Media product from the Gryphon School

2. Overview
My sequence would be able to engage my outlined audience
in the way it successfully emulates the style and thematic
basis of the noir genre in a modern context.There is a
sense of familiarity for those able to identify these
specific traits and a sense of discovery for those only just
coming to them and beginning their genre education.
Furthermore, there are some enigmatic teases to hook an
audience and make them want to continue watching as
will the central relationship whose development poses an
interesting for the film, one which the audience may enjoy
for the way their characters have elements which break
away from genre stereotypes.

3. Overview
Overall, the sequence faithfully adopts the conventional
elements of the genre across the board – in its aesthetics,
character types, narrative developments and themes with
only some small deviations from the standard form.As
stated before, this would allow for a degree of familiarity
but the small twists on the formula would appear all the
most standout in the midst of the genre conventions,
making them more appealing for those seeking out a new
take on the noir standards, finding a sense of satisfying
discovery when encountering material that breaks away
and tries new things.

4. Aesthetics
Instantly, the sequence’s place in the noir genre is established through the aesthetic design.
The use of monochrome in conjunction with the jazz score is an easily identifiable and
crucial element of the genre so its presence here, and the connotations that come with
it firmly entrench the viewer in the genre.This provides both a reassuring sense of
familiarity for those with experience in this area, bringing back a classic style as an
antidote to the modern state of filmmaking. Alternatively, those without genre
experience would be first introduced to noir through this so would be engaged by the
atmosphere provided by the various aesthetic elements – the cinematography, the jazz
music et al carries connotations of mystery and criminality, drawing the viewer in by
tempting them with exciting developments to come.The evocative nature of the design
is surely a major point of engagement with the narrative as well as with the genre as a
whole.

5. Aesthetics
Additionally, in the name of identifying with the noir genre,
the use of an urban environment is also an important
convention.This type of setting connotes ideas (in this
context) of crime and a certain seediness lingering
beneath the surface. It also hints to the environment in
which our protagonist is most comfortable, implying his
confidence with criminality. This is a character trait that
would be easy for the audience to engage with, either for a
sense of empathy or a sense of fulfillment since he could
represent how they would want to be in this scenario,
endearing them to him and making them want to follow
his journey into the darker areas of the city.

6. Aesthetics
The key element in terms of aesthetics that diverges from
standard genre form, is the use of first-person voiceover which
is rather uncommon in cinematic noir, and more widely used in
noir literature.This adds a unique layer to the storytelling since
it allows the audience a more direct insight into the central
character’s mental state and thought process.This could
encourage not only a great level of identification as he explains
his feelings and also encourage an even more pronounced
element of discovery since the audience now has the ability to
follow the plot with the protagonist, trying to navigate the
various twists along with him in a manner of satisfaction
comparable to following aTV detective drama.This unique
wrinkle makes the sequence stand out from similar genre
entries and tying it to its literary roots would help to engage
those with an understanding of the prose heritage.

7. Representation
The character types fall into basic archetypal designs of the
Hero Private Detective and the beautiful femme fatale
and this adhering to such timeless genre staples provides a
sense of recognition and consciousness as to the genre’s
codes and conventions.Those with an affinity for the
genre would engage with this standard formula though
without much divergence from type, this could be seen as
conservative and lacking innovation.That being said, the
way the characters appear to interact highlights their
character dynamics which would be of interest to an
audience seeking out some degree of change. In
particular, the detective’s elements of humor and the
strength of the female character.

8. Representation
As per traditional noir character designs, the hero should be
the epitome of cool and confident, rarely prone to
weakness. However, here (seen in his startled and
“uncool” reaction to the women’s reveal) he undermines
his gruff and gritty persona - manifested by his voice-over
and back-story – with humor and a certain level of
vulnerability. This is an interesting character trait that
differentiates him from the stock detective mold,
rewarding those seeking a relatively new take on a well-
worn cliché and also hints to the sort of character he will
be in the main feature.

9. Representation
The female character also has some degree of strength which would
engage those with an affinity for stronger female characters. She is in
control during their exchange, despite the fact that she is in need of
help and it is highly likely that she has come to him purely because she
is fully aware of the power she holds over him, able to exploit this
quite effectively in disrupting his cliché tough-guy persona.This level
of control is a unique element in the state of cinema, providing an
interesting representation of woman as something other than pure
eye-candy (though she does provide this element, as per noir
tradition), similar to Gaby Rogers’ character in Kiss Me Deadly who is
revealed to have been manipulating events from behind the scenes.
Furthermore, their respective character traits would make for an
interesting relationship to develop throughout the story, serving as a
key point of engagement for the audience to hook onto and afford
more to invest in over the course of the narrative, finding appeal in
their interactions and the potential for humor not found in most noirs.

10. Example
I refer you to the example below, featuring an extract from
my own sequence.

11. Narrative Structure
Falling once again, back into genre standards, the narrative
structure (what little there is) is very much compliant with
what is expected from this type of story, baring strong
similarity to the opening of The Maltese Falcon with the
femme fatale approaching the hero with some type of
mysterious assignment. Furthermore, the hero’s back-
story – someone formerly involved in the thick of
criminality but now resigned to a quieter life – does bare
similarity to the character of Doc Sportello in InherentVice
so does function as a noir staple.These basic narrative
elements are very straightforward in the context of the
genre and should be fulfilling to fans of the genre.

12. The Maltese Falcon Opening
Scene
I refer you below where you can see the clip in full.

13. Themes
The adherence to film noir standards implies a lot about the deeper plot and, in particular,
the use of traditional iconography links to Strauss’ Binary Opposition theory between
cop/criminal or good/evil, basic themes that resound in the genre since its inception,
shown in counterpoints between the likes of Orson Welles’ corrupt cop and Charlton
Heston’s righteous man seeking the truth in Touch of Evil, both characterized by their
status as either evil and good respectively. The thematic heart of my sequence is fairly
light, given the focus on aesthetics and the minimal amount of narrative material
provided, making analysis of such content slightly futile. However, the fact that the
sequence does include these elements does make it fit into the genre well, and a deeper
sense of thematic substance would serve to engage people seeking a greater level of
intelligence in their entertainment to examine.