Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
The Elements of Film Noir
16
Elements of Noir
Setting
Summary
Interestingly enough, not every noir is set in the decaying, alley riddled city, though for most of us this is what comes to mind. Neo-Noir settings can range from the "Wild west" to space when meshed with sci-fi. There is no rigid setting, probably because Noir isn't a strictly formulaic genre, and attempts to pin down elements tend to be loose and focus on ubiquity.
Characters
The Stock type characters of Noir include the hardened detective, has a vice of some sort, smoking, drinking, sexual etc. Definitely morally ambiguous. Appearance-wise, he'll usually be wearing a suit, tie, trench coat, and fedora. Additionally the bartender, taxi driver, or store owner that is always a source of information. The femme fatale, a love interest who as the name suggests comes with an element of danger (and is probably the last person the detective should be dating to improve his quality of life.) Her stereotypical outfit includes elbow high gloves, a low cut dress, heels, and heavy lipstick.
Lighting
Story
"Film Noir" translated from French as "black film," is not only in reference to the dark subject matter, but also to the lighting used in the films. Perhaps the most instantly recognizable components of noir is the exaggerated lighting which relies on harsh dark and light contrasts. In stories which emphasize themes such as morality, and human nature, lighting can take on more meaning than pure aesthetics.
Many noir stories will begin with a murder shrouded in mystery, followed by an investigation full of numerous suspects, liars, and traitors, few people can be trusted (which fitting with the themes of the darkness of human nature makes sense.) Perhaps the most important story element: the endings are generally not happy, ending with the downfall of the protagonist which may or may not mean death.