Editing our Film Noir - Camera Angles/Techniques

Through out our film noir we experimented with many different techniques and various camera angles, trying to achieve something that would appear in a top quality film noir

Opening sequence of Blackmail has scrolling text across the screen.

Two-shot
Here we are presented with a two shot of when Clark and Nancy first meet at her movie premier



 

 Extreme close up
This is an extreme close up of Nancy's face as Clark is seen to be in a daze

Long shot
Clark is approaching Nancy's house

Over the shoulder shot
Clark is at Nancy's doorstep, surprising her with a visit

Low key lighting/two shot
Here we are presented with Clark telling Nancy he misses her. Also the typical convention of low key lighting is apparent here, and it also relates to the scene. As Clark is playing Nancy for money, the dark and gloomy atmosphere relates to the mood

 Close up
This close up shot shows Martha discovering Clark's plot against Nancy

Establishing shot
This establishing shot presents us with Nancy's house. Martha is seen following Clark to see what he's up to

 Point of view shot
The point of view shot, shows the draft that Martha has posted through Nancy's letter box. Nancy is seen reading this in shock

 High angle shot
The shot looks down on Nancy as she reads the draft, the shot also makes her feel intimidated by the letter

 Low angle shot
Nancy is seen going round to Martha and Clark's house, she is almost seen as a threat by this low angle shot

 Venetian blinds
These two screenshots show the two ladies talking, with venetian blinds apparent in the background. Venetian blinds are a key convention of a film noir, and I think this shot looks perfect and typical of a film noir

Many of these camera angles and techniques can be seen in film/neo noirs that I have watched. Here are a few films which show typical conventions which have been used in our film.

Here is a screenshot from 1944 film 'Double Indemnity'. This is a two shot with low key lighting, very similar to a shot in Blackmail which was previously shown up towards the top of this page

Here is an establishing shot from modern noir film 'Brick'. This shot was used to distinguish the villains house.

Here is another example of a technique used in 'Brick' which is apparent in our film noir. Low key lighting is used to give the film that dark and mysterious atmosphere