Originally I planned to do a film noir set, inspired by Edward Hopper. These are my notes I took from Film Noir by Alain Silver & James Ursini, Taschen, Koln. 2004.
The Noir period was from around 1941-1958. It has influenced the likes of Roman Polanski, Francis Ford Coppola and Quentin Tarantino.
The term 'noir' is french. When France was occupied by the Nazi Regime, they had no access to American movies, when they watched them again they noticed the mood and subject matter had become darker.
Many Film Noir movie makers were from Europe, like Fritz Lang and Jaques Tourner. They were inspired by German expressionism, for example The Cabinet of Dr Caligari 1919 and Metropolis 1926.
A theme in Film Noir is the haunted past of the protagonist.
Archetypes are the the truth seeker, often officer of the law, rarely a woman, seldom a private investigator, can wear any costume.
The Hunted: an outsider who cannot connect with the world, usually male.
The Femme Fatale, she is strong, trapped in a man's world, who will do what it takes.
Visual iconography: Edward Hopper, Reginald Marsh and the crime photos of Weegee. Low lighting, curtains/ Venetian blinds, low angles, urban setting like LA NYC or San Fransisco, flash backs and voice over.
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