Wednesday 10 December 2008

Revised: Notes on the shower sequence in Psycho

During the shower sequence in Hitchcocks "Psycho", diagetic sound is present. However it sounds as if it has been enhanced, as the water is the main sound heard, and it very loudly and thunderously hits the surface of the shower curtain and floor. This sound can enforce the feeling of the claustrophobic space, a convention of the thriller genre.

The shower itself symbolises Marions vulnerability as it is a small, confined space. There is a close up of the shower head, which shows its importance. The shower creates the idea of Marion 'washing away her sins'. The only barrier for Marion in the shower is the curtain, and this is not a very effective use of protection. Also, this curtain isn't transparent, and Marion is standing with her back to it, so the audience is able to see what Marion cannot, the shadow behind her.

Throughout the murder of Marion Crane, several close-ups and extreme close-ups are used. At the end of the murder scene, a fading shot is used, with an extreme close-up of marions eye cross-fading into water running down the plug-hole of the shower.

4 comments:

r.ricketts said...

Bryony, don't forget to upload your story board for the prelim task and remember to label your work.

vmb said...

Re Psycho,
You must explain the purpose of elements of mise-en-scene. What you're doing in TV Drama, i.e. technical analysis of elements of mise-en-scene to include sound etc, this is what is required.
At present Level 1.

vmb said...

Where is your mock essay, please bring into school and scan in.

vmb said...

Well done for scanning in your mock exam.