Psycho notes

• Five essay techniques

  • Mise-en-scene
  • Lighting
  • Sound
  • Camera shots
  • Symbolism
• Mise-en-scene

  The arrangement of elements within a film frame
• Lighting

  The illumination of a scene
• Sound

  The audio elements in a film
• Camera shots

  The different types of shots used by the camera
• Symbolism

  The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
• Introduction (Film details)

  • Famous thriller 'Psycho' =creatively sinister film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock in the 1960s
  • has a scene which demonstrates an effective use of tension
  • Considered first 'slasher' - paved way for modern horrors
• Introducing Techniques

  • However,it is the parlour scene - he has dinner with motel guest Marion,we see a more sinister edge to Norman (dark/strange personalities first hinted at)
  • Hitchcock creatively uses techniques: mise-en-scene, lighting, sound, camera shots/angles, to emphaise unnerving tension of iconic Parlour scene - and to subtly hint at Marions death (In shower scene) and unveil the unsettling truth about Norman
• Background of film

  • follows main character Marion Crane stealing $40,000 from employer - to run away with secret lover
  • makes way out of Pheonix - takes shelter at unsettling/isolated 'Bates Motel' - here she meets motel owner Norman Bates - comes across as shy/innocent/socially awkward man
• Paragraph 1 - MISE-EN-SCENE - Opening line (S)

  • During parlour scene, H makes an effective use of mise-en-scene to establish the relationship between N and M, subtly hint at N's strange personalities and also signalling Marions mysterious murder
• Paragraph 1 - MISE-EN-SCENE - Textual Analysis

  • Before M an N enter the parlour, MIS is used here to show N's reflection in window, hinting at the theme of duality, suggesting there is another side to his awkward but seemingly hospitable character
• Mise-en-scene


  • N carrying a tray of food for M
  • Milk jug positioned towards M
  • Spout of milk jug acts as an arrow subtly marking M as N's next target
  • Foreshadowing M's later fate in Shower
• Stuffed birds surrounding M and N

  • M's facial expressions change from smiling/relaxed to anxious as she enters the parlour
  • Reveals how N is lonely and has time to fill
  • and as a result, we feel sorry for him
• Birds hovering over M in a sinister way


  Symbolises the evil part of N's nature and his voyeurism as the characters are being watched
• Paragraph 1 - evaluation

  • use of Mise-en-scene in parlour scene makes audience become more familiar with M and N's charcaters as we learn more about N's duality and his strange taxidermy hobbies
  • The different objects used here successfully helps to create a tense atmosphere
• Paragraph 2 - LIGHTING - Introduction

  • Another key technique used in the parlour scene to create tension is lighting.
  • Throughout the scene lighting is used to highlight the differences in chaaracters and to forshadow M's later fate in the infamous shower scene
• Paragraph 2 - LIGHTING - Textual Analysis PT1

  • When M is invited into the Parlour (Which is clearly N's domain) to have to dinner, she sits near the tiffany lamp, making her face well lit with a soft glow
  • despite her being a thief - the lighting shows she is not completely consumed by evil and she can easily make up for her mistakes
  • Also shows the softness and warmth radiated by her character
• Paragraph 2 - LIGHTING - Textual Analysis - PT3

  • However, as N sits opposite her, there is a clear contrast as he is lit with low-key lighting
  • This casts a shadow across his face suggesting a darker personality
• Paragraph 2 - LIGHTING- Textual Analysis - PT4

  • To add to this, as conversation moves towards N's mother, the contrast between light and dark becomes much more apparent
  • As N's face becomes completely divided in two by the shadow - further hinting at his dual personality
• Paragraph 2 - LIGHTING - Evaluation

  • Due to the lighting used in this scene, Hitchcock demonstrates a strong sense of tension
• Paragraph 3 - SOUND - introduction

  • Hitchcock uses sound to dramatically increase tension and give more insight into N's troubled character
• Paragraph 3 - SOUND - Textual Analysis PT1

  • At first, conversation seems light and casual
  • Turning point of sequence occurs when M makes comment about putting N's mother in "some place" - his whole demeanor becomes defensive - shown by the sustained high-pitched single violin note contrasting with the low and sustained single note, further adding tension and suspense
• Paragraph 3 - SOUND - Textual Analysis PT2

  • The variation in high and low notes as soon as conversation turns towards N's mother creates a clear and dramatic contrast - the louder sporadic sounds show his decent into madness
  • Also incinuating the theme of duality
  • The music acts as a ticking clock of M's death
• Paragraph 3 - SOUNDS - Evaluation

  • Hitchcock's use of sound is especially sinister as the low eerie music is only introduced when his mother is mentioned - clearly showing us a completely different side to his awkward character as he becomes much more dominant, forceful and aggressive when he speaks about his mother
  • Creatively adding more tension
• Paragraph 4 - CAMERA SHOTS/ANGLES - Introduction

  • Final technique used by Hitchcock is CAMERA SHOTS AND ANGLES
  • Use of this technique creates tension in parlour scene because N's voyeursim is revealed and we realise just how vulnerable M is
• Paragraph 4 - CAMERA SHOTS/ANGLES - Textual Analysis PT1

  • As the subject of his mother becomes a bigger topic, he leans into a close-up shot and explains how he resents her and would like nothing more than to leave her - but can't because she's ill
  • Camera angle here now to the side and below N, revealing a stuffed owl in a striking position as if he is his mother's prey and is captured by her.
• Paragraph 4 - CAMERA SHOTS/ANGLES - textual analysis PT2

  • In the next shot, atmosphere darkens and becomes more tense when M suggests sending N's mother into a home
  • Here, N leans into a close-up, suggesting his mother is a large and threatening character
• Paragraph 4 - CAMERA SHOTS/ANGLES - Textual analysis PT3

  • In the final shots, M leaves parlour - tension dissiaptes slightly - however further implies her impeding death
  • N takes painting off wall - but before he removes it he hesitates - creating tension as we are unsure what is about to happen
  • small hole is revealed - now ECU of N's eye watching M undress - revealing he is a voyeur - he secretly likes watching - suggesting the strange, unstable nature of his character
• Paragraph 4 - CAMERA SHOTS/ANGLES - Evaluation

  • To summarise, we see how important the use of camera shots and angles are in order to intensify the Parlour scene
• THE CONCLUSION

  • Hitchcock skillfully uses various techniques: MES, Lighting, Sound, and camera work to create tension in the parlour scene.
  • He uses MES at the beginning of scene to introduce relationship between characters (Shadows=N duality) (Objects=M fate)
  • Lighting highlights contrast between characters and also forshadows what will happen later in film
• THE CONCLUSION PT2

  • Hitchcock uses sound to increase tension more - and give audience better understanding of N's odd character
  • We understand importance of camera work as H uses camera angles to depict emotion in characters: wide shots=show cold emotions, close intense shots=show anger/agression, low angles=show vulnerability
  • "Psycho" was a very gripping film, represented psychological side of horror instead of just blood and gore which clearly worked effectively + added tension.