Psycho coursework - page 1
Keywords: Psycho coursework How does Psycho create the meaning for it’s audiences through media techniques?
By Jamie on 25/05/2009
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 3 pages: 1 2 3
Psycho Coursework
How does Psycho create the meaning for it’s audiences through media techniques?
Psycho was made in 1960 by Alfred Hitchcock, a famous director at the time; Psycho is famous for being the first of the so called ‘slasher’ movies and inspired countless more films and spin offs. Hitchcock uses a variety of media techniques in order to create tension, I will be analysing the ‘parlour scene’ and one of the most famous scenes in cinema history: ‘the shower scene’ in which Marion Crane, the main character, is killed.
At the time of Psycho, films were being made in black and white. Why? Well, Hitchcock had a low budget and colour was far more expensive, yet critics say that if shot in colour the effect wouldn’t have been as terrifying. I think this is because whilst in black and white, the differences between objects are starker and creates a better meaning for its audience. For example in the shower scene there is a clear contrast between the paper white tiles and the dark silhouette of the attacker.
Camera angles are essential and play a big role in Psycho. One of the first innovative shots in the scenes I’m analysing, is a low angle shot to include Norman Bates and a large owl in the background; Birds play an imperative position in Psycho and I think the owl represents Norman’s mother watching over him, almost controlling him, also this clip is only shown when Marion mentions his mother. Another important frame is the low angle subjective shot of the shower or a ‘point of view shot,’ this shot is shown both before and after the violence, perhaps illustrating how quickly the attack happened and how such a normal, casual situation turned horribly wrong very quickly. Maybe the most vital frame is the close up of the plug hole and Marion Crane’s eye, the camera turns and revolves just like the water and blood spiralling down the hole. I think this symbolises how Marion’s life drains away. The camera then fades onto a shot of her eye, and still spiralling zooms out, I think that seeing her cold lifeless eye would have shocked audiences at the time, as it would have confirmed her death.
Furthermore Hitchcock’s clever use of editing creates tension in the audience. In fact it was so successful that people swore they saw the knife go into Janet Leigh (Marion
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