Study of film noir setting

Classic film noir setting 

Film noir is typically set in urban settings such as large cities where they have the classic apartment blocks, street corners, dark alley ways and smokey bars with plenty of nightlife as they resolve around crime, gambling and drinking.  Many are set in Los Angeles and New York. As a number of film noir productions are based on true events they are usually set in the same location which makes it very realistic. Usually lit by street lamps and light from buildings these dark locations help enhance the mystery in film noir; The low-key lighting helps with shadows and suspense.

 Within the large cities much of the action takes place in houses belonging to the protagonists, offices where the detectives lie and in bars, diners and clubs where there is a bubbling atmosphere. Film noir is usually set at night time and it is almost certainly going to rain. Some films are set more in an industrial setting such as a factory, power plant or train yard. 

I watched some of the noir film Sunset Blvd to explore the locations and settings within the film.

This image shows the new years eve party hosted. Although it was in a mansion not a city bar you can still see smoke in the background which would have been from smoking indoors. 

This image shows the classic dark corner shot when they are trying to work things out. where there is drama happening. The low lighting helps add mystery to this scene.

This is the iconic scene in which the body of Joe Gills is discovered in the pool of the mansion. What makes this scene more iconic than most is the fact its the opening scene grabbing attention straight away and showing immediate action of the thrilling Sunset blvd.

Taken from a different production this scene shows the classic narrow dark alley way with what looks to be the femme fatale waiting to stir things up. This image demonstrates how the use of low-key lighting can be used to create mystery and effect. The character is shown more as a silhouette rather than a complete figure.

I attempted to make re-create what i thought would look like a detectives office. I used low-key lighting which i achieved my lamps and candles. The hat my actor wore created an outline which adds mystery to his character.