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Study Notes
Existentialism and Noir Crime Fiction
- Existentialism examines the nature of human existence, particularly in the post-war context.
- Noir crime fiction merges classic detective tropes with existential themes, creating a unique narrative style.
Chinatown and Jake Gittes
- Jake Gittes serves as the protagonist in "Chinatown," a private investigator with a complex background.
- His character is shaped by discriminatory views, displaying sexist and racist tendencies.
- Gittes exhibits selfishness, influenced by his troubled past.
Film Overview: Chinatown (1974)
- "Chinatown," penned by Robert Towne, won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
- The film is significant for both its narrative depth and stylistic alignment with noir conventions.
Comparative Analysis with Maltese Falcon
- Both "Chinatown" and "Maltese Falcon" share genre conventions common in noir, such as morally ambiguous characters and convoluted plots.
- Differences include thematic focuses: "Chinatown" emphasizes existential dilemmas while "Maltese Falcon" leans towards classic detective adventure.
Rise of Film and Crime Fiction
- By the 1920s, crime fiction began transitioning to film formats, moving beyond literary adaptations.
- The post-World War II era solidified crime fiction as a standalone genre, with noir as a prominent subgenre.
Social Context of Mid-20th Century
- The backdrop includes the rise of fascism, human rights abuses, and an evolving awareness of capitalism's societal effects.
- Crime and corruption emerged as perceived norms within society and governance, reflecting cultural realities.
Genre Conventions of Noir Fiction
- Noir fiction, a subgenre of Hard-Boiled fiction, integrates elements from German Expressionist and Poetic Realist film movements.
- Noir explores darker themes, often delving deeper into human crises compared to traditional crime fiction.
Screenplay Writing Fundamentals
- A screenplay serves as a visual instruction manual for film, focusing on showing rather than telling.
- Key rules include maintaining a 1-page per minute timing ratio, using Courier font, and structuring scenes effectively through sluglines (INT. or EXT.).
- Character actions must be written in present tense, and dialogue should be concise, avoiding extensive lines.
Creative Writing Exercises
- Prompts for freewriting sessions include beginnings for Golden Age and Hard-Boiled crime fiction stories, emphasizing genre conventions.
- An adaptation exercise encourages students to convert narrative text into screenplay format, enhancing their understanding of cinematic storytelling.
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Description
Delve into the world of existentialist philosophy in film noir, specifically in the 1974 classic Chinatown. Explore the themes and character analysis of Jake Gittes and discuss the film's significance. Compare and contrast the film with other noir classics.
