Micro-Scholarship, What it is, How can it help me.pdf
Stylistics, Codes and Conventions of Film Noir
1. STYLISTICS, CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
FILM NOIR CINEMATOGRAPHY:
.distorted, skewed and uncomfortable to put viewer at
unease
- Low and high angles
- Extreme close ups
- Deep focus
- Reflections/shadows
- Irregular framing of shots
MISE EN SCENE:
.use every day urban settings
to make happenings seem
more real to viewer
-rain and damp streets
-low-key lighting
-venetian blinds
-high contrast images
(Dark blacks and whites)
-everyday urban locations
-downbeat hero often
downbeat performances
SOUND:
-melancholy downbeat music (jazz)
- Heavy breathing
-quiet and silence
-voice overs
- Ambience of the city
2. STYLISTICS, CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
EDITING:
.traditional crime characteristics, told non linearly
-non linear
(Start at the end… told in flashbacks)
-jump cuts
-jarring juxtaposition
NARRATIVES:
-crooks
-psychological
-gangsters
-sin and punishment
-downward spiral
-One wrong decision
-murder
-drugs
-sexual obsession
CHARACTERISTICS:
.mostly corrupt characters who are cynical,
obsessive, menacing, sinister, disillusioned and
insecure.
-deadly Femme Fatale
- Private eye/detective
-millionaires
-henchman
-beautiful woman
