I've begun the research phase for a heist movie.  Needless to say it's not easy, I'm actually fairly nervous about typing "how to rob a bank" into google.  

With that said anyone know of any good resources.  Possiblly the names of some great theives, that kind of thing???  I'm hoping for something like this: http://www.ganglandnews.com/  

except for thieves. though I doubt there'll be something.  Sidenote, that's a very cool/accurate website regarding organized crime.  

Thanks

any ideas are welcome...

Jaykur

Here is a pretty cool link, for a wide range of crimes, including bank heists.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/outlaws/major_heists/index.html

That Crime Library is a jewel in itself. I've learned a lot of disturbing stuff that I can't write a film about much less the whack-jobs that would be interesting on screen. Guilty of visiting that site quite a few times.

Now, on topic, basically what you'll want to do is plan out a robbery as if you're going to commit. Figure out each point of entry and the various methods you might try and then figure out how each method would be defeated. For instance, start by walking in the front door during normal business hours. Then maybe breaking windows after hours. Then picking the lock. Then coming in through the walls/floor/ceiling. Just figure out the various ways (sensible and ridiculous) that you would use to do it if you wanted, and then defeat each one (starting simple and going complicated) until you figure out the most DRAMATIC way to do it. Sometimes the most dramatic way isn't the smartest.

The article on those two New Zealand girls who killed their mother was interesting.

Obviously, the SWAT raid on your house revealing these suspicious plans on First National will be a problem, but as long as you tell them you're a writer working on a script, you can get away with anything. Right? I said, am I right?

But occifer, I was studying drunken driving for a script I'm writing. You understand right? Now tell me about this test you're doing...

Maybe I'm retarded, but I say DON'T reasearch a hiest or hiests.  Because then you'll just be like most other movies with preconcieved notions about robbing banks - try to just make it up.  The ignorance should spawn fantastic ideas that you'd never discover through research.

Stephen, I can see were your trying to go on that, but I think that's the worst thing you can do when it comes to writing anything that is within the criminal realm.

First of all bank robbers often plan heists. They map out what kind of security is installed in the bank, guards, where the money is. Without any of this knowledge you'll have to make it up. And as creative as it can be, you will be outside the realm of reality. And it doesn't help when you have no prior knowledge on what your writing about. It will loose it's authenticity. The only knowledge you would have of bank robbery before would be what you saw in other heist films.
In addition researching can lead to inspiring story ideas or twists.

Alot of crime films and books are inspired by true events. There are many unique tales out there. You may find one little thing in it that will inspire you. Maybe one thing a robber did wrong, or one odd step they used to go about the heist that will tickle your mind into thinking up a whole story. Just building on that one little thing you had read.

So in other words, Jaykur22 should research, research, research and then lay it all in front of him and do what Stephen suggested.

Use the knowledge that you gained from your research on past crimes and then work back wards like George suggested.(Stephen pretty much echoed George in a way).

You can probably come up with a lot of new creative ways to have your characters commit their heist.

Get some friends together and brainstorm, all in fun of course, :o how you would rob a bank or something.Some pretty outlandish ideas might spur from this.Actually this is what me and my friends used to do when I was a teenager.( We were bad kids!) :X

good luck!

no offense but now would be a bad time to write a heist flick considering inside man came and did such a great job.... i cant think of a better way to execute a plan than what they did in that movie so good luck find something

Cme up with sometimg different, it could work if you thought it out! Just write it. Everyone says, "It's been done" but maybe not your way! Do it!

So maybe this is the best time considering it's getting popularity again....capitalize on the  new found popularity...send the queries out!

thanks for all your responses.

I'd just make everything up as long as it sounded cool hahah.

In 1955 (yeah I know) there was a French movie that shaped all heist movies
forever. I couldn't find it mentioned here. It spawned many imitations.
Rififi (French for 'Trouble') The 25 minute silent robbery is quite something.
The writer just thought 'Wouldn't it be fun if-'  Just have fun.

I don't know about all you, but I like to learn through experience, so if I ever need to write a bank heist movie...

Oh, and no dirty jokes about learning through experience.  I don't think my wee lil' virgin ears could fucking handle it.

I'm writing a script about Canada...

Wesley, here i Come.