Film noir research

Film Noir (continued)

Film Noir consists of four main factors these are:

1. Character roles

2. Narrative themes

3. Iconography + Mise En Scene

4. Technical conventions

(1) Character roles:

Film Noir consists of different characters:

-Cynical antagonist

Hard heated, cynical, selfless, lonely, physically tough. Usually meets a beautiful femme fatale who draws him into dangerous situations. Is physically or mentally damaged usually due to a past trauma or experience.

-Femme Fatale

An attractive and seductive women, especially one who will ultimately cause distress to a man who becomes involved with her. Often uses her sexuality to manipulate the protagonist into becoming the fall guy

-Corrupt authority figures

A character within a position of authority and trust. This status is often abused for their own personal gain. This role reflects the mistrust and paranoia narrative theme.

(2) Narrative themes

-Mistrust and paranoia

-Bleakness and depression

-Reflection and effects and consequences

(3) Iconography+ Mise En Scene

- Dark sidewalks

-Rain drenched streets

-Flashing neon signs

-Corrupt and hostile urban

-Alcohol/Alcoholics

-Cigarettes

-Guns

(4) Technical Conventions

-Low key lighting 

-Voice over/narration 

-Shadow cast by Venetian blinds

Non linear- First person narrative

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  _ _ _ _  This research into Film Noir by another member of my group has given our group an insight into what kind of things we will have to include in our title sequence to make it a film noir. We have discussed how we are going to incorporate these, and so far have storyboarded a scene with shadow, a scene on a dark sidewalk, a femme fatal character and a cynical antagonist, these conventions will help ensure that our title sequence fits into film noir.