Film Noir Guy, Mica, Sam, Shanel

Origin Classic film noir started after the second world war. Much of the fear, mistrust, bleakness, loss of innocence, despair and paranoia were put into film noir as these were the feelings felt by many at that time. Later the cold war played a big role in re affirming fear that was then put into more film noir.

Codes and conventions Alienation Bleakness Disillusionment Disenchantment Pessimism Ambiguity Moral corruption Evil Guilt Desperation paranoia Moods of classic film noir:

Storyline Storylines were often non-linear and twisting. Narratives were frequently complex and convoluted. Typically told with foreboding background music, flashbacks, witty, razor-sharp and acerbic dialogue, and reflective and confessional, first-person voice-over narration. Amnesia suffered by the protagonist was a common plot device, as was the downfall of an innocent Everyman who fell victim to temptation or was framed. Revelations regarding the hero were made to justify the hero's own cynical perspective on life.

Men and women Very often, a film noir story was developed around a cynical, hard-hearted, disillusioned male character who encountered a beautiful but promiscuous, amoral, double-dealing and seductive femme fatale. She would use her feminine wiles and come-hither sexuality to manipulate him into becoming the fall guy - often following a murder. After a betrayal or double-cross, she was frequently destroyed as well, often at the cost of the hero's life. As women during the war period were given new-found independence and better job-earning power in the homeland during the war.

The Set Film noir films (mostly shot in gloomy grays, blacks and whites) thematically showed the dark and inhumane side of human nature with cynicism and doomed love, and they emphasized the brutal, unhealthy, seamy, shadowy, dark and sadistic sides of the human experience.

Atmosphere An oppressive atmosphere of menace, pessimism, anxiety, suspicion that anything can go wrong, dingy realism, futility, fatalism, defeat and entrapment were stylized characteristics of film noir.

Creating the mood in film noir Using 3 point lighting to create shadows on the subject and unveil a dark personality. Smoke is used to create a mysterious atmosphere. Smoking was socially acceptable when film noir was popular and so smoking would great a more intimate atmosphere.

Dated Film noir is black and white. Shadows have more of a dominance in this contrast and be more evocative of the audience. Black and white shooting allows for a more dated feel. Part of film noir is creating and old atmosphere that runs parallel with an intricate storyline rather than using special effects, the effect is created with lighting, sound, dialogue acting and the film noir atmosphere on screen.