Psycho; Analysis

In class, we watched the film Psycho, by Alfred Hitchcock.We deeply analyzed the iconic 'Shower Scene' in which the main character gets brutally murdered. 


I noticed that Alfred Hitchcock used fast paced shots to give the scene a tense, exciting, panic-y feel. The fact that the shots were fast, puts the audience on edge, and tells them that something dangerous is about to happen, if not already happening. Due to the lack of technology and props, this also made the scene seem scarier than it actually was, as at no point did the audience see the woman getting killed, or see the killer. We see the killer approaching as a shadow, her screaming, the killer holding up a knife, blood on the floor, and her falling to the floor, slowly. 


Hitchcock also effectively uses fast paced, loud music that usually makes the audience jump, this also adds a tense, shocked feel to the scene. The music matches the action of the murderer stabbing the main character, and this makes the murder seem more dramatic, horrifying and gruesome. The music is very unpleasant to the ear, and crescendo's in volume as the murder gets more intense. 

Film Language; Sound

Sound has been used in the film industry since 1927, and was first used in 'The Jazz Singer'. There are many effective sound techniques that make films more interesting, and can change the feel of a film. 

Catagorising Sounds

On Screen Sound: Sound coming from the screen. EG: If you can see a radio on screen, and the radio is playing.

Off Screen Sound: Sound that can be heard by objects off of the screen. EG: The audience can hear a radio playing, but can't see the radio. 
Diegetic Sound: Sound that the actors can hear a radio playing but can't see the radio.

Non-Diegetic Sound: Sound that the actors can't hear, that isnt part of the film. EG: Music to 'set the scene'. 

Sound Bridges : When a piece of music whether it be diegetic or non-diegetic, continues from one shot to the next.

Parallel: Sound is complimentary to the scene so it makes sense. EG: Children having fun on a beach. You would hear laughter, splashing and happy music.

Contrapuntal sound: Music that doesn't fit the scene. EG: In jaws, there are children splashing in the sea, and the shark starts to approach, there should be scary music, and screams from the children, but there is still laughter, and splashing.