Codes and Conventions

Neo Noir
Neo Noir is an adaptation of Film Noir:
Film Noir was introduced in the 1940's following the German produced film 'Stranger on the first floor' (1940). This film was the first real authentic type in this genre.
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasise cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography. Many of the prototypical stories and much of the attitude of classic noir derive from the hard boiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the United States during the Depression.
The term film noir, French for "black film", first applied to Hollywood films by French critic Nino Frank in 1946, was unknown to most American film industry professionals of the classic era. Cinema historians and critics defined the noir canon in retrospect. Before the notion was widely adopted in the 1970s, many of the classic film noirs were referred to as melodramas. The question of whether film noir qualifies as a distinct genre is a matter of ongoing debate among scholars.
After this came the Neo Noir era, which is a modern version of the Film Noir. It is an adapted version of Noir and it used colour to enhance the scenes.

Genre
The Neo noir genre is very distinct, it is originally a crime/detective film made by Hollywood, they always use specific conventions so that the audience can understand what genre it is. I have learnt through the year the conventions of a Neo Noir are:

• Corrupt Cops
• Femme Fetalle
• They protagonist is always an outsider, however, they have good morals
• Urban surroundings
• The use of close ups and extreme close ups
• The use of sound to intensify the tension in a situation.

A great example of a Neo Noir recent film is 'L A Confidential' 1997, which is a film in which the protagonist is an outsider to the rest of the community. He is not accepted within the police force, and in the first 20 minutes of the film, he is locked away in a room; this is not the typical behaviour we expect towards the protagonist. Another example of this is in Chinatown, were the main character is left with a bandage on his face for 2/3rds of the film.
 

This photo shows the main protagonist in chinatown wearing a bandage across his fae where his nose has been cut early on in the movie, this shows the fact that Neo Noir films are conventionally different to most other films, they do not follow the same rules that the protagonist must follow. They can be weak but still retain there 'hero' persona. Even if this persona is not seen by all of the characters within the narrative.
The Neo Noir world, much like that of the Film Noir, is one full of paranoia, in which you cannot trust any of the characters, and in turn, the audience will begin to doubt each one of them.

Stylistics:
Mise-en-scene
The setting always take place in an urban area to make the scene feel as realistic as possible to the audience, the use of lighting will be used within the street through diagetic objects; an example of this would be a street light.
Rain and Damp Streets are key, this adds to the tension of the audience, they may only see the feet of the characters along with the puddles, and this will help add to the effect of the tension that will be in the film noir film.
Low key lighting (Chiaroscuro) and also the use of venetian blinds. In the picture on the right, they have low key lighting an the use of blinds to create the effect, this pictures shows that the lady in the front, is wearing black; and therefore the powerful one in the picture, however, the girl at the back, looks a lot more vulnerable through her clothing, and also the way that the light is shining on her. This is all done through the use of mise-en-scene.

Cinematography
Film Noir is often distorted, skewed and uncomfortable to look at making the audience feel uneasy. This reflects the tone of Noir.

Cinematography of Film Noir on Prezi

This has now moved on to Neo Noir, using a lot of the same effects just through the use of colour. Neo Noir and Film Noir cinematography are virtually the same.

Sound
Film Noir sound was used to complement the feelings of pessimism and foreboding that was reflected in the films.

• Melancholy downbeat music (Jazz)
• Heavy breathing
• Use of quiet and silence
• Often discordant and grating music
• Sudden noises
• Voice over of protagonist
• Sound effects and ambiance of the city & suburbia

Editing
Non-Linear start at the end and tell the rest of the story in flashbacks.
Often shot day for night using filters - cheaper.
Use continuity editing generally. However, some montage.
The juxtaposition of shots - the use of a CU before you see the action.

The differences between Film Noir and Neo Noir are noticeable in that of the genre, however, the editing and the sound have stayed the same. through the Mise-En-Scene we can identify one from the other, an example of this is:

Brief

For my F.M.3 project I am creating a film extract for that I will have to create:

• Aims and Context

The aims and context must be clear. Aim of the extract and the context of the production.

• A Creative Product

The film extract must engage with the issues raised in the production of meaning and the study of film stylistics and theory. My creative product is a sequence taken from an imagined film.

• A Reflective Analysis

The refletive analysis should select key features of the creative product and reflect critically on both the creative process and the product.