Film Noir

Origin of Film Noir

Film Noir translates to 'Black Film' and is a term illustrated by French film critic Nino Frank in 1946. Stereotypically Film Noir has features two main characters, a fedora (usually a detective) and a femme fatale and usually they are set in the suburbs. There is no actual definition to Film Noir but is best described as a feeling through visual styling of low key lighting and story conventions.

Historical context of Film Noir.

Film Noir developed because of the Great Depression in America, which happened in the 1930's. There were many improvements to the film industry in the 30's as developed better synchronized sound, panchromatic film and better lighting then the 1920's. Additionally in the 1930's they began using Technicolor, however this was extremely expensive to use. To solve this problem film-makers began to use Block Booking. This is where in order for theatres to show A-list movies they would have to buy blocks of films which not only included A-list films but many unwanted B-list movies. At the height of the studio era  a block could included up 100 films. The studios learnt that the more B-list movies they made, the higher the profit. It did not matter about the quality of the movie, this is when they, the studios, began to develop Pulp fiction and Crime novels, which is the basis for a Film Noir. Film Noir started to emerge and was based on German expressionism which was brought to America by Artist who were fleeing Europe due to the Nazi threats. The Technological Advancements  (post war) were better light sensitive film, compact lighting and filmmakers stopped using sets and started to shoot on real location. There was a motion picture production code, 'Hays code'. This made filmmakers become more suggestive then explicit, hiding the ugly business in the shadows. Additionally the changes were contributing elements, low key budget, low key lighting and Nihilism. However in 1948 the supreme court of the United States put an end to block booking. The studios instantly cut back on making B list movies being produced. A lot of filmmakers lost their jobs but went into a new industry of television where Karl Fruend in 'I Love Lucy' decided to eliminate shadows so footage from a live multi-camera production could be cut seamlessly together. This was less moody then Film Noir lighting and it became the stylistic norm. The film industry began to develop, higher budget and more explicit content by the late 1960's the Hays code was officially banned.


Defining film of era-the first true Film Noir film- Stanger on the third floor from 1940 which was directed by Boris Inkster and was written by Frank Partos and Nathaniel West. Another Film Noir was directed in 1944 by Billy Wilder and was called 'Double Identity'. The latest version of a Film Noir is directed by Christopher Nolan in 2008- 'The Dark Knight'.

Where did genre come from?
Genre originated from the Latin word Genus, and means categorizing entertainment or art based on stylistic features. For example in the film industry there is Horror, Comedy and Drama. Genres are formed by conventions that develop or change over time creating new genres. Its common for a film to fit into more then one genre. Genre began to grow in the 1920's (America) as it was the height of the 'boom' and people were given a lot more leisure time. One of the things most people did in there free time was watching films. Therefore the studios wanted to make money rapidly, which led to the industry growing and developing into more genres. Studios in Hollywood controlled absolutely everything, they wanted to make money fast, this is where the Golden Age Of Hollywood began.

How did the 'Golden Age of Hollywood' re-inforce genres?
The Golden Age Of Hollywood lasted from the silent era in American cinema in the late 1920s to the early 1960s and films were prolifically issued by the Hollywood studios such as Warner Brothers, Paramount.The Golden Age Of Hollywood re-enforced genre as a huge amount of films were being made. This is how genres were originally developed but with stars such as Charlie Chaplin came to light, films became much more popular. All the studios cared about was making a profit, however to do this they felt they needed just to repeat the classics which were brought over from European countries, Dracula is one for example as this was instantly Americanised. Many stories were brought over from immigration, and Americanised, which the studios found this was the way to make money. The first film produced to start the Golden Age off was called 'The Jazz Singer' released in 1927,which increased box-office profits when sound was added as a feature. Many more films like this were made in 1929, when the silent era was most definitely over.

Which genres became popular in Hollywood?
In the Golden Age Of Hollywood films rarely were known for there title but for there genre. Most Hollywood pictures produced films in genres; Western, slapstick comedy, musical, animated cartoon, all of these being 'traditional' genres. . They were so popular because they were the only ones being made as they were cheap to produce and make, and they were, indeed making a large profit. Westerns in particular were based on the same storyline, a life of a cowboy or maybe a gunfighter, and were set in ranches. Slapstick comedies, were again very easy and cheap to make, and they were usually enjoyable for all ages. This is one of the reasons they were so popular, they were funny, silly and extremely enjoyable. An example would be acts such as Laurel And Hardy and The Marks Brothers.

Why do audiences like genre films?
Audience like genre films as they can choose a film, which they know the codes and conventions for so they can choose a personal preference. It also gives an audience incite and awareness, if they go to a Horror, they may be scared whereas if they do to a Comedy they may laugh. In the Golden Age Of Hollywood, movies were known as there given genre, not there title. Cinemas would ask what movie and the customer would say 'horror' or 'western'. This is why the movies that fit into these genres were making the studios money, so they carried on.

Seven Analysis

Seven Opening Title Analysis:

Throughout the title sequence of Seven there is only use of close-ups and extreme close-ups. These shots are focusing on the subject doing something, for example; blocking out a child's face, removing his/hers fingerprints with a razor. Some if not most of these close-ups are focusing on disturbing actions and the shots used leave mystery. This is because only seeing close ups of something does not show the bigger picture therefore is leaving the audience with their own interpretation and imagination. Not only this, but what the person is doing, is suspicious and the camera only shows certain details.
Seven's title sequence uses non-diegetic sound, which is sketchy and constantly changing catching the audiences attention. There is use of contrapuntal sound, as there are many disturbing sounds, which do not match the picture. Most of these sounds are a contrasted with high and low pitches. All the music added in and the added sounds are non-diegetic, there are no lyrics nor speech apart from towards the end of the sequence,when you hear 'you get me closer to god'. This suggests that what the subject is doing throughout the sequence is to do with religion or possibly the reason he/she is doing it. Towards the end of the sequence the music becomes faster, which could suggest a build up of suspension. At the very end of the opening titles, the last thing you hear are sirens which indicate trouble and danger.
Editing in this title sequence has clearly been a consideration. Firstly the text looks like it has been hand written, this is less formal and fits in with the sketchy vibe the editors have created. The text is highlighted with a number of flickers and flashes. There is also use of non-diegetic sound as when you see the flashes, it has been edited so you can here them, making the flickers and flashes  key focus. The editors have made the transitions between the shots very jumpy, using flashes, and composition of the shot when on the screen. There is also a old fashioned white flickers (like it has been filmed with an old dated camera) when showing video, this could be to add effect.
The lighting is dark, there are no lighter moments, this could suggest hiding in the shadows and present the audience with the mystery of why this person is hiding. None of the colours are bright, they are dull, again supporting the idea of hiding. The images throughout the sequence are disturbing, however when looking at what the subject is doing it shows they must be intelligent if not a professional at what they are pursuing. For example, the person is covering his/her tracks, none of the stuff he/she uses can be hacked into its all hardware. A photograph of a child is blocked out which could suggest hiding the past, changing his/her identity. The way this person does it is fast and aggressive which supports the idea of hiding .A sense of mystery is presented when this person is blocking out words such as transsexual, intercourse- this could link to religion 'thou shalt not commit adultery'.

Representation in Horror/Thriller films

Certain representations have now become stereotypes- a widely held but fixed and over simplified image of a particular type of person or thing.

Archetype- a very typical example of a certain person or thing.

HORROR:

Male representation:

Horrors are one of the main genres and also the most popular. The genre, Horror originated by european stories being brought over by immigration. These stories such as Dracula by Bram Stoker created stereotypes in this genre.  The first ever version of Dracula was made in 1922 however one of the most popular versions is the 1931 staring Bela Lugosi. The conventions that do not change in this movie is that Count Dracula is always male, rich, white and usually around 40-50 years old. The Count also seems to have a eastern european accent, as its set in Transylvania, Romania. These non-changing conventions have made this movie extremely recognisable. As Dracula is a classic gothic victorian horror movie, now, in the twenty-first century you can see that stereotypical antagonists in horror movies are white, middle aged men. This could be developed because of Dracula. This is called dominant representations.

Stereotypes are- Freddy Kruger, Jason Voorhees, Norman Bates.

Female representation:

Women in horrors are usually represented as the victims. However roles that women play have evolved and in some cases go from victim to aggressor. Examples of this are Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and Underworld.
Femme fatal is a stereotype that is in hollywood. Women who are young, attractive are used in movies for a 'distraction' to the main male character. These women usually end up being killed in horror movies but this stereotype occurs in most if not all genres.

Representation of gender and ethnicity in Thrillers:

There is a cultural bias in hollywood. All lead actors, directors have always been white, male whereas different ethnicity's are only playing minor roles.
Celebrities that have changed this bias such as Will Smith and Morgan Freeman in movies. Detectives are usually white males, but in thriller 'Seven' Morgan Freeman played one of the detectives along with Brad Pitt.
There is also a heterosexual bias in the film industry as Hollywood is very liberal, therefore having a homosexual or bisexual protagonist is unusual. However antagonists always seem to have a different sexual orientation, such as Hannibal Lector, who had a homosexual background.
Gender bias is also occurring in hollywood, females are playing the victims (femme fatal) for example 'silence of the lambs' in 1990.

Woman In Black Opening Scene Analysis

The Woman In Black opening scene uses a number of camera shots to portray innocence, suspension and danger. Firstly there is use of close ups which are used frequently throughout the sequence. The close ups are on children's toys, automatically showing innocence to the audience. Furthermore close ups are used in this sequence to hide the place they are in, it leaves the audience to wait for more answers. Low angles and two shots help show the audience where the children are as it focuses I more then the children but also at what is in the background. After a long shot, which also show the audience more of the room, the camera zooms into the window slowly giving the atmosphere of suspension and danger. Lastly to close the opening scene the camera zooms out revealing the room and the woman in the corner, which could be considered as answers to the audience but still creates mystery.
The sound in the opening scene is both use of non-diegetic and diegetic sound. The music in the opening really creates the realism of this film being a Horror. The music could be considered as creepy and unpleasant to listen to as it builds up tension as it goes through the scene. The non-diegetic sound is music which seems innocent, which is not contrapuntal as the music can extremely resemble a lullaby and children matching what is being seen. There is also no dialogue until the end where a woman screams powerfully, portraying danger, and when she hurtfully says the words 'my babies' also relating to the innocence that has already been shown. After this the music returns, leaving the audience waiting.
Before we see the characters on screen we see toys. These toys are old, Victorian almost, and they also suggest that they are belongings of little girls as there is gender bias (which was common in the eighteen hundreds) as it is a tea party. The children's clothing supports the fact that the movie is set in the eighteen hundreds as it is Victorian clothing. Additionally the lighting used seems natural as it leaves the corners of the room dark which possibly relates to the title of the movie 'Woman In Black'. When the camera shows the girls faces we see positive expressions which due to the music and camera shots its clear that this will change.
The editing in this opening scene is very jumpy when transitioning shots as this fits to the suspension of this horror movie. A few of the transitions are fades which slowly reveals the shot creating suspension to the audience.

Preliminary Task

The Evaluation

What is the 180 degree rule?

The 180 degree rule consists on trying to keep both the characters in an eye line match on the same side of the scene from the viewer’s perspective.

What is a match on action?

A match on action is when an action

is portrayed from a certain shot then cut to replay the action shown in the first scene from a different camera angle.

What is an eye line match?

An eye line match is when a certain scenes portrayed to the viewers from the angle at which the character is looking.

What is a shot- reverse- shot?

A shot-reverse-shot is when the recording shows both shots of when person A looks at person B, then when person B loos at person A.

Describe how you incorporated (the shots above) into your final film.

180 degree shot- We made sure that during the opening scene of the film when our character was opening their book to reveal a note, we flipped to an over the shoulder shot to show the audience the note, when we flipped to an over the shoulder shot we made sure we used the same angle and side to avoid breaking the 180 degree.

Match on Action- We used this shot when we swapped the angle of the shot and replayed the action of taking the note out of the book. This was just after our character discovered the note.

Eye line shot- This shot is used when the two character meet upon the passing of the note, this is toward the end of the film.

Shot-reverse shot- We failed to make a shot-reverse shot. However we fully understood what this shot involved.

How did film making process go, in terms of filming shots from the storyboard and filming around the college?

The film process was overall easier than expected as we had all the resources needed for our film e.g an appropriate setting. However, the problem we did encounter was having people (unplanned) walking in/ out of our shots causing us to have to re-do some shots.

What did you learn about the video editing on Adobe Premier?

I have learnt that Adobe Premier is a video editing resource that allows multiple adjustments to be made to a film, it offers many options e.g. lots of font choices and has the resources to make a more complex edit of a film. This means that Adobe Premier has the potential to create an complex and professional shot.

Blue Velvet Analysis.

Blue Velvet Textual Analysis:

In the opening scene of Blue Velvet, the colours red, white and blue appear. This could be related to the American flag, as the white picket fence shows the typical 1950s American dream. The camera starts at a worm angle and slowly moves down revealing the fence then the roses. Instantly when these colours appear they contrast each other, therefore they stand out to the audience. There is use of non-diegetic sound, as there is added music. The music is upbeat, happy and gives of a positive effect to the audience and additionally shows the audience the time the movie is set in as the music played is old fashioned. The music portrays the stereotypical 1950's American society.

This image below portrays the typical happy neighbourhood. The weather is good (use of pathetic fallacy) which is what creates the safe and 'perfect' atmosphere which is additionally shown as there are again Americas colours; white, red, blue. Also there is a man is waving which shows the safe, happy environment they live in (he is also on a fire engine which additionally supports this 'safe' place). His body language is open which show that it’s a comfortable place to be; it’s almost portraying the idea of the 'American dream' which is believed to be the perfect life. The fire engine is an older model which also adds to the time this movie was set in. The camera in this shot stays still and when the fire engine has moved the houses are shown. The houses look the same which could suggest that this neighbourhood is calm, and mature as there are neither children nor toys anywhere. The theme song is being played in the background which helps the audience feel this 'perfect neighbourhood'.

The image below contrast both the ones above as this man is in a situation. He is clearly hurt as there is nothing he can do. The dog also supports the fact that this man is in trouble as he has fallen on what seems to be a patch for growing vegetables. The film-makers use diegetic sound as the dog is barking, which makes the audience question what happens next as a dog usually barks because of danger. Diegetic sound is also used when the water is coming out of the hose pipe. Its shows the water pressure is high and that this is attracting the dog that is almost oblivious to the man. It supports the fact the man lying unconscious on the floor is in trouble. The film-makers have still used non-diegetic sound as the blue velvet theme song is still playing in the background but the sound of the barking and the water overpower this, creating more of a dramatic effect on the audience.

The image below shows grass, this simply shows there is some sort of badness hiding under all of the 'perfect neighbourhood' act as the music in the background starts to fade and the diegetic sound of the water becomes more louder almost like the film-makers have enhanced the sound to create a tense atmosphere. This makes the audience question what’s happening as the use of the camera going through the grass could be a point of view shot from a bug’s perspective. When the camera starts to go through the grass there is use of non-diegetic sound as the theme song and the background noise fade and this loud, tense, deep sound occurs showing the audience something is just not right. This shot will help the audience question whether there is an actual 'perfect' society to live in because from the clips before the man’s collapse, the film-makers portray this stereotypical 1950's American society.