Your Stage : My Top-7 Film Noir by Brian Smith

Great Choices Brian! I love the era you have chosen. I find Vintage Noir much more definitive in style than modern or Neo noir. Eg These 40s/50s film noirs have a kind of third dimension that Unplumbs the innermost sanctum and home truths of each character. Jealousy becomes rage, love becomes psychotic, envy becomes existential bitterness etc. Vintage Noir is Laden with dark, exaggerated fear and emotion and Non Noir thrillers seem pale in comparison to these suspense filled blood curdlers. I also love the Enigmas in some of those films, black holes in the sequences/events that cause the audience to guess and participate in solving the plot. Its great you are teaching Noir because its a topic that seems to get a narrower and narrower input from the media, yet people are STILL buying and watching films that were made seventy years ago. I think the reason is film makers make what sells, and there is a narrow market for Noir today. Im including Noir however in my showreel, (aswell as shorts) and have several which will be post produced/edited next year. Hope your class goes great.....This from Detective Massey series.

All the best to you on your venture. You're correct in recognizing that Film Noir is a cinematographic style and not a genre. There were many factors involved in its evolution but one you seem to pay scant acknowledge to is the basic film stocks available. When 'fast film' came with an ASA rating of 100 - 200, an awful lot of light was required - thus the harsh shadows as carbon arc lamps were common.

That was only a page from look book Circa 2018. A bit of “Dingy” Thanks for your support and interest @Doug.

I appreciate the “shadows” ......and your comment......Quite right @Doug.....But not a lot of people know that! Good you reminded me.

Hi Guys,

I love this period too..and Noir is amazing.

I have allot of great costumes that work with this. Just FYI.

Hi @Shon. Its great you have a collection of Noir costumes. Most of mine had to be hand sewn with hand cut designer patterns from photographs. These clothes are so hard to get hold of, even Used Retro clothes shops in major cities have scant supply of 40s outfits and those available were either deteriorated in the material or stank. (Had not been washed for some years.) Are you online or do you have a shop?

Hi Debbie,

I have a Costume House in Los Angels called The Costume House thecostumehouse.com and like you I am always looking for the period clothes and accessories..and you are right, most need allot of work..really a pain..but you can find some gems. We do create here from real patterns and designs. And I am a true hat slut, so I own lots and lots of them..lol...along with great men's ties..

Love to see if we can do some work together.

Shon

Hi Brian,

Let me know if I can help with you class. I own a Costume House in NoHo and have a huge selection of period clothing from this time...could be a good visual. I have also tough...did a class on the 40s last year.

Thank you, Shon! I may reach out to you as the day gets closer.

Hi Brian,

Please do. i would love to work together.