Psycho (1960) Image Analysis 2

This scene from ‘Psycho’ is our first introduction to the horror that the film possesses.  This point of view shot allows us to experience the shock and horror that Marion experiences. The image is blurred and shadowed to create a sense of mystery and disorientation.  This scene helps us show how Hitchcock uses different angle/camera techniques to create a particular mood or emotion. Hitchcock is clever with this type of camera angle, as the close-up makes the audience feel trapped and confined. The lighting in this shot is cleverly arranged; from this still image we can see that the lightness is no longer in control, and that the darkness is becoming the most dominant shade in the scene. It uses back lighting to create a silhouette and also to keep Normans identity a secret and make us believe it could be his mother. This silhouette also makes us become fascinated because the dark outline of the body leaves us on edge as we don’t know what the person looks like or who they actually are. This quick paced scene later leaves us in shock when we witness the death of Marion. This first initial shot is a jump factor, and then the fast mixture of angles and shots that are carried on helps us understand the crazy, energetic disruption that happens.  The collision cutting within this scene works really well to build tension, the pace starts of slow and then the editing speeds up during the shower attack.