For one of my first scenes during the camera moving in the ‘casino’ i think i’ll use the camera angles as the video above shows. By ignoring whats going and focusing on the movement of the camera it shows the camera following the character through the restaurant of which i want to do the same in my film. A waiter walking through the casino with people all around him then the waiter leading to the main plot of the film.
shot types used in regular film noir films:
Low Angle Shots – these are regularly used in these films, largely due to the fact that they make the subject of the shot appear more powerful.
Dutch Angle Shots – These are often used in these films to portray to the audience a sense of unease or ‘madness’ the character is feeling psychologically. It’s when the camera is tilted instead of being vertical or horizontal.
Mirror reflections – One or more characters are usually shot in the reflection of a mirror. This can signify the development of a relationship, or reflect the two common sides of a femme fatale
The Genre i have chosen for certain is Film Noir. Why i have chosen it is because of its mystery theme that can create a great impact towards the audience. Creating greater impacts on the audience will result in their opinion on the film which is why Film Noir films are so great and well known. The aim for my Film is to try and create a powerful emotion on the audience.
Age Rating: 15
Film
setting:
set in 1960s in America California
Outline of the story:
A undercover detective (Male called Johnny) walks in a private room with his assistant (undercover woman detective called chris quinn ) of which the manager of a Casino also to be part of a mafia (villain) is waiting for him. People around them are playing black jack and listen into their conversation. The further into the conversation the more people get suspicious of the detectives. The detective shoots the villain , then the assistant drugs the detective. My aim from this scene is to create the male and female protagonists for film noir and to create a film which can be known to be a “classic” of the genre.
How I’m going to do it:
For the male actors i think it would be suitable to wear suits to create a more serious atmosphere onto that but for the detective (main character) i think it would be suitable for smart trousers and a shirt + tie.
For the Female actor i think they would wear a dress as female protagonists are known to be very attractive but somewhat dangerous at the same time.
Props:
The props that i would need would be
pistols- for action and to increase tension in the film ( purchase from a site such as Ebay)
Fake alchohol e.g water but pretend that it is alchohol- reason for this is film noir is known to be an very adult feature meaning including it makes things more realistic and directing the audience more to young adults.
Glasses- contain water
Hats- to make a more serious effect to the audience
playing cards- As the scene is meant to be in a casino it would suit the setting.
Fake cigarettes- as i reffered in another blog post smoking is highly used in Film noir which would bring the classic film noir effect which is what i was wanting to achieve.
Possible filming sets:
drama theatre
lincoln a city in lincolnshire of which i can do out of school.
Elgin
Gordonstoun school
Possible Actors:
I could choose to either use a teenage age group ( from my school) for the filming or an adult age group (at home). I may need a few extra actors for the background
I also think a large amount of lights may be needed to be used to create a focus on the characters and to make the film more dynamic.What i also want to achieve is the shadow effect that is used in some films which shows the shadows of objects against people which makes the film more authentic as shown below.
I used this as my first screenshot as it shows “paramount pictures” the company that helped create this film. This first of all gains the trust of the audience and almost promises them that the film will be successful. Which reassures the audience that the company will keep films that are up to a good standard and will be decent for viewing.
I chose this shot because it is the first image that appears on the screen and it is on going with the camera continuing to move after it passes this text. The text “Sunset BLVD” represents the films name ‘Sunset boulevard’ this font text used is very clear and well illustrated as it has used boulevard as BLVD for short this is authentic because it relates the title as part of a street e.g. street= str. This creates a sense of it all being a regular film world. I will be sure on expanding this idea onto my film.
This shot is when the camera is following the street with credits appearing. This creates a sense of mystery as we wonder where the camera will go next. creates an in depth meaning to the opening.
This shot shows a car driving past which illustrates the sense of tension as it creates a sense of questioning from the audience as where will the car go. This questioning and tension automatically relates to the film noir genre.
I chose this shot because i had liked the way the the scene had transitioned as the car went out of the camera view in the shot before this the camera then rushes to the next scene of which is this shot.
I chose this shot as it intrigues the viewer as the mystery continues and you continue to follow where the car is going.
I chose this shot as it showed everyone being very brisk in the scene which meant something bad was going on. Which gave out a negative problem as people were all rushing to the same place with a great number of people.
In this shot the death is viewable as all the tension that has built up is now revealed. This crime scene detective theme is very classic for LA Noir which i will be sure to include in my final film.
This being the final shot is the last of the opening scene. This creates such a great impact as this is what creates the story and starts the film off which makes the biggest impact onto the audience. And stores the image of the film ( creates the first impression on the viewer.
Chiaroscuro is a light technique used for Film Noir. Its definition is that its an Italian term which translates as light-dark, and refers to the balance and pattern of light and shade.Its the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.Its used to indicate extreme low-key and high-contrast lighting to create distinct areas of light and darkness in films, especially in black and white films.An example is “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”
The colour used at the start of this is black and white as they are only pictures in the film and as the man flicks through the pictures the camera slowly zooms out with colours starting to appear in the background. This first part of the scene is good because it clearly illustrates film Noir as using the colours black and white (what film noir is known for) and then going into a more range of colours. In the scene they use a a very dull range of colours to create the sense that the film is in an ordinary know place which creates comfort to the audience.
The Costume used are casual clothes and smart suits they do this to create the feel of ordinary working people of which people can relate too. A prop used is the a small glass one of the men drink alcohol in. He does this as it creates ease towards the sudden situation as the man “Curley” was seen in the first seen to be distressed.
Figure, expressions and movements of the characters show some shock as Curley the man who has found out his wife has cheated on him whimpers and throws the images in the air showing aggressive behaviour.And the way the man in the white suit grabs a cigarette this illustrates that it is very distressful meaning he takes a cigarette to calm him down of which every person who smokes would do in a situation as such. As also you notice when the man in the white suit grabs the drink and says “down the hatch” this shows Curley being stubborn as he takes no regret or any thought into drinking the alcohol even though he has no information on what the drink is and what it can do to him. The use of Sighs by the man in the white suit shows that he is no man for emotion as Curley is has an emotional problem. Which proves that the man in the white suit somewhat sympathises for Curley.
The Setting clearly indicates that is somewhere that actually exists which narrows down the genre for the audience making it more reality than some fantasy. The scene is clearly happening in an office which makes it job related as it seems as a personal meeting between the two.
Cinematography– The cinematography used is rather quite dull using the “Slumber” filter and its quite bright which indicates in the scene that it is quite revealing. By this i mean secrets are discovered in the scene as Curley discovers his wife is having an affair. The cinematography suits the atmosphere of the situation.
Editing– There is not a wide range of editing used in this scene as it is just back to forth between the two characters. the shots being used are mid ranged and close up shots.
Maltese Falcon
The Colour in this is all black and white which is the originally what Film Noir consists off and was known for however the lighting was low key which created only small shadows which means theres not much mystery to it but it is a more open film.
The Costume used are smart suits for the men and smart dresses for the girls again this creates the sense of business and creates a serious sense to it which attracts attention towards the audience as it makes them concentrate so they understand the story of the film.
Figure, Expressions and Movements used in this is rather ordinary as there is more pleasant expressions used until the first parts of music came on which changed the mood to a more serious note as if theres was a problem as soon as the woman walked in.
The Setting used is a real life place as the opening scene clearly shows that they’re in America you cannot only just tell from the buildings but that text appears on the screen saying “San Francisco” they have done this so the audience is not confused and in case the images were not enough for the audience
Non diegetic sound was used very well as i said earlier that as soon as the second woman had walked in the office it had turned into a serious mood from a happy mood which creates fear to the audience.
Cinematography– The cinematography used is quite a dark filter compared to how the scene could have actually been made. they made a much darker scene as the woman comes in with a problem. bringing a problem in the film. Showing the cinematography being used is well done suiting the atmosphere. There is also a good use of Chiaroscuro when the male and female converse about the problem
Editing- Only small amount of editing used. wide shots, mid close ups shoulder over shoulder, reverse shot and Pan shots have been used
A Neo Noir Film:
The Colours used are very dark as they use the main colours being green and red at the same time they use black. They do this to create the sense of thriller and more of a horror and unnatural atmosphere. It also illustrates an unusual world with the use of colours and hints towards the theory that it is not a good life as it is very dim. lighting used on the main character shows one side of his face to have more light than the other meaning that he cannot be trusted. With the use of red it creates the sense of death and murder meaning part of this film par takes that theory.
The Costume is casual clothes illustrating again that it is the real world and that the people are almost normal.
Figure, Expressions and Movements used by the main role are many suspicious movements as he seems almost happy to be caught by the police officer which makes him seem almost insane as it is as if its a normal thing for him. during when he is driving the car he shows a straight face meaning he is neither happy or sad about the situation he is in as he looks at the watch it is almost obvious that he is seeing it as value meaning the main role has some sort of money problem.
The Setting is in an ordinary city it seems as when he is driving it seems a very long place as he drives past many buildings hinting towards it being a city. Which brings the thought of it being America.
The Non Diegetic sound used is somewhat mysterious and suspicious. It creates the sense of the situation being unusual as it is not a sound you would hear on a daily basis
In film noir the male protagonist is often a detective or an otherwise social alienated individual. Sometimes the male heroes are featured as amnesiacs, a situation that absolutely creates a feeling of social estrangement and disillusionment.
The Female protagonist is somewhat usually seen as the trouble maker, and would lead the main male role usually to death. They are seen as very attractive women and more dominant than the male role.
Neo-noir (English: New-black; from the Greek neo, new; and the French noir, black). Neo Noir expands onto Film Noir. They are the same Genre but the only real difference is that Neo Noir expands on the ideas of Film Noir and brings in new themes and moods towards films. The sub genre is more likely to be used in more modern films as it brings new motivations for the films industry.
Create it as a movie which at no time misleads you into thinking there is going to be a happy ending.
In almost every film Noir film cigarettes are used to create a more tension building atmosphere. As cigarettes are usually used during long conversations in a film
Black and White filter is one heavily use on Film Noir films generally to create that mystery astmosphere
brightness and Darkness is also used to create scenes to be more in depth and suspenseful ( darkness) or to create a more still mood in the film (light/ bright)
For men it is usual for them to wear:fedoras, suits and ties.
And it is usual for them to go to: shabby residential hotels with a neon sign blinking through the window, buying yourself a drink out of the office bottle, cars with running boards, all-night diners.
For Women it is usual for them to wear: low necklines, floppy hats, mascara, lipstick.
Traits of Typical of Films:
Shadows. With the use of shadows, they suggest more mystery within the film. That there could be someone in those shadows watching, without anyone knowing.
The shadows also create darkness, which suggest evil. This may suggest that there is evil everywhere in this movie, and that you can’t escape it.
Darkness. In film noir, darkness is used a great deal within the film. This suggests that there is someone or something out in the darkness, which creates a sense of the unknown and fear.• Also this suggests that there is evil within this film and that it is all around.
Femme Fatales.These are woman who just as soon kill you as love you, and they usually have certain traits such as; beautiful, unrealisable, promiscuous, seductive, double-dealing, ect.• These females love creating danger for the main character who ends up falling for her.
Shots used in Film Noir:
Arc Shot– in which the subject is circled by the camera this creates a more personal view as you are focusing on the main character.
Close up– a shot that keeps only the face full in the frame. They use this to build up tension in the scene and it is the most important building block in cinematic story telling. For my final Task i think i will be using this for most of the time.
Deep Focus– This shot is where it keeps the foreground, middle ground and background all in sharp focus. This is so you can put detail in the whole set so the audience gets a better view and feeling for the scene.
Over the shoulder shot– This is another greatly used one which throughout the year i will be using but not very often as it is already repetitively used by many people.
Two shot– In this you get two people in one frame. The relevance of this is that it establishes a link with the two characters for people who are beside of each other which is something i will eventually end up using in my final task
I chose to make an interview with one of the boys (Alistair) in my house so i could get an opinion on whether teenage boys were my target audience for the Film Noir genre. It was successful. I also made this so i could get a more clear idea of what people wanted to see in a Film Noir film for later tasks.
whic7602( Charles Whiteley's blog) 