Codes and Conventions of Film Noir

FILM NOIR

Codes and Conventions

Cinematography

• The cinematography in film noir is often skewed and distorted.

• They’re also often uncomfortable to look at in order to make the viewer feel uneasy.

Shot Types Used

• Low/high angles• Close ups/extreme close ups• Deep focus (depth of field)• Dutch tilt/canted angles• reflections

Location

• Often in film noir, everyday urban settings are used as opposed to dodgy, unusual settings.

• This is done to make the film appear more ‘real’ to the viewer.

Mise en Scene

• Rain/damp streets• Low key lighting (chiaroscuro)• Venetian blinds• High contrast images• Urban locations

Editing

• Often, the editing is similar to that of traditional crime films but in film noir.

• They often start at the end, and then tell the story in flashbacks. This is referred to nonlinearly.

• They are often shot in the day, and night filters may be used.

• Jump cuts and juxtaposition may also be used.

Sound

• Film noir uses sound to compliment the feeling of foreboding and pessimism presented in the film.

• Sound effects are often used to reflect the atmosphere of the location.

Examples of Sounds Used

• Heavy breathing• Sudden noises• Use of quiet and silence• Voice over (of the protagonist)• Discordant and grating music, used

to make the viewer feel uneasy.

Narratives

• Murder• Drugs• Whodunit• Sin and

punishment• Downward spiral• Heists

• Psychological• Crooks• Wrong decisions• Sexual obsession• Gangsters• Amnesia• Smoking

Characters

• Detectives• Femme fatale• Anti hero• Gangsters/thugs• Police• Crooked police