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.
