2. This is a shot at 1:33 from
the title sequence of Sunset
Boulevard. The noir feel is
introduces immediately as
we see the old fashioned
cards drive past in low key
black and white lighting.
The shadowy contrasty sky
is a key element of noir is
this shot.
3. In this shot a number of
people are shown in low
key black and white. In
terms of costume we can
see that a lot of police
men are presented in a
high angle long shot. Also
along with the non-
diegetic narration about
the press, a press member
with a old fashioned
camera, iconography, can
be seen.
4. In this long shot we can see a
dead body in the pool which
immediately represents crime and
murder – a key element in noir.
Again the high angle shows the
number of police investigating
doing detective work – another
key theme in noir films. The trilby
hat of the photographer
represents noir in terms of mise-
en-scene under the costume.
5. In this shot we see the gang of
police man crowded around
chatting about the murder. The
high angle is still being used and
in terms of composition the
investigators and photographer
are filling half of the frame with
the dead body being alone in half
of the frame. The smart suits and
old fashioned police uniforms are
a key element in this still.
6. In this still the police and
investigators are crowded
around the victim. The
victim is centered and fills
the majority of the frame
with the police looking over
him. This is a low angle
which is usually what is
used in noir style films
along with high angled and
cantered angles.
7. After the photograph was
taken a flashback occurred to
reveal the narrative of the
story and explain things to the
audience with the help of
narration. Another high angle
is used with a long shot and
reveals the location showing
old fashioned cars in a town
center street – a key location
for noir style films.
8. In this still of the flashback we see a
man using an old fashioned
typewriter. A lot of iconography is
used here with the type writer and
then the ashtray with the cigarettes
next to him – smoking being a key
element. Also this shot is entered
through the window casting
interesting shadows and contrasts – a
famous concept of noir style films.
He is also centrally framed and the
main subject in the shot.
9. In this still the noir style is
captured because of the
composition and mise-en-
scene. Both men have equal
rule of thirds and have ½ of
the frame each. The mans
shadow is against the wall
making a contrasty shadowy
shot. Also the man sat down
is smoking which is a key
iconic factor in noir.
10. In this still the woman is centrally
framed between the men. In terms
of her appearance she has the 50’s
style pin up hair representing the
type of females in noir. They all
have 1/3 of the frame in this shot
but as the woman is centered is
relates into meaning as she is
seeking both the males attention.
