Monday 19 January 2009
Brief for the final piece
we are being commissioned in groups of 3 or 4 to produce a 2-3 minute film opening sequence of a "contemporary 'film noir' thriller"(certification 15-18). Our work should update the noir genre but bring the values, traditions, narrative, mood and conventions of film noir to a new audience in contemporary style and setting. We will need to consider and mention what sort of institution it would sit within and the cinemas and distribution pattern the film would have film and also where it will sit best in the televsion schedules and on which TV station it would be most suited to.
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Tuesday 6 January 2009
characteristics of film noir
Characteristics of film noir.
Storylines: Most typical film noirs will have a business man who gets caught up on the wrong side of the law by accident, they will then try to sort things out which just ends up making it worse. They generally also include a woman who uses her sexuality and looks to get what she wants. It is she who typically gets the man in trouble. For example; ‘Detour’. The main character is simply just trying to hitch hike but ends up with a dead man. He then ends up accidently killing someone who tries to help him. ‘Double indemnity’. An insurance sales man lets himself be convinced, by a beautiful woman, to commit murder. ‘Murder, My Sweet’. A detective investigates one case but ends up with so much more ending in violence and murder which he gets blamed for.
Mise-en-scene: The same mise-en-scene is used in nearly every film noir. The classic film noir’s will have been filmed in black and white, and lights and shadows used to create extreme contrast. This makes the audience feel anxious and uncomfortable. Lighting is a big part of film noir and is its most distinguishing feature. Every film noir has examples of this. Vanition blinds are a very popular lighting technique in film noir. The characters generally wear typical 1940-1950’s dressed-up clothes.
Sound: There are not very many advanced sound techniques in classic film noir as they were small budget films. However, there are very often voice over’s and simple back round noise, such as cars. Double Indemnity, Dead on Arrival and Detour are just three example of film noir’s that use voice over’s.
Cinematography: Film noir’s generally only use a few simple shots as they were on a small budget. These shots include close ups, this is to emphasise to the audience the reaction of a character, long shots, to establish what is in the whole scene.
Storylines: Most typical film noirs will have a business man who gets caught up on the wrong side of the law by accident, they will then try to sort things out which just ends up making it worse. They generally also include a woman who uses her sexuality and looks to get what she wants. It is she who typically gets the man in trouble. For example; ‘Detour’. The main character is simply just trying to hitch hike but ends up with a dead man. He then ends up accidently killing someone who tries to help him. ‘Double indemnity’. An insurance sales man lets himself be convinced, by a beautiful woman, to commit murder. ‘Murder, My Sweet’. A detective investigates one case but ends up with so much more ending in violence and murder which he gets blamed for.
Mise-en-scene: The same mise-en-scene is used in nearly every film noir. The classic film noir’s will have been filmed in black and white, and lights and shadows used to create extreme contrast. This makes the audience feel anxious and uncomfortable. Lighting is a big part of film noir and is its most distinguishing feature. Every film noir has examples of this. Vanition blinds are a very popular lighting technique in film noir. The characters generally wear typical 1940-1950’s dressed-up clothes.
Sound: There are not very many advanced sound techniques in classic film noir as they were small budget films. However, there are very often voice over’s and simple back round noise, such as cars. Double Indemnity, Dead on Arrival and Detour are just three example of film noir’s that use voice over’s.
Cinematography: Film noir’s generally only use a few simple shots as they were on a small budget. These shots include close ups, this is to emphasise to the audience the reaction of a character, long shots, to establish what is in the whole scene.
History of film noir
History of film noir.
Film noir, (French for ‘Black Film’): Nino Frank first applied the term to Hollywood films in 1946, although it was much unknown to most film professionals. However people did not start using the term until many decades later. It is linked very closely to German expressionist cinematography as this is known to be set around, low-key black and white styles. This is fondly used throughout film noir.
The most famous film noir’s were made between 1940 and the mid 1950’s. Anything after this is generally classed as ‘neo film noir’. When film noir’s were first being made the Second World War was in procession. The films were meant to resemble real life. People acting out of desperation, in a bleak and ambiguous world. A lot of people could relate to the film noir during the war and the repression afterwards.
Film noir has never officially been classed as its own genre, but is seen as a sub-genre of crime and gangster films.
Film noir’s were made on a small budget and considered to be B-movies. They were made with little money and no big stars.
Film noir, (French for ‘Black Film’): Nino Frank first applied the term to Hollywood films in 1946, although it was much unknown to most film professionals. However people did not start using the term until many decades later. It is linked very closely to German expressionist cinematography as this is known to be set around, low-key black and white styles. This is fondly used throughout film noir.
The most famous film noir’s were made between 1940 and the mid 1950’s. Anything after this is generally classed as ‘neo film noir’. When film noir’s were first being made the Second World War was in procession. The films were meant to resemble real life. People acting out of desperation, in a bleak and ambiguous world. A lot of people could relate to the film noir during the war and the repression afterwards.
Film noir has never officially been classed as its own genre, but is seen as a sub-genre of crime and gangster films.
Film noir’s were made on a small budget and considered to be B-movies. They were made with little money and no big stars.
Film noir fashion
This is a mood board of film noir style clothing we will use in our opening sequence.
Film noir locations
This is a mood board of the type of location we are planning to use for our film noir opening sequence.
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