Research: Psycho

The 1960 cult classic Psycho (dir. Alfred Hitchcock) took audiences by surprise by being the most intense, scariest horror thriller with one of the most famous scenes in movie history. In the tense shower scene there is no skin or plunging of a knife shown on camera which makes Psycho so wonderfully scary.

There is the typical institution logo followed by a very artistic design transition which reflects Hitchock's style of films anyway. The title 'Alfred Hitchock's' shows how known his films are for the audience already. After another transition the title 'Pscyho' appears over black.

The title of the film is followed by cast members, the additional cast and then 'and Janet Leigh as Marion Crane'. By showing the actor and their character in a title shows their importance to the audience. After the assistant director, screenplay, editor and music..the last title ends with 'Directed by Alfred Hitchock'

There is then another transition which appears to be fun, but because of the heavily string focuses music in the background, the soundtrack gives out a feeling of tension and follows a theme of certain 'daggers' or strings. This reflects the theme of the film and causes the audience to feel intrigued to the film and also feel a little intense by it. The film begins with an establishing shot of a City to show the setting of the film. Titles appear over the City which explain the location in greater detail, the date and the time.

 

The camera zooms to a window of a tall building and then through the window which makes the audience feel discomforted as they are invading someones privacy. This technique is very clever to make the audience feel discomfort.

Inside the room there are two people together who talk about working and having to go abroad for work and the fact they are together. This appears normal but because of the conversation the audience feels even more discomfort but also curiosity to the couple.