Examples of Classic Film Noirs

Murder, My Sweet - Edward Dmytryk (1944)

A detective is hired to locate somebody's old girlfriend that he lost while he was in prison. On the detectives way he encounters a lot of trouble including lies, deceit and a gorgeous femme fatale who he cannot resist. The film features a detective, a femme fatale, gangsters and crime lords. This is a typical Film Noir.

This film includes all the typical characteristics of a Film Noir: the detective (the seeker-hero), the beautiful femme fatale and the gangsters. The film is in black and white and uses low angle shots and wide angle lenses – typical to Film Noir. It also is set in an urban environment and features flashbacks.

Phantom Lady – Robert Siodmak (1944)

A man fights with his wife and goes to a bar. He meets a beautiful girl there and they go out. However, the lady refuses to give him her name and throughout the film she becomes the Phantom Lady. When he returns home the police are there to inform him that his wife has been murdered with his tie. The police try to find the Phantom Lady as an alibi for the man. In the mean time the man is imprisoned and it is up to his secretary to find the Phantom Lady.

This is a slightly atypical Film Noir, it doesn't feature a detective – but instead a secretary who replaces our generic detective. On her way to find the Phantom Lady she encounters a lot of problems – similar to most Film Noirs.

The film includes some features of a typical Film Noir, but instead of a detective we have a secretary as our seeker-hero. The beautiful femme fatale is our Phantom Lady. The film is set in shadowy, nocturnal streets and features flashbacks. The film uses the typical Film Noir editing styles and cinematography such as low angle shots and Dutch angles.

The Killers – Robert Siodmak (1946)

A story of two killers who infiltrate a small town and kill a man. A detective – childhood friend of the man who was killed, sets a plan to trap the killers and the man who hired them. The film includes a detective, a femme fatale and gangsters/hit men. This is a typical Film Noir.

The film includes most typical characteristics of a Film Noir. Our detective is the seeker-hero who encounters a variety of problems along the way in finding the two contract killers. The film is in black and white and used Dutch angles and low angle shots which is stereotypical for the Film Noir genre. It uses a lot of shots which disorientate the viewer. The film also includes flashbacks and is set in an urban environment like most classic Film Noirs.

Production Meeting Five

Group Entry

The final draft of the script was finished by Jessica (link here?) The questioning has been changed so that Jason believes he is coming into questioning to try and help discover who the murderer is. He no longer lies about where he is on the night of the crime, as this makes him look guilty. Slowly it is revealed he is the suspect due to evidence found on him. The dead girl’s credit card in his girl ties him to the murder. A new final flashback shows him passing the hooded boy, which Conna will shoot at a different angle, with him slipping the credit card into Jason’s pocket. The new beginning was introduced, featuring the femme fatale on the phone luring Jason to the scene of the crime. A few small changes will probably be made to the script before filming.

We organised a presentation for our Media lesson in which we would present our idea. We are yet to have a title for the film and have agreed to think about this over the weekend. Chris and Jess are going to watch The Following on the recommendation of Jon, as this may help with ideas. A final list of actors has been decided as well as there costumes decided by Maya.

• Jason Brown- Chris
• Detective- Possibly Conna, if no other friend available.
• Femme fatale- Jessica
• Dead girl- Charlotte Downing (friend) or Maya
• Hooded boy- Conna

Conna finished the new storyboard for the final script. We hope to make a new animatic next Wednesday. We will all work on our production tasks till then. Chris, Maya and Conna will begin writing their treatments. Jessica is going to analyse results from the questionnaires she made as well as pre production paperwork.

Production Meeting Four

Group Entry

The group received our updated script back from Jon. He viewed his concerns over the direction of the script. He told us we needed to make it apparent that Jason is unaware he is being questioned for the murder. Jon then gave us an excellent idea that we should include another flashback at then end showing the actual sequence of events. We decided to add a new beginning, Chris suggested featuring the femme fatale speaking on the phone.. The group decided the introduction of a hooded boy in the 2nd draft could be developed for the final script, maybe he is involved with the murder.

Conna produced his storyboard using computer software, this has given it a more realistic look.. Chris edited this into an animatic. Unfortunately this will have to change slightly inline with the script. The group have decided to use the studio to film the detectives office as this will allow us to work with lighting better and provides us with a blank canvas. Maya will consider using the Venetian blind effect for this scene now. We have an approximate location for the road scene but this needs to be visited and assessed. Jessica is going to create a questionnaire as part of her research and the group discussed possible questions she could use.

Production Meeting Three

Group Entry

In this meeting we talked with Jon and Jessica presented our 1st draft of the script. Jon commented that the arrest scene at the beginning maybe the wrong opening and would be difficult for Maya to create a legitimate scene. Uniforms and weapons maybe hard to recreate to a high quality. We all agreed to scrap this scene for the benefit of the film. Jon also commented that some of the questioning on the script was a little weak and this would need changing. Jessica will be producing another draft for the next production meeting.

Conna contributed ideas for cinematography. He suggested different shots to show the femme fatale that would look quite artistic. For example, a two shot of her behind Jason in the distance, with Jason unaware of her presence. Chris suggested the idea of editing the flashbacks but draining different colours. The group decided this would be a good idea as the flashbacks need to differentiate from the present time in the film.

Maya began to plan costumes for the actors and consider props. Locations were discussed, and we are aiming to find a quiet pedestrian road or alley to use. We also planned to find a suitable office in the college for the detective scene. Conna is going to work on a storyboard for the next production meeting. Maya and Chris can then begin to consider there treatment.

Based on what was discussed during the production meeting Jessica produced the 2nd draft of the script.

Production Meeting Two

Group Entry

In this meeting we primarily developed our narrative. We stayed with the idea of a man being convicted for a crime he did not do. Scenes such as the court case may make the narrative to long and complicated for the opening and the lecture room would be difficult to mock as a court room. Therefore we decided the opening should show the build up to the actual crime and the mans involvement. We decided upon the name “Jason Brown” for the protagonist.

Conna and Chris created the start of the opening- police kicking a house door open and arresting a surprised Jason. The next scene would feature an interview between a detective and Jason. Flashbacks could occur during this scene showing the discovery of a young ladies dead body. We agreed a femme fatale should feature to give the opening a more noir feel so it doesn’t feel too much like a thriller.

We discussed possible ideas for art direction with Maya. She is going to investigate props we may need such as fake blood and clothes for the actors. Conna is going to consider the cinematography when he receives the script from Jessica and prepare some ideas for the next production meeting. Chris discussed the narrative with Jessica to help her create the script. As a group we assigned the acting roles-

• Jason Brown- Chris
• Detective- Still to decide, possibly a friend in college or actor from drama.
• Femme fatale- Jessica
• Dead girl- Charlotte Downing (friend)

We received a pre production checklist with different paper work to be done. Chris kindly made a copy for everyone and we will now begin our assigned jobs on the sheet. Based on what was discussed during the production meeting Jessica produced the 1st draft of the script.
(link?)

Production Meeting One

Group Entry

Our group consists of Jessica Hayward, Maya Mathias, Conna Cook and Chris Rathbone

We discussed our roles and abilities in the group and assigned the roles as the following-

• Jessica - Script and Producer
• Maya- Art Director
• Conna- Cinematographer and Director
• Chris- Editing and sound

Chris and Conna presented a synopsis they had discussed. It involved a young man being arrested and wrongfully sent to prison for a crime and then being blackmailed by the government. We all agreed to work on the synopsis to develop the narrative.

We also began to discuss possible locations. A lecture room was decided to be suitable for a court room and a front room for the arrest scene.