Thursday, 27 November 2008

Opening and first scene anaysis for Psycho

  • The music in the title sequence gives a dramatic opening - it ends on a low note which is contrasting and suggests the mood of the film - the same music is used later in the film for when Marion is on the run.
  • There is a panning shot - cityscape - dissolves to next shot behind the test appearing.- The text appearing disguises the screen transition.
  • Lighting in studio window to look like a real hotel. random window on random building - tension wondering.
  • Entering into darkness - tension - into the first scene.
  • Emphasis on sex in hotel room scene.
  • Detailed close up (Sam) - era pans across the room - medium long shot (Marion) - master shot then cut away for lunch which confirms the dialogue.
  • Panning/circular panning - follows actors and medium close up shows intimacy.
  • Camera focuses on the movements of Marion - pans across room as she walks.

Mise-en-scene

  • Marion - white underwear - suggests innocence.
  • Fan on the wall - signifies heat - sex.
  • Bed - obviously signifies sex.
  • Take away lunch - uneaten - suggests they were having an affair on their lunch break.
  • Low-key lighting.

  • Relationship talk.
  • Non-diegetic sound of violins - confirm Sam's "alright".
  • Mise-en-scene - ventilation blinds to give the idea of a trap. - two shots as they come together.

In the opening scene, the mise-en-scene estabshes the hotel room as the camera pans straight to the bed and a medium shot of Marion lying down, with Sam's torso and legs the side. In terms of costume, Marion is wearing a white bra and underskirt, which suggests her purity and innocence because of the colour however it also suggests that they have been having sex. A cut away shot is used to show the uneaten lunch, which looks like a take-away.

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