This task was to research and write up the elements and conventions that create the noir genre which was essential for our understanding. These features included cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound, themes, characterisation and the narratives.
2. Cinematography
• Long shots are used to show all of the subject & their
surroundings
• Low angle shots are used to give certain characters power –
femme fatale in double indemnity.
• Narrator used to provide extra detail
& explanations
• Complex shots rarely used to save money
3. Mise-en-scene
• Props/iconography: Cigarettes, lipstick, guns,
trilby, trench coats, rain running down
windows, briefcases, money.
• Settings: Raining streets, new York city,
alleyways.
• Lighting: Dark – opposing ecstasy mood with
its pessimism, Black, Night time shots, low fill
lighting – shadowy texture – therefore
lighting is crucial. Chiaroscuro lighting, wide-angle,
deep focus shots, high angle long
shots, choker, close-ups, unbalanced
compositions, usual framing devices, absence
of establishing shots, jarring.
• Language used in film noir is very specific,
language used illustrate lack of happiness to
suit the darkened theme.
4. Editing
• Black & White filming
• A lot of fading in & out & dissolving
• Flashbacks for continuity – dreams or murdering
5. Sound
• Lots of dialogue, non-diegetic music and classic music/jazz or
instrumental
• Sound added exaggerates the drama & effects
6. Themes
• Messages: mournful, death, fate, murder, corruption, sexual
obsession, money, deceit, manipulation, betrayal
• Ideology: Power of vision and greed – Men & women were
greedy, women were very seductive – lipstick, men had bad
fate because of femme fatales but some women died too
because of bad men
• Mood: claustrophobic, paranoid, anxious, despair, pessimistic,
brooding, menacing, nihilistic (someone who believes in
nothing)
7. Characterisation
• Femme fatales; darkened, Manipulative & greedy using men
to get what they want, dirty, sexual, slutty, superior,
provocative clothing, femme fatales can also be very
masculine characters with guns as phallus symbol – basically
the evil character
• Anti-hero males – popular in film noir - loser like characters –
drink & smoke too much - earns little
• Male detectives: main characters – badly fated but all alike –
hero
8. Narrative
• Classic femme fatales: the male meets & fall for a girl – femme
fatale and manipulates him sexually. Crime is plotted &
committed – usually ends up with bad fate as a consequence.
