Research into target audience and genra

Film Noir genre.
The word genre is used to refer to, in terms of film, the method of categorisation films are based under according to similarities between the films. Other types of film genre include comedy and horror. Some people would argue that film noir is simply a style of film rather than a genre. This is because it can be said that film noir is not defined like the western or gangster genres with the clear settings of conflict. Film noir is defined by more subtle qualities of tone and mood. Film noirs can be defined due to the setting, always usually in New York, and the conflict being solved visually rather than thematically. Film noirs do differ from gangster films however as gangster films usually focus on the heroes rise and fall, film noirs only focus on the hero/heroines fall.

In the genre of film noir several points are usually found defining the genre. Things such as the film noirs iconography, the streets o America, nigh time, rain, guns, trench coats, hats and cigarettes are all examples of iconography that are usually found in film noirs. Many film noirs also focus on promoting the message to the audience that crime does not pay as the police officers always come out on top. Film noirs usually have their specific characters visible in most movies, the femme-fatal and corrupt cop are common characters that help define the genre of film noir. I film noirs often irrelevant story lines can be found too, for example looking into the past of the characters lives and including tragic plot twists and the failure of romantic relationships. The film noir genre prefers its own style to any other genre of film, sticking to the dark/low key lighting, canted camera angles, and the use of indirect narrative portrayed in flashbacks or voice overs all help to define the film noir from any other genre of film.

Film noir history.
Film noirs were originally viewed in French theaters following the war. The main film noir period is seen to stretch from the 1940’s to the 1950’s and is the name given to describe Hollywood crime dramas focusing on cynical attitudes and sexual motives. This film era is associated with low-key black and white lighting visual styles rooting from German expressionist cinematography. The first film noir can be seen as the stranger on the first floor (1940), dicerted by Latvian born Borris Ingster. Most classic fim noirs from the classic period were modestly budgeted and featured unheard of movie stars. Film noir was seen more as visual experimentation that Hollywood film making at first as directors, writers and other people involved in the production of the films were free from the typical big picture constraints.

Film noir target audience.
Film noirs are seen to be aimed at the older generation rather than young children. This is due to the harsh and risky story lines that are exploed in film noirs such as sexual motives, drug use and gun crime. Also the dark lighting used in film noirs setting the depresing and unhappy mood would not be appealing to the younger generation. Also film noirs can be seen to appeal to those interested in crime and detectives as these are common factors founf in all film noirs.