IndexGangsterScience FictionHorrorThis article critically discusses the codes and conventions of three different film genres and how they effectively communicate to audiences. You may be wondering, “What is a film genre?” Well, simply put, a genre is a category/group of films characterized by a particular style, form or content (Merriam-Webster, 2018). The three groups/categories of films under discussion will be gangster, horror and science fiction. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayGangsterMovies about gangsters portray people who are rich, powerful, and highly respected among Americans and the rest of the world. They often involve powerful and mafia families involved in organized criminal acts and involvement with cocaine, murder and money to provide for their family. (Prices, 2013). These films are more targeted towards mature people between the ages of 15 and 24 (Aimad, 2014). The characters are usually well dressed in this genre of films. They often have scars and blood as signs of using makeup in these films. Women usually wear cute dresses and red lipstick (Akers, 2013). The male characters are usually the ones who commit criminal acts while the women take care of the family at home as these were the stereotypes of this type of film. They often describe women as the weaker, male-dominated gender (Brammer, 2014). The Usual Suspects (1995), is the gangster film under discussion. The film is about a survivor who tells his story of events that happened before a terrible gunfight on a boat, which began when a group of five criminals met in a police line-up. The film is set in Los Angeles, California, United States. The moving camera angles zoom in on each individual's face, particularly in the opening scene where the police question the five main characters (Michael, Dean, Fred, Todd and Roger) about a robbery. Director Bryan Singer manages to show each character's body language as the camera zooms in and out on each character's face. This gives the audience a clear understanding of the personality of each character in the film. This is a clear example of the scene where the police ask number three (Fred) to come forward and repeat his phrase, he laughs and makes fun of the situation giving the audience the idea that he doesn't care what is happening UP. The iconography of gangster films usually consists of guns, cigarettes, drugs and money (Akers, 2013). The lighting usually used is high-key and low-key as these types of lighting are used for contrast and low-key is used for mystery/suspense (Gabriel, n.d.). Science Fiction Science fiction films are based on fiction and fantasy such as things like aliens, ghosts, time travel to the future/past, and imaginary creatures/monsters (filmsite, n.d.). It is aimed at people of any age, preferably 13 and up, science fiction critics and people who grew up watching Terminator and other science fiction films. Science fiction films also usually include some sort of hero or villain that the film primarily focuses on and who is the protagonist/antagonist of some kind (Buffam, 2011). Terminator 2 (1991), directed by James Cameron, is a perfect example. of this science fiction genre. This film features a man named John Connor who sent a cyborg called Terminator 800 (T-800) back in time to protect his younger self from another cyborg called Terminator 1000 (T-1000) from killing him. The scene from the film where the T-1000 found young John Connor in an arcade and was about to kill him.