Fatal Evaluation
In order to broaden my perspective on Opening Title Sequences, I researched key conventions of them. By finding out this information which needed to be contained in an OTS such as main titles and producers, this gave my group a guide of how long our shots could be and what we would need to include in order to class our media as an Opening Title Sequence.
Question 1: Challenging and developing conventions
In what ways does your media product use, develop challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Establishing our setting
Our first priority of our film was securing a location in which we would have permission for and would benefit our film aesthetically. As lighting within film noir is depended on and fits our key conventions, we had to find a placement where lighting could be easily controlled. This factor eliminated any exterior sites. Our use of filming in colour which would be changed to black and white through editing, limited certain rooms where a high contrast would affect the focus and quality of the camera.
An advantage of our connection with teachers allowed us to be able to film in a dark room where appropriate equipment, such as lighting would be at an advantage as we were able to find the best lighting technique for our opening title sequence. By filming at our school it eliminated the cost and legal permission to film on the premises.
A common example of film noir locations are external, based in urban cities and tend to be set at night where a darker atmosphere would be created as a result. We concluded that our opening title sequence would be set in 'no man’s land' meaning that it would not indicate or reference a specific time period. This did effect where we could film and what could be included as certain aspects of our locations considered would display modern architecture. As a result, we are now challenging the typical noir genre by filming interiorly and limiting how many of our shots include outside location within our title sequence and what is included in them.
Characters and Themes
Within Film Noir, the male role within characters is very dominant, often playing the main protagonist of the film. Another character that regularly appears in the genre is the female role of the 'Femme Fatal'. This character if often displayed through danger and attraction within sexual obsession. To make our film stand out within our audience we included our main character to be the nameless Femme Fatale. This challenges the typical Film Noir character use as consistent female role does not tend to appear within the set genre.
Bridie Magee as main character - Femme Fetale
Adam Burton as - Anti-hero
To develop a better understanding of the film noir conventions, I researched commonly used aspects of the genre. Throughout our production we did not stray away from the main plots and themes of the noir genre. This was primarily because if the storyline was changed too much it may not fit the concept of film noir. In order to present the social issues and themes within our film noir (as speech was not present within our Opening Title Sequence) we relied heavily on the plot and mise-en-scene. Through props such as the red lipstick and nails, typically associated with the femme fatale, the theme of danger and sexual obsession could be referenced. The alcohol and cigarettes also used by the Femme Fatale also directly links with drugs and addiction - also a heavy indication of crime as well as the murder of our Anti-hero.
Iconography
As a group we decided that iconography would play a vital role within our Opening Title Sequence; taking inspiration from popular noir films such as 'Sin City' and TV Series 'American Horror Story'. This ensured that the audience could establish the Film Noir genre and challenges alternative media products where features such as the plot or character roles are more depended on. Although Our title sequence was dependent on aesthetic elements it does not stray away from the classic conventions of Film Noir however still remains a look of originality and autheticity.
In order to display this use of iconography evidenly within a short time frame, the use of typical props such as alcohol, cigarettes and newspapers, were relied upon heavily, again refering to the key conventions as a guide of what we could include within our Opening Title Sequence. My main role within our OTS was sourcing our Mise-en-scene props, however unlike typical Noir films, our setting was established in 'no man's land' meaning that some props would not look out of place within our environment. This gave us more leeway as to what our props could be included. Although, the props mentioned would affect our certificate rating and had to be discussed. The involvement of the props wasn't the only factor that would affect our audience; the implied significance and how they are used/presented to the audience will also depend on whether our rating was certificate 15 or 18.
Throughout editing our media, we concluded that we would obtain the image of 'Sin City' thus making out Film Black and White, creating an authentic look that older viewers may feel nostalgia for. We also drew out certain features of the 'Femme Fatales' costume such as her hair, dress and nails. This factor not only created a disorientating effect commonly used in Film Noir scenes but also created the theme of lust and danger towards this character.
In addition, we used certain shots that are used within film
noir.For example,the shot featuring the blinds is used regularly
within film noir. This is mainly as it creates a disorientating effect
towards the audience - a common effect used in Film Noir.
My media product represents several different social groups for various reasons. The first being age, specifically a younger audience. I believe my media product represents a younger cliental because of who is shown within the OTS. The actor/ actress are both young people, allowing a younger audience to become connected easier than they would for older actors/actresses. Because they are young, it gives younger audiences the impression that whats happening on screen could well happen to them. This means that if something bad happens, the audience would be sympathetic, and if something good happens they would be happy for them due to the connection made. Another social group would be gender, in particular females. This is because of the colours on screen. Because it's in black and white, with red being the only contrasting colour it appeals to a female audience. Red being a very feminine colour, often used to represent love and affection. The red contrast represents a feminine audience, especially due to the red being specifically used for the female role, this would result in a connection with this character. They will become attached to the female role due to her being the only colour on screen.
There are always certain character types within a Film Noir production. These are primarily:
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The Femme Fatale, who is a female figure that will manipulate men using seductive methods. She is a vulnerable figure hence the reason for using her flirtatious techniques, to gain more power.
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The Killer usually is the dark, mischievous character with the qualities of a psychopath. He is often, obsessive and power hungry.
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The Anti – Hero is the character that the male audience can relate to, usually being an ordinary, working class man, like any man, with his flaws and problems, not made to be a hero.
