Film Noir

Film noir is a style or genre of cinematographic film marked by a mood, it’s a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas. Visual characteristics tend to use dramatic shadows, defined contrast, low-key lighting and usually black & white. Majority of films that have been made were shot in cities and nighttime shooting is very common. Close up shots on people’s faces are used to create a dramatic effect. It is well known for its use of low and wide angled shots, they usually use characters such as corrupt cops, alienated protagonist, misogynist men and femme fatale. Narrative elements include complex story lines, flashbacks, voiceover narration and usually from a first person point of view.

Planning

Critical Analysis Planning Document: Name: Alex Elliot

Introduction: ·       Thesis ·       Genre ·       Films ·       Outline each main point	·       Chicago – The genre that it fits into is crime,musical, comedy. ·       Mainly a musical ·       Director - Rob Marshall 2002 ·       The combination of mis-en-scene elements (setting/location, lighting, props/costumes and style of acting) ·       Use of camera angles, movement and shots ·       Released in 2002 and was a big hit all around the world
	Body (paragraphs)
Paragraph One ·       topic Sentence ·       introduce main idea/argument ·       Supporting Evidence ·       Link to next paragrapraph	·       Mis-en-scene (setting/location, lighting, props/costumes and style of acting) ·       How these relate to the storyline and help back it up ·       Link to cinematography
Paragraph Two ·       topic Sentence ·       introduce main idea/argument ·       Supporting Evidence ·       Link to next paragrapraph	·       Cinematography – use of camera angles,movement and shots ·       The speed of shots ·       How different shots help convey the story line (e.g. expressions) ·       Link to how they work well togther
Paragraph Three ·       topic Sentence ·       introduce main idea/argument ·       Supporting Evidence ·       Link to next paragrapraph	·       How the use of mis-en-scene and cinematography work well together and help convey the story or message from the film ·       Discuss that without one of the elements that the film would not work as well when having both
Conclusion ·       Restate key points ·       Summarise main idea/argument ·       No new evidence	·       Chicago – The genre that it fits into is crime,musical, comedy. ·       Mainly a musical ·       Director - Rob Marshall 2002 ·       The combination of mis-en-scene elements (setting/location, lighting, props/costumes and style of acting) ·       Use of camera angles, movement and shots ·       Released in 2002 and was a big hit all around the world Finish!

Planning

Mise-en-scene and Setting Evaluation:

Briefly Describe the Setting/Location and the type of activity/ies would usually take place in this setting?	The first part of the scene is shown outside a court house and then it starts to change from that scene to the stage where the show is taking place and it stays in this setting for the rest of the film until the end when it shows the paper headlines and shots of Roxie heart out in chiacago.
What props have been included in the setting to convey an intended message or describe the activity/ies taking place?	The show is supposed to look like a ventriloquist act and shows Roxie being controlled by the man. It also shows him as the “puppet master” of the whole event that is taking place as it shows him with strings controlling all of the media and reporters.
What does the contrast (light levels, difference between dark or bright areas) indicate about this setting?	Bright lighting is used at the beginning to show that the scene is taking place during the day. When the show is on it shows a brighter lighter on the two at the front of the stage and the lights are darker and dimmer in the background to focus people’s attention to the front of the stage and when people from the background are used the light will be on them.
What type of tones or colours are used within the setting; pleasant, simple, cheery, bleak. (Also consider the lighting).	Red’s,oranges and yellows are most commonly used in this scene except for the two at the front of the stage wearing blue and black to look different to all of the others and stand out to the audience.
Describe the spaciousness of this setting (Cramped or open/roomy).	The spaces are all cramped and all the people are squished in, this might be to emphasis that it’s a very busy and tense time in her life.
Describe the physical state (messy, neat, formal).	The physical state is very cramped yet neat when it comes to the stage performance as all of the media and journalists are seated in rows and then the two main characters positioned at the front of the stage so the audience directs their attention mainly to them.
What is the general atmosphere of this setting (what moods or feelings does it invoke)?	The atmosphere is very busy but with all the different colours and things that are going on
Describe the acting style of the main character within this scene?	The main character Roxie is shown in a ventriloquist act with the man controlling her. Close up shots are used on her to show her emotion and to tell the story through her emotions, dance moves and music.
How does this setting contribute to the acting style and character/s personality?	The setting being filled with reds and oranges helps direct our attention to the main character who is dressed in blue.

Cinematography Evaluation

General Cinematography Evaluation
What types of shots are used to convey the intended message in this scene?	Close up shots are used to show the expression on the people’s faces and a lower angle is also used when they look up at the man controlling the strings to show importance and power.
What type of camera movement takes place and how does it enhance the shot?	Fast camera shots are used to show the intensity of the show and the situation. By using faster shots it makes it more interesting and fun to watch.

Exploring the World of film

Media Arts Year 10 – Exploring and appreciating the world of film.

There are many films and TV series which are exceptional examples of visual storytelling and the Internet Movie Database IMDB is a comprehensive database, which is a useful reference for exploring the world of Film and Television. The IMDB provides information such as a short film synopsis, cast, crew, awards nominations and trivia for many thousands of films.

It also has a number of lists such as the Top 100 and 250 movies (as rated by IMDB users), as well as guides to the top films in the major genres and suggestions for other films that you may like; based on your browsing habits.

Activity 1: Use this link to visit the Internet Movie Database’s Top 250 Movies list:  IMDB Top 250

From this list, select 10 films that you have not seen, but are interested in viewing. Be adventurous; choose films from genres that you may not normally watch. Ensure that you select films which are an appropriate age rating.

1.	Inception
2.	The Matrix
3.	It’s a wonderful life
4.	The Dark night rises
5.	Terminator 2
6.	City Lights
7.	The usual suspects
8.	The fight club
9.	12 angry men
10	The untouchables

Activity 2: Select 2 of your favourite films and complete the following information about each one:

Information	Film 1	Film 2
Title	The Great Gatsby	My Sister’s Keeper
Genre/s	Drama	Drama
Director	Baz Luhrmann	Nick Cassavetes
Writer/s	F.Scott Fitzgerald	Jodi Picolout
Cinematographer	Simon Duggan	Caleb Deschanel
Editor	M Villa, J Redmond, J Ballatine	Alan Heim, Jim Flynn
Lead actors	Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan	Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin
Other Information	Based on a novel	Based on a novel

Activity 3: Select 3 of the following directors and list 4 films that they have directed:

James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee, Rob Marshall, Christopher Nolan, Yimou Zhang, David Fincher

Complete in the Table below:

Director	4 Film titles
1.James Cameron	Avatar, Titanic, The Terminator, Piranha ll
2.Steven Spielberg	E.T, Jaws, Jurassic Park, War Horse
3.Rob Marshall	Annie, Pirate of the Caribbean, Into the Woods, Chicago

Activity 4: From the list of genres below, select any 5 and complete the table.

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime and Gangster, Drama, Epic/Historical, Horror, Musical/Dance, Science Fiction, War (Anti-War), Westerns.

Hint: To find films belonging to these genres look on the right side of the Top 250 Link

Genre	5 example films belonging to this Genre	List some common elements used in these genres; (consider elements of Mise-en-scene, Cinematography, Sound (Effects and Music) and Narrative Conventions i.e. typical scenarios or characters).
Crime	-Now you see me -We’re the millers -The Godfather -The Wolf of Wall Street -Spring Breakers	Police, weapons, someone committing a crime, some sort of fight either being verbal, abusive or with weapons.
Comedy	-Grown Ups 2 -Rio 2 -Anchorman 2 -This is the End -Ghostbusters	Upbeat music, bright lighting, Jokes,
Musical/Dance	-Frozen -Grease -Wizards of Oz -The little mermaid -Annie	Singing, happy scenes, dancing, bright lighting, big groups dancing.
Drama	-12 years a slave -Blue Jasmine -The Book Thief -The Great Gatsby -Saving Mr.Banks	Dramatic Music,
Action	-The Hunger Games -Lone Survivor -The Avengers -Thor -The Dark Knight	Suspenseful music, dark lighting, usually a main or a couple of main heroes, focus’ on one character, weapons.