The Profundity of Darkness: Film Noir
From dark and steamy alleyways, to sombrous and angular meeting rooms, few film styles or genres express such an evocative and recognizable lighting style than film noir. But are these stylistic choices truly a convention belonging exclusively to the noir method, or is it merely a culmination of previously established, Hollywood classicism? Film theorists and analysts are often divided upon this question. In the classical Hollywood Studio-era, actors, actresses, and (for all intents and purposes) “movie stars” were typically the vehicle upon which films rode to achieve Box Office success. As such, it was typical for films to be shot in such a manner that would highlight the star in subtle, yet noticeable ways. Three-point lighting and soft focus gave a “glamourising” effect during close-ups, ensuring that every single frame in which the star appears is as flattering as can be. After all, in the age of classical Hollywood Cinema, a performer’s face was their livelihood an