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where danger lives:

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I particularly liked the use of reflection within this image. It gives a sense of depth as you can feel the different layers that build up.

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The reflection within this images reminds me of the reflection of water when light hits it.

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skyline.

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This particular film uses a lot of the conventional elements that build up to make stereotypical film noir; deep shadows, bright rays of light coming through glass etc..

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particularly liked the use of the arch way within the right image, the use of light that shines through it is extremely effective when creative tone and depth.

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Jack Nicholson - Chinatown (1974)- one of the great noir detective films of all time.

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inspiration for my use of a Paris skyline.

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Paris through a window:

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I knew that I wanted to use a window perspective within my VFX- as it would allow me to place the character in a setting with both exterior action and interior action when in relation to the outside world and within the house. ultimately creating layers and depth within the piece.

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Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd in 1942 Film Noir This Gun For Hire

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I particularly liked this article as it clearly depicted the classic conventions of a female character within a noir film; her participation, her purpose, her mood, her characteristics.

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I enjoy a lot of classic vintage films, but I think my favorite Old Hollywood genre is film noir. So I was excited to learn that November is Noirvember at the Turner Classic Movies channel. I love noir. I love the gorgeous shadowy cinematography, I love the twisty plots, I love the tough-talking retro dialogue, I love that the men can actually wear fedoras and not look like complete tools. I love the cynicism and mystery and sexuality and danger. And I love the femme fatales.

Film noir-like old movies in general-has a reputation for being misogynistic, and it often is. But what's striking to me about a lot of the classic femme fatales of movies like Double Indemnity, Gilda, The Killers, and The Postman Always Rings Twice is that while they are figures very much rooted in male anxieties about female power and sexuality, they're electrifying to watch as a woman. These dames might be schemers and murderers, but they have agency. They have power. They know what they want and they're not afraid to get it, and they look great while doing so. And that's kind of seriously empowering.
1. When you make an entrance, MAKE AN ENTRANCE. 2. Don't apologize for asserting your independence. 3. Own your sexuality - don't be afraid to take charge! 4. Dress to kill. 5. When nice, decent people say you're no good, ignore them. They're all fools and hypocrites anyway. 6. SLAY. Both figuratively and literally, if need be.
* None of the images are owned by Her Campus or the author.

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Life Lessons from Film Noir Femme Fatales, The Original #NastyWomen

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I enjoy a lot of classic vintage films, but I think my favorite Old Hollywood genre is film noir. So I was excited to learn that November is Noirvember at the Turner Classic Movies channel. I love noir.

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love hate relationship with the male characters.

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one of the most iconic scenes within a noir movie.

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I particularly feel that this image incorporates film noir with the concept of reflection.

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Emphasizing shadows and harsh lighting creates a sense of volume and depth in your films that embodies the film noir style. Check out these great tutorials to create your own film noir look.

From This Gun for Hire, 1942
Originating out of Europe after WWII, the 1940s and 50s saw the rise and huge success of the film noir genre on the silver screen. The look is still popular today, in such films as Black Swan, Drive and Sin City (each having a neo-noir style). But what exactly is the film noir look?

Using low-key lighting as well as emphasizing shadows and harsh lighting, the film noir look captured the dark side of American life: urban crime, mobsters and thieves. To light in a film noir style, there are three basic things to remember:

To get hard crisp shadows, use a small intense light. (Fresnels, lekos, reflector spots)

Emphasize the difference between high and low-key lighting (lots of fill, high-key lighting)

Use at least 500 watt lights to get solid crisp blacks and stark whites (eliminate grays)

Similarly, filmmaker Mark Apsolon has an entertaining and informative lighting for film noir tutorial here:

Film Noir Lighting Setups

There are a number of different lighting setups to achieve your film noir look. Let's take a look at a few:

The venetian blinds setup is a famous and well used trick for many films. To achieve this effect place a 1K (any hard, intense light) through a window with the venetian blinds tilted slightly. This can be a great contrasting effect adding detail to your shot.

A foggy background can have add great effect to a silhouetted figure, especially when lit from the back. As the fog illuminates, it also simulates diffusion and casts an eerie glow as seen below from The Big Combo.

Shadowy figures are a big part of the film noir look and a well used technique even in modern times. Again, using intense lighting (1 or 2K), set up a series of lights that will be out of frame and slightly behind the actor so that the shadow is projected onto the wall behind.

Check out this great resource from FilmmakerIQ with tons of info on film noir lighting. Know of any other great resources? Share yours in the comments below.

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Lighting Tips for Film Noir - The Beat: A Blog by PremiumBeat

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From This Gun for Hire, 1942 Originating out of Europe after WWII, the 1940s and 50s saw the rise and huge success of the film noir genre on the silver screen. The look is still popular today, in such films as Black Swan, Drive and Sin City (each having a neo-noir style).

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This video illustrates all aspects of conventions of film noir.