Film Noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classical film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s.
Codes and convention:
Characters
· Corrupt Cops- is a form of police misconduct in which law enforcement officers seek personal gain, such as money or career advancement, through the abuse of power, for example by accepting bribes in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest.
· Alienated Protagonist- unfriendly or hostile protagonist.
· Misogynistic Men- a man who hates women or believes that men are much better than women.
· Femme Fatale- a woman of great seductive charm who leads men into compromising or dangerous situations.
Visual Style
· Low Key Lighting- is a style of lighting for photography, film or television. It is a
necessary element in creating a chiaroscuro effect.
· Shadows Cast By Venetian Blinds- shadows casted by a window blind consisting of a number of thin horizontal adjustable slats that overlap when closed.
· Dutch Angles- is a technique used in photography to create or convey dramatic
effects or portray a psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being
filmed.
· Low Angle Shots- a technique used to show superiority of the subject being filmed.
· Shots of characters in one or more mirrors- self explanatory, shots of people reflected in one or more mirrors which causes disorientation to the audience.
· Night for night filming (Instead of day for
night)- practice of actually filming night scenes at night.
· From the 1940’s Location Shooting became
frequent
Iconography
· Dark Sidewalks
· Rain Drenched Streets
· Flashing neon signs
· City is Villainous/ Hostile
· Alcohol/ Alcoholics
· Cigarettes
· Guns
· Trench coats
Settings
·Urban Setting – LA, New York, San Francisco
and Chicago
·Thought of in the sense of a labyrinth
· Bars
· Lounges
· Nightclubs
· Gambling Den’s
· Industrial setting- Refineries, Factories,
Train-yards and Power plants
Narrative Devices
· Convoluted Storylines
· Flashbacks
· Voiceover Narration
· Classic Noir usually from a first person Narrative
Codes and convention:
Characters
· Corrupt Cops- is a form of police misconduct in which law enforcement officers seek personal gain, such as money or career advancement, through the abuse of power, for example by accepting bribes in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest.
· Alienated Protagonist- unfriendly or hostile protagonist.
· Misogynistic Men- a man who hates women or believes that men are much better than women.
· Femme Fatale- a woman of great seductive charm who leads men into compromising or dangerous situations.
Visual Style
· Low Key Lighting- is a style of lighting for photography, film or television. It is a
necessary element in creating a chiaroscuro effect.
· Shadows Cast By Venetian Blinds- shadows casted by a window blind consisting of a number of thin horizontal adjustable slats that overlap when closed.
· Dutch Angles- is a technique used in photography to create or convey dramatic
effects or portray a psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being
filmed.
· Low Angle Shots- a technique used to show superiority of the subject being filmed.
· Shots of characters in one or more mirrors- self explanatory, shots of people reflected in one or more mirrors which causes disorientation to the audience.
· Night for night filming (Instead of day for
night)- practice of actually filming night scenes at night.
· From the 1940’s Location Shooting became
frequent
Iconography
· Dark Sidewalks
· Rain Drenched Streets
· Flashing neon signs
· City is Villainous/ Hostile
· Alcohol/ Alcoholics
· Cigarettes
· Guns
· Trench coats
Settings
·Urban Setting – LA, New York, San Francisco
and Chicago
·Thought of in the sense of a labyrinth
· Bars
· Lounges
· Nightclubs
· Gambling Den’s
· Industrial setting- Refineries, Factories,
Train-yards and Power plants
Narrative Devices
· Convoluted Storylines
· Flashbacks
· Voiceover Narration
· Classic Noir usually from a first person Narrative
Analyzing Film Noir Openings
Film Title: Laura (1944)
Characters: Detective, Writer (Suspect)
Narrative Outline: A detective is investigating the murder of beautiful and highly successful advertising executive, Laura.
Characters: Detective, Writer (Suspect)
Narrative Outline: A detective is investigating the murder of beautiful and highly successful advertising executive, Laura.
Micro-elementsMise-en-scene
Camera
Sound
Editing
|
Technique used (And how they create meaning, effect. Atmosphere tension etc.)In the opening of Laura they use costumes such as trench coats and fedoras to inform the audience that the character is a detective. Also, we see the use of cigars and typewriters which are common conventions of the classic film noir. The setting takes place in a luxurious house as of a mansion which gives the audience a clue of whoever owns the place is a wealthy, respected and a man of high status. However, Although the setting takes place in a mansion the use of lighting is low through parts of the house and the main source of light is from the outside which creates shadows to give a mysterious atmosphere to the audience. Lastly, the performance of the characters gives the audience a hint of their status. This is apparent when the detective enters the room when he is called upon by a person which is most likely to be the owner of the house and sits on the chair in an inappropriate manner which tells us he is making himself at home although he is merely a guest, he also smokes inside the house which shows the audience he is very cocky, overconfident and egotistical. On the other hand, when we are introduced to the owner he is laying in a personalized bathtub while using a type-writer relaxed while being questioned by the detective this may tell the audience that he is innocent and has nothing to hide.
At the start of the film the camera pans from the left to right to reveal the setting which builds up curiosity to the audience.
Throughout the opening a voice over is being used to narrate the story from the detectives point of view which makes the audience feel as if they were the detective in the movie which builds suspense towards them.
In the opening of Laura the credits are coming down from a picture frame with a woman which is most likely to be Laura which may suggest that the whole movie will revolve around this character. As a result, this builds the audiences curiosity.
|
Film Title: He Walked By Night (1949)
Characters: Police Officer, Burglar (Murderer)
Narrative Outline: A clever but psychopathic burglar, Baseheart (Based on real life criminal Erwin Walker) stays one step ahead of the law by listening in to the police band on his radio. To avoid detection, he changes his M.O. on each crime, making it seem that the string of burglaries is the work of several thieves. But Baseheart trips himself up when he kills a cop.
Characters: Police Officer, Burglar (Murderer)
Narrative Outline: A clever but psychopathic burglar, Baseheart (Based on real life criminal Erwin Walker) stays one step ahead of the law by listening in to the police band on his radio. To avoid detection, he changes his M.O. on each crime, making it seem that the string of burglaries is the work of several thieves. But Baseheart trips himself up when he kills a cop.
Micro-elements
Mise-en-scene
Camera
Sound
Editing
|
Technique used (And how they create meaning, effect. Atmosphere tension etc.)
In the opening of “He Walked By Night” the setting first takes place in a Big City Los Angeles which is a common convention of the classic film noir. We are then taken to a police station with the majority of workers pre-occupied/busy processing reports, based on this performance we can see that there are numerous crimes taking place in Los Angeles as of this moment. We are then introduced to a man wearing a uniform with a badge and a police cap which suggests that this person is a police officer. As he is driving home he sees a suspicious man well hid in the shadow in front of a television/radio store. When we are first introduced to this suspicious man he is wearing a suit and a fedora which conceals his identity at first which shows the audience he is a very mysterious person. We then see him with a lock pick trying to break into the store which instantly tells the audience that he is a criminal. However, as the police officer approaches him he acts casual and pretends to show no interest in the television store due this performance the audience knows that he is trying to avoid the cop and is up to no good.
In the opening of “He Walked By Night” the camera is an Establishing shot of Los Angeles this may be used to tell the audience that the movie will take place in this city. Also, Panning shots are frequently used to slowly reveal the setting.
At the opening of the film during the credits the background music/sound we hear is very quick paced orchestra which builds up suspense and tension to the audience. After the credits roll we hear a voice over of a person narrating/reliving the night the police officer is murdered. While the police officer is driving in the car we hear peaceful and slow violins playing. On the other hand, when we are introduced to the burglar in the act of trying to break into a television/radio store the violins pitch gradually increase as well as the speed when the police is about to approach him. The use of these sound effects may be used to build up tension to the audience.
In the opening the credits are being shown over a map of the City of Los Angeles which obviously tells the audience that Los Angeles is a major part of the film. The camera also fades which tells the audience that the setting has changed every time they use this transition.
|
Film Title: Please Murder Me (1956)
Characters: Mysterious Man, Clerk
Narrative Outline: A lawyer gets a not guilty for his female client only to realize that she did in fact commit the crime. He tries to find a way to make her face justice.
Characters: Mysterious Man, Clerk
Narrative Outline: A lawyer gets a not guilty for his female client only to realize that she did in fact commit the crime. He tries to find a way to make her face justice.
Micro-elements
Mise-en-scene
Camera
Sound
Editing
|
Technique used (And how they create meaning, effect. Atmosphere tension etc.)
At the start of “Please Murder Me” we are first introduced to a man in a long trench coat and a fedora walking down the pavement at night with the only source of light coming from the store lights he is passing by (such as brothels, pizzeria etc.) thus creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere. He then walks into a music store and the clerk immediately grabs out a revolver from a concealed place and hands it over to the mysterious man. Because of this performance this may indicate that the two men are in cahoots with one another. As he leaves the store there is car parked outside awaiting him. Inside the car he is slowly reloading the revolver. This may suggest that he is executing a murderous plan which will make the audience feel confused and tensed.
The shot/angle being used at the opening of the film is a tracking shot following the mysterious man from behind. However when he enters the music store and car the camera angle does not reveal his identity. This technique is being used to build the suspense and curiosity of the audience.
Throughout the whole opening of the film we hear background music of slow violins and we do not hear any voice-overs explaining anything or any dialogue. This technique may be used to make the action speak louder than words.
As any generic film we would see the credits are usually shown at the start of the film. However, in “Please Murder Me” the credits are shown minutes after the opening. The credits are being shown as the mysterious man slowly reloads the chamber of the revolver with bullets which may be used to connote the revolver for murder.
|