Joe Holden and Michael Elson

Film Noir: Codes and Conventions

• In Classic Film Noir the cinematography is designed to create a distorted effect in order to make the viewers uncomfortable. This allows the audiences feelings to reflect the tone of the films.

• High and low angles:

Cinematography - Part 1

• Extreme Close ups:

• Deep Focus (depth of field):

Cinematography – Part 2

• Reflections, views and faces obscured by objects:

• Use of Dutch tilts or irregular framing:

Cinematography – Part 3

• Film noir locations used the everyday urban settings to make what was happening seem even more real to the viewer. Moved from crime movies only happening at the wrong end of town and dodgy areas to everyday locations.

• Rain and damp streets:

Mise-En-Scéne – Part 1

• High Contrast Lighting – Dark and light shades

• Chiaroscuro Lighting• Use of Venetian Blinds

Mise-En-Scéne – Part 2

• Everyday Urban Locations:• Downbeat scruffy appearance of the

protagonist:

Mise-En-Scéne – Part 3

• The scores of film noires were used to compliment and reflect the pessimistic and downbeat themes and atmosphere generated by the film.

• Some sounds/techniques used are: -Melancholy downbeat music (Jazz)-Heavy breathing-Use of quiet and silence-Often discordant and grating music-Sudden noises-Voice over of protagonist-Sound effects and ambience of the city & suburbia

Sound

• Plots in Film Noire are usually non-linear, for instance they may start at the end and tell the rest of the story in flashbacks.

• These films are also shot at day in the place of night using filters as it was cheaper to make them this way.

• Generally they contain continuity systems in editing and sometimes have montages.

• Use jump cuts and juxtaposition to create a jarring effect for the audience.

• Occasional uses of Close-ups then camera movement to reveal the action.

Editing

• Crooks• Amnesia• Black widow• Psychological• Heists• Double Crosses• Gangsters

Narratives• Sin and punishment• Downward spiral• One wrong decision• Murder• Drugs• Whodunnit• Sexual obsession

• Two Film Noirs characters that appear with regularity are the down at heel Private Eye and the deadly Femme Fetale.

Characters – Part 1

These are the most common types of characters to appear in Film Noire:• Detectives• Sam Spade/Marlowe• Gangsters• Millionaires• The “Fall Guy”• Henchmen/Thugs• Beautiful women• Police• Corrupt politician/government• Crooked police

Characters – Part 2