This week, our class dissected the genre of film noir, and argued as to whether it really is a genre or not. The film The Killers(Robert Siodmak, 1946) displayed many of the conventions linked with film noir, specifically the lighting and use of mist. The main argument for it as a genre was that it has a clear set of restrictions and patterns built over time, so it must be a genre if so many films can be group in it as a category.

In our second class of the week, we brainstormed and discussed either by ourselves or in groups what we would be doing for our final sketch in PB4. As I am collaborating with Brydan for the final sketch, we worked together to come out with ideas and questions for our video. We began by discussing conventions and themes we wanted to answer, and what we wanted to get out of the film. This progressed to the plot and story ideas. In the end we moved from a bottle drama/western to a blend of bottle drama and vampire, with some subtle themes from the western genre as well. We want to really test the boundaries and subvert the conventions of genre so using a blend of them is helpful in doing this. Through this class, we have come up with a solid idea…. One I very much look forward to turning into a video.

Below is our notes from the brainstorming class, there are lot’s as we put down whatever came to mind!

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