Film Pitch; Form Film Company; Film Noir

Let's continue the film pitches from last class. Please present, vote, and then form film companies based on what projects you would like to work on for your student film.

Please hand in your homework (see post below this one) and your film company information for credit.

Film Noir: please watch the short film clip: The Elements of Film Noir (documentary)

Here are a few things to watch for as we screen The Maltese Falcon:

1. A protagonist that is cynical or detached
2. A femme fatale who leads the protagonist astray
3. A mystery, crime, or use of suspense
4. A naive scapegoat to take the rap of some "crime"
5. Goons (hired criminals who give the protagonist a hard time)
6. Razor sharp dialogue
7. Reference and description of low key lighting

The Maltese Falcon, directed and written for the screen by John Huston
Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett

• Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade
• Mary Astor as Brigid O'Shaughnessy
• Gladys George as Iva Archer
• Peter Lorre as Joel Cairo
• Barton MacLane as Lt. of Detectives Dundy
• Lee Patrick as Effie Perrine
• Sydney Greenstreet as Kasper Gutman
• Ward Bond as Detective Tom Polhaus
• Jerome Cowan as Miles Archer
• Elisha Cook, Jr. as Wilmer Cook

As you watch the film, be prepared to review the film and comment on the effectiveness and/or style of film noir. You will write a review of the film after we screen it. Other details about the film can be found on IMDB.com. You can read the script here at this link.

HOMEWORK: Please view the information about the film before MONDAY. Take notes and research the film, its director, its historical significance, etc. We will complete the film during Monday's class.