Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Conventions of Film Noir
Conventions of Film Noir
Film noir first started in the 1940’s just after the second world war. The films are themed around corruption, depression, alienation, pessimism, and shows the dark side of human experience. Film noir literally translates too ‘black film’ or ‘black cinema’, this is because of it’s dark themes and settings.
Most film noir settings are generally run down, old and dreary places such as old cobbled streets, warehouses or apartment blocks. In the film The Third Man a setting that occurs more than once is the use of dark, shadowed, cobbled streets that are deserted. This is used to give the effect of isolation and alienation.
Iconic props and costume are another convention of film noir. There are certain items or props that are very typical of this type of film. Things such as cigarettes and guns are very common. There is a style of dress that is also very typical of film noir. The clothing is often very dark and formal, including trilby hats and smart, dark coloured suits. Female characters are likely to be seen in very seductive clothing such as long flowing dresses.
These films frequently feature what is known as a ‘Femme Fatale’. These women are very seductive but also carry an heir of danger with them. They can be predatory, double crossing, and manipulative. The other type of Femme Fatale is trustworthy, loyal, and loving It is common that they are close to the main character or the main character themselves.
Voice over’s are used a lot in film noir along with flashbacks. In The Third Man a voice over is featured at the very beginning of the film over old news footage. The film Sin City also has a voice over at the very beginning. These voice over’s are often used to set the scene or to let the viewer know a little more about what is happening. It is also used to set up the viewers expectations of the film, grab their attention and draw them into the film. A voice over gives the effect that the narrator is talking to the viewer which helps them connect better and puts the film on a more personal level.
Camera and lighting in film noir is very defining. Tilted camera angles can be seen a lot in film noir, this is used along with certain visual schemes to disorientate the viewer. Techniques like this make the style of film far more interesting and exciting. Often there is just a single source of light which gives a very gloomy, isolated feel to the scene. Along with this contrasts between bright light and extreme dark are used.
Double Indemnity (1944), The Third Man (1949), The Woman in the Window (1944), Dark Passage (1947), and Out of the Past (1947) are just a few well known film noir’s. Well respected directors of film noirs include people such as Orson Wells, Billy Wilder, Otto Preminger, and John Huston. A well renowned and popular style of film, film noir has exceedingly interesting conventions and styles which are still incorporated in film today.
Film noir first started in the 1940’s just after the second world war. The films are themed around corruption, depression, alienation, pessimism, and shows the dark side of human experience. Film noir literally translates too ‘black film’ or ‘black cinema’, this is because of it’s dark themes and settings.
Most film noir settings are generally run down, old and dreary places such as old cobbled streets, warehouses or apartment blocks. In the film The Third Man a setting that occurs more than once is the use of dark, shadowed, cobbled streets that are deserted. This is used to give the effect of isolation and alienation.
Iconic props and costume are another convention of film noir. There are certain items or props that are very typical of this type of film. Things such as cigarettes and guns are very common. There is a style of dress that is also very typical of film noir. The clothing is often very dark and formal, including trilby hats and smart, dark coloured suits. Female characters are likely to be seen in very seductive clothing such as long flowing dresses.
These films frequently feature what is known as a ‘Femme Fatale’. These women are very seductive but also carry an heir of danger with them. They can be predatory, double crossing, and manipulative. The other type of Femme Fatale is trustworthy, loyal, and loving It is common that they are close to the main character or the main character themselves.
Voice over’s are used a lot in film noir along with flashbacks. In The Third Man a voice over is featured at the very beginning of the film over old news footage. The film Sin City also has a voice over at the very beginning. These voice over’s are often used to set the scene or to let the viewer know a little more about what is happening. It is also used to set up the viewers expectations of the film, grab their attention and draw them into the film. A voice over gives the effect that the narrator is talking to the viewer which helps them connect better and puts the film on a more personal level.
Camera and lighting in film noir is very defining. Tilted camera angles can be seen a lot in film noir, this is used along with certain visual schemes to disorientate the viewer. Techniques like this make the style of film far more interesting and exciting. Often there is just a single source of light which gives a very gloomy, isolated feel to the scene. Along with this contrasts between bright light and extreme dark are used.
Double Indemnity (1944), The Third Man (1949), The Woman in the Window (1944), Dark Passage (1947), and Out of the Past (1947) are just a few well known film noir’s. Well respected directors of film noirs include people such as Orson Wells, Billy Wilder, Otto Preminger, and John Huston. A well renowned and popular style of film, film noir has exceedingly interesting conventions and styles which are still incorporated in film today.
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