Code and conventions of genre

Media portrays stalkers as strangers, psychopathic and disturbed males who prey on innocent individuals and harm them for their motives.

The crime genre typically holds aspects of the drama/action and thriller genres meaning they share similar codes and conventions which could be classed as sub-genres. Despite this, the stereotypical crime genre holds its own aspects which make it unique and thus its own genre.

The conventions of a film are what is usually portrayed within a film - what the audience expects to see for them to be able to understand and enjoy the plot. Codes are the signs used within a film to establish the type of genre/sub-genre it is based around. Codes and conventions help the audience to establish the genre through the use of camera angles, sound and characters.

The pacing of crime films is often slow, fluctuating in action throughout, providing the audience with short bursts of intensity, (typically in the form of action or mystery) as the plot reaches its climax. Often if violence is used it is used to ensure the audience does not believe that the lifestyle portrayed is good, which adds a sense of realism, as well as ensuring the characters are kept out-side of typical morality.

Characters within crime sub-genres also contain obvious human flaws such as greed or misunderstanding, making them believable characters and allowing the audience to connect with them upon these common grounds. At the same time their human flaws are often themes which are explored and are usually the downfall of the characters.