Task 3 Research into Genres- Film Noir Genre Codes and Conventions & Analysis

Study of the Film Noir Genre

The genre Film Noir is a genre about crime and violence which uses dark shadows and lighting (Chairo-Scuro) as a way of showing the complicated moral nature of the subject, Film Noir has a violent nature of which incorporates the ideology of typical underground crime.

Where did the genre originate from?
Genres of films were first integrated into the film world during the 1920's. Genres mainly came from traditional stories of which were grouped into categories to form genres. During the up rise of the Hollywood film business, the Hollywood system created genre films so they were able to re make films as part of commercialising. Studios especially the main five dominating studios of the time, would remake genre films in order to ensure they would make a profit. By remaking the films the studios were given a form of guarantee that they would be popular amongst the audience and ensure they would make a profit. The Film Noir genre originated from the historical on goings of the 19th century on goings, between the Great Depression and the start of the cold war Hollywood channelled the worlds weary and dark on goings and incorporated it into film, therefore creating Film Noir of which translated as "Black Films". Film Noir's minimal lighting and dark surroundings became a stylistic norm of the genre. 

How did the 'Golden Age of Hollywood' reinforce genres?
The 'Golden Age of Hollywood' reinforced genres by as explained above, making the same films over and over again. This was all audiences ranging from young kids to adults. The huge amounts of profit the films would generate allowed the studios to create additional movies. An example of this would be the James Bond films of which was very successful amongst audiences therefore creating a high amount of profit this then encouraged production of further James Bond movies.

Which genres became popular in Hollywood?

As Hollywood was so pronoun for their films many genres became popular in Hollywood. One popular genre would film noir. There were many Films Noir films created in Hollywood such as films like The Big Heat produced in 1963 & Kiss me Deadly produced in 1955. Film noir was popular amongst audiences originally in the 90's yet have continued to be popular during films nowadays. Newly produced film noir films such as Sin City and The Batman Trilogy are examples of film noir adapting into modern films. However film noir was not the only popular genre in Hollywood, genres such as musicals and detective films also became popular. One of the main reasons the genre of film noir proved so popular in Hollywood was due to the historical factors, for example in 1930's America the big '5' studios (20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount, Warner Brothers, RKO Radio Pictures) found themselves producing more technical films by building on the advancements of film making in the 1920's by e.g. developing synchronised sound, panchromatic filming and creating smaller and more controllable lighting. During this period of time the great depression and economic decline of America began to set in, however the studios found themselves more popular than ever as people were going to the movies as a way in which to escape the economically troubling society. The 1930's proved an era of profit and popularity for the studios and was even described as their 'Boom-time'. By 1959 there was over 15,000 movie theatres, making there more movie theatres than banks. 

Why do audiences like genre films?

Audiences since the initial introduction of genre films have always liked genres as it gives an aspect of expectation. It gives audiences an idea of what the film will consist of before they even watch it. This is because when a film becomes part of a categorised genre it shares the same stylistic norms, for instance in Film Noir the stylistic norm of which defines the genre is the dark/low lighting, underground criminal on goings and its overall dark nature. Due to certain factors being consistent to a genre if a audience likes certain aspects of this genre by seeing a film of the same genre they are guaranteed to see similar if not identical aspects and/or features. For example, audiences when going to watch the film noir genre will expect to see a typical dark underground setting, with obvious criminal on goings.

Identifying Codes and Conventions-

• A sense of alienation, bleakness, corruption and violence.
• Often feature characters such as the Hero and Anti-hero/Villain. The Hero usually consist of a detective or police whereas the villain typically is the gangster/killer. Film noir also features a Femme Fatale whom usually seems to manipulate characters or takes an alternative form as a desperate and loving “damsel in distress” of which is usually a stereotypical representation of women.
• Film Noir often features props and atheistic features such as guns, knives and often alcohol to give the sense of non-law abiding corruption.
• The location of film often feature an alleyway or underground secretive hide out. Something which gives the element of secrecy. Its normally set in a place of abandonment. Stereotypical Film Noir settings are mostly rural locations, bars/clubs, urban cities e.g. New York and empty streets. 
• Darkness, gloom and fog are normally associated with film noir swell, giving a mysterious and dangerous feeling.
• Costume aspects such as guns, trilby hats, trench coats, smart suits, cigarettes, red lipstick and smart polished shoes are all linked with the mise-en-scene aspect of the genre. 
• Regular use of centred angles and low lightning, add to the gloomy feeling.
• Heavy, jazz music is normally used within noir films to give the film an edge of sophistication. 
• Themes set the movie in motions and allows audience to have an idea of what the film is going to be able. Film Noir themes are commonly love, betrayal, jealously, murder and corruption. 
• The narrative’s of Film Noir include, voiceover narration and first person narrative.
• Film Noir cinematography is often distorted and uncomfortable to look at, putting the audience at a sense of unease.  
• Visuals are used to add darkness and mystery to the film, some of these include using a blocking shot (taken between blinds), low key lighting, shots through mirrors/frosted glass, silhouettes and ominous facial expression.

 Examples of famous Film Noir films include, 
-Maltese Falcon (1941)
-Double Idemnity (1944)
-Mildred Pierce (1945)
-The Big Sheep (1946)
-The Killers (1946)

Neo-noir examples include, 
-The French Connection (1971)
-Chinatown (1974)
-Miller's Crossing (1990) 
-Barton Fink (1991)
-LA Confidential (1997)

Sin City opening scene analysis, identifying typical Film Noir conventions and codes

Alike many Film Noir's there is Ambient Sound within the opening of the shot. These sounds are of things which are likely to create the underground and dark sense of the film, these sounds mostly consist of police sirens. There is also Incidental Music of slow jazz, this gives a element of sophistication to the film something which is typical to the genre. Within this scene we see the typical characters of the film noir genre being represented, the typical sexualised representation of the femme fatal is shown through the mise-en-scene of the female. The female wears a red dress. This red dress is very symbolic to the audience this is because red, as a colour, as many connotations. Some of these include the symbolic belief of red being believed to be something of a dangers nature moreover red can also symbolise love and lust, with its romantic connotations. The colour red can also be linked to the famous "Scarlett Women". The Scarlett Women gives red a sexualised aspect, the red dress is symbolic to being a women whom "gets around" and someone whom finds a identity within sexualised representation.  The Scarlett Women gives an alternative connotation to the red dress however due to the multiple connotations of Red, the audience are left with their own interpretation. The red dress also acts as a contrast to the darkness of the Black and White filming, this puts emphasis onto the femme fatal and gives her character, the red dress, a bold statement. 

The protagonist, the typical corrupted private detective, demonstrates common film noir mise en scene through his costume and conduct. The detective is dressed smartly, in clean and smart suit. This form of costume emphasises the representation the protagonist in film noir of which is present the detective as smart and edgy. The detective focuses on the females appearance, this is due to the way in which film noir sexualises women and represents them through this manner. Typically in Film Noir the female is presented as the femme fetal whom is in desperate need of help whereas the male protagonist whom offers this help therefore "saving the day". We see this power rivalry that is a typical feature of Film Noir through the way in which the male has dominance over the scene.

Lastly the opening scene is of restricted narrative, this means that us as the audience only know what the character informs us off, therefore when the "detective" shoots the female we gain a shock factor as this appears to be totally unexpected. Moreover if there was first person narrative of the situation, this would be omniscient narration as we know more than the character and would probably be made aware of the soon to be murder, this creates suspension and tension amongst the audience.