audience see’s the crew doing something that is
widely seen as wrong, yet they still want them to succeed. And also the notion
of “crime doesn’t pay” in most to all heist films, the crew do a crime, and get
away scot free with the goods they stole. Which brings a whole new light/possibility
of whether crime pays of not. Most heist films nowadays are not so
straightforwardly serious, they have elements of comedy to them (these are
called caper films) this in a sense helps the audience turn a blind eye to
seriousness of people robbing others, making it easier to deal with and more
enjoyable.
Audience: I think heist has a rather wide
range in terms of target audience, but I’d say males 16+. These types of films
involve some things that would need a person with a mature way of thinking to
understand, and enjoy.
Narrative: Plot/Narrative, generally consist of
3 parts.
Part1 – the exposition. The characters are introduced to the
audience, their expertise are presented, and they become familiar to them. They
then do the planning of the job and the preparations.
Part2 – this is the actual job/heist taking place.
Part3 – the revealing. After the heist is done, and they are
getting away, or maybe any implications that come after the heist, whether it
be a crew member gets caught, or one of them stitches up the crew due to greed.
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