/r/explainlikefilmnoir
Explain any topic like you are a private eye/detective in a film noir crime drama.
I've noticed several times in ExplainLikeIAMA that film noir explanations are fun and quite popular, so I figured we could just make subreddit for it.
Post topics as ELFN: [Topic] and commenters try and answer like a classic 1940's film noir detective.
Some helpful links for getting in the mood:
Related Subreddits:
/r/explainlikefilmnoir
Have you ever had this mood when you feel like a lonely detective walking through dark streets in an old "film noir"? Here are some melancholic and relaxing tunes to go with your blue states. Quiet dark jazz playlist.
https://open.spotify.com/user/gillian_delvigne/playlist/7KleMJjTy4h5xy2xR3QgZP
I know that I kinda abandoned this subreddit over the last couple months, but I had a lot of other commitments that took up all of my time. I'm hoping to get this subreddit going again, so let's get down to business.
What we struggle with is the lack of contributors. Most of the topics only get one or two responses, and that's due to a lack of membership. We need to start promoting the subreddit again, so I'll get in touch with some of the other mods at the ELImA-subreddits to try and get some the regular writers to help out. In the meantime, keep investigating and chasing down leads. Those perps won't arrest themselves.
Or you can try it as Gollum, but that might be far more difficult. It potentially could be great though.
Hello everyone! Glad to see this subreddit starting off so well and everyone jumping right in. Until we can hammer out a set of official rules, follow the general rules of Reddit and don't be an asshole, and we should do just fine. I'll be looking for additional moderators if the subreddit continues to grow as it has, so keep an eye out for the post if you are interested.
Though it might be obvious, I'll state it just for clarity sake, keep your entries decently clean. Try not to go into excruciating detail about a murder-rape suicide victim's body, but you can briefly describe it if it is integral for the story. Just use your best judgement.
Since we're just starting out, I'll be taking any suggestions on designing the subreddit and any other links you guys would think you be appropriate in the sidebar. I'll start putting together a list of noir films to watch for inspiration as well.
I'll be submitting prompts for a little while until we get a solid base of subscribers. In the meantime, keep the stories coming and let's start this dark and stormy night off right.
The night was young, the chill of the late autumn breeze drifted in through the window. I sat in my office reading the paper, my new assistant filed some old case reports in the corner. A good kid, if a bit naive. The smoke from my cigar flowed and danced around the room as I took another drag.
"Detective?" My assistant asked, with a tinge of nervousness in his voice.
"Call me Jack." I responded casually, my eyes still fixed upon the article.
"Yes sir, uh.. Jack. Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Well, my brother just got a new girlfriend. This is his third one in the last month. How is it that he can just pick up a girl from anywhere, date her for a few weeks, then just end it? Is that how dating usually goes?"
I like this kid. He may be a bit slow, but at least he has the courage to ask the questions he doesn't know the answer to. It's a rare trait among young kids nowadays. I set the paper down, and took another puff on my cigar. The embers glowed a brilliant orange for just a moment, until I slowly exhaled, letting the smoke twist and morph around me.
I opened the right drawer of my desk, and pulled out a bottle of gin. I'm not one to stay buzzed all day long, but I can make an exception for a lesson on living well. I grab two glasses from the drawer, and pour a couple fingers into both. The liquor adapted and took a new shape as it filled the glasses. I pushed one glass towards his side of the desk, and motioned him to take a seat. He slowly walked over a sat down. He had that look of sincerity in his eyes. Genuine curiosity. Not something I see very often in a town like this one. I take sip, savoring the taste and swallowing.
"Kid, let me tell you something. Dating is something that everyone has a different system for. Some people like to rotate through dates like a six-shooter barrel at the range. Others pick one they like, and never let go. But the one thing you have to remember, is the dame. Dames are usually hysterical, and difficult to reason with. But just like everyone, they have a weakness. A way to work around their antics and illogical actions. All it takes is a keen eye to know where to look."
My assistant nodded. "But...how do you know? Girls have -"
"Dames. Girls are children." I stated. The kid needed to know the difference.
"D-Dames. Right. Well they've always confused me. I never know what they want."
"That's the trick. Dames don't really know what they want. You have to tell them what they want. But not directly. See, dating is about getting the dame to do what you want, but for her to think it's her idea. Your brother seems to have this part down. You tell them what they want to hear, and they'll do what you want them to do. Simple as that. All it takes is practice."
A streetlight flickered outside. As if on cue, a dame in a long brown coat walked through the light. She stopped and looked our way, and walked toward the door. I point to the door, my cigar smoldering between my fingers, "Looks like you're up kid."