Psycho analysis

How does Hitchcock use cinematography to create tension in the parlour scene in psycho?

Hitchcock uses the use of framing in that the two featured actors are not in the same shot together, creating an invisible boundary between them. This does not allow the audience to see the space in between them it allow the audience with an idea that there is a physical boundary between the pair and the barrier allows the audience to feel safe with the knowledge that Marion is safe as long as that barrier is present, Hitchcock does this to add a sense of suspense in that you are unable to see the other person’s reaction to what the actor on screen is doing. This use of framing adds tension in that the audience has no knowledge of anything that is off camera. This technique allows Hitchcock to bring more focus to the subjects on screen.

Hitchcock uses mid shot as the dominant shot type this is particularly evident when the two featured are having a conversation. This allows the audience to clearly see all facial expressions on the subjects involved. This shot type also allows the audience to see a small amount of the surroundings of the individual and this shot type can be linked into the use of shadows in that you are able to clearly distinguish between what does and doesn’t have a shadow. The shot type changes to a close up when Normans mood changes. This allows the audience to see the fact that his mood has changed and creates tension by the shot being so closely shot allowing the emotions to be portrayed to the audience through the shot type.

Hitchcock uses the composition of the shots to create tension in the parlour scene. This is evident when there is a shot of Norman with the background and the wall is full of birds and pictures; this is done when Norman is defending his mother from what Marion had just said. This is a very good use of composition because the bird in the corner takes up more of the shot that Norman does showing a greater dominance to the shot, this can also be taken as a means that Norman has less power than even a stuffed bird. The way that the owl is portrayed in the shot is as if it is going to attack, as it has its wings spread and conveys danger. This also emphasises the fact that Norman has just been verbally attacked and symbolises an attacking nature and adding to the theme of conflict.In the shot Norman is shot from a low angle this is done to show his dominance in the frame, and it also makes him come across as being dangerous. This is developed when Marion is shot from a high angle, the use of this shows that she is highly vulnerable all of these techniques remind the audience of a physical and psychological element of danger.

Hitchcock uses camera angles to create tension through dominance. This is evident when Norman becomes agitated and begins to defend his mother. In this shot Norman is shown in a low angle shot putting the audience below them and making them feel powerless and small in comparison. In this shot Marion is shown as being less dominant this is done by being shot from a higher angle and looking down on her, this is done to show that Norman is dominant and that she should feel threatened by his presence in the shot. The shot being taken from a high angle will allow the audience to feel empathy for Marion. In this frame there are many close ups of Marion’s face, thus showing her emotions and feelings providing the audience with evidence to allow us to feel sorry for her being put into this situation. All the way through Marion is shot from a high angle until she gets up to leave, she is the shot from a low angle showing that she is no longer vulnerable to the situation that she was in. These shot show tension through the use of showing dominance and vulnerability between the two featured actors.

Hitchcock uses shadows to create tension; this is particularly evident when Norman begins to get angry. In the shot Norman is telling Marion about his mother’s history and during this shot his main features are shadowed not allowing the audience to be able to see the emotions present on his face, this then creates tension. However Marion is in the light and has no shadows on her face thus allowing all emotions to be clearly presented to the audience even though the audience already knows she is a criminal. Marion stays in the light until she takes dominance over Norman, as she leaves she does not only take the dominance off of Norman but also the use of shadows. This technique can also be linked to the usage of high and low angle shots as they are what implies the dominance of a character throughout the scene. Also throughout this scene Norman has a normal shadow and shadowing on his face whereas Marion only has shadows on her from objects that she is holding such as the bread that Norman brings for her. This is used to produce a sense of mystery around Marion; even though the audience knows what she is doing at the motel Norman has no clues and just sees her as someone that is running away. And the absence of her shadow implies that something is not right about her being there. The shadows in this scene are important as they create tension and they allow the important objects to stand out.