Notes on the Title sequence of Phsyco, Alfred Hitchcock, 1960.

During the title sequence of 'Phsyco' many aspects of a thriller are shown.

The dominant feature of the title sequence is the sound. The instruments used create a loud and threatening atmosphere, which helps to create suspense. The film opens with an establishing show of a city in Arizona. It is a birds eye view, including tall buildings, a lot of traffic, a general city atmosphere. The film then shows the date (Friday December 11th) and the camera zooms into a window, giving the audience a voyeuristic feeling.

In the room the camera has zoomed into, we are presented with a oman lyring on the bed, portrayed as the deviant femme fatale. This room is part of a cheap hotel, an unglamorous location. We are informed that the two people in the room are on a lunchbreak, which creates questions in the audience of whether this is a secret relationship?

As the films moves on, there is a sequence which suggests Marion Crane is running away. Previously, she had been given a large sum of money which she claimed she would take to the bank for somebody. The sequence includes Marion's underwear having changed from white in the title sequence to black, the wad of money she has taken, and her suitcase. The sound in this sequence is very important as it helps to build tension, the use of close-ups in this sequence also adds to this.