I came across this video and thought I’d share it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkWzOJaAYS0&sttick=0
I remember when I was a kid I saw Blade Runner and while I didn't fully understand the story I did really love the visual style. It wasn't until years later that I learned that this was a new style cyber punk, neo noir. Later when I was getting into filmmaking I also learned that the reason for the low key lighting in most older noir films was because it was supposedly cheaper and while I wasn't particularly drawn to the black and white film style, I did love the newer sci fi type of style.
Later on I started incorporating noir visual styles into the things that we were shooting, like smoke, light shafts, low key and high contrast lighting and a couple of times even a hint of sci fi feel.
I later also learned about the narrative and thematic aspects of noir, which I sometimes also began to incorporate.
Recently I finished writing a screenplay for a sci fi thriller feature that I not only envisioned in a neo noir style, but to some extent was also able to incorporate aspects of narrative and theme. I loved writing this sci fi, because I had always wanted to and I hope that I get the chance to envision it one day.
What do you guys think? What is noir, is it more of a visual style or genre?
For me I feel like it's a a bit of a mixture of both, starts with the visual style and then going on form there.
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As a noir lover, its a combo of both, Vital Butinar. At least that's true of great noir.
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Great share, Vital Butinar! I agree with you and Richard "RB" Botto. Film Noir is a mix/combo of visual style and genre. I've wanted to write a Neo Noir script for a while. This video will come in handy when I write it. Thanks!
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Richard "RB" Botto exactly, that's what I think too. Although like I said, I've always approached it from the visual style first and then kind of progressed from there. But yeah I agree it's a combo of both when it's done well.
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Thank you Maurice Vaughan. Exactly it's kind of a mix of both. I know what you mean about neo noir, like we've talked The Procedure that I wrote is also kind of a neo noir or at least visually neo noir and some story elements. I don't know but I always have the original Blade Runner visuals in my mind when I envision sci fi stuff. :)
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You're welcome, Vital Butinar. I have the original Blade Runner visuals in my mind when I envision sci-fi stuff too. And movies like Aliens and the original Total Recall. I've love you write a Neo Noir script mixed with another genre. Maybe Horror, Action, Sci-Fi, or Mystery.
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Richard "RB" Botto is spot on - total combination of both. My first noir love was DOUBLE INDEMNITY. By the time I got to A TOUCH OF EVIL it was my favorite kind of movie by a long shot. BLADE RUNNER (director's cut) is a noir masterpiece. Love this video. Aweosme share!
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I think film noir is a combination of both style and genre. I'm more familiar with the film noir of the 1940s movies such as Bogart's "Big Sleep", "High Sierra" and "Maltese Falcon", but I love the modern noir, too such as the show "Monsieur Spade".
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Maurice Vaughan oh yeah, the mix genres are really cool. I hope you get to do that.
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Sam Sokolow I just remembered, is the Blade Runner type of film called Tech Noir now right? Like I said I never found older black and white movies to be that appealing. But the Tech Noir is one of my favorite. I wonder if Minority Report would fall under this category too?
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Haley Mary okay, I've never been very familiar with 1940s noir movies, but I have heard references and seen enough to recognize them. But I think visual styles and genres if they are desirable naturally evolve over time anyway. So it's normal to have modern evolutions of these styles.
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Some great picks in here. I love Sam Sokolow's. Two of my favs. I'll add another I recently revisited - THE THIRD MAN.
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Oh yeah Richard "RB" Botto - THE THIRD MAN is so great - the ferris wheel scene has haunted me since the first viewing. "Free of income tax, you know." SO good!!!
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Truly is one of the great iconic scenes in all of cinema. There's months of education within that one scene.
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Agree with the comments above Noir is both style & genre. Aside from definitive camera pans/moody scenery/twilight lighting etc the characters & story have a kind of a third dimensional verisimilitude. Early noirs tended to be plot led with a mystery or mysteries for the audience to solve (old fashioned name the “pot noirs”.) Also often called B films were lust/gut & gore/revenge/ crime stories of characters drowning outside the mainstream & unplumbed to their innermost sanctum. Blood freezing & suspense jammed I’m a fan of both types. For favourites I’d go along with Double Indemnity & Third Man too along with The Big Sleep, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca & Citizen Kane. Interestingly the latter had an early invisible cut. Neo Noir includes China Town, Blue Velvet & LA Confidential. B movies Detour, Criss Cross, Trapped, Dementia, Cry Vengeance.
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Yes, both style and genre. Chinatown is a favorite of mine!
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I'm with you there, Rebecca James.
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CHINATOWN is a masterpiece, Rebecca James. And love your perspective on the genre, Debbie Croysdale. Another neo noir film that I love is the Coen Brother's MILLER'S CROSSING. They made it in between RAISING ARIZONA and BARTON FINK and it didn't get as much fanfare but its a great take on the modern genre.
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Absolutely love MILLER'S CROSSING and BARTON FINK. And since we're on the Coen's and noir, let's add BLOOD SIMPLE.
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BLOOD SIMPLE is beyond brilliant, Richard "RB" Botto - one of the best debut films of all time!
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Agreed, Sam Sokolow. As confident and well realized as they come.