Cinematography and mise-en- scene in Alfred Hitchcock Cinematography and mise-en- scene in Psycho (1960) and Rear Window (1954)

Dialogue should simply be a sound among other sounds, just something that comes out of the mouths people whose eyes tell the story in visual terms. -Alfred Hitchcock.

Hitchcock’s Signature Cinematography Alfred Hitchock considered himself to be a cinema purist. He personally believed that story telling is best done visually and that when making a film the director should engage the audience as much as possible.

Hitchcock’s signature use of mise-en-scene: Colour or tones are balanced with care and generally serve a purpose Elaborate, purpose built sets Props generally have great significance in establishing character and their inner lives There is often a revealing erotic/sexual undercurrent

Hitchcock’s signature use of cinematography: The point of view shot (P.O.V). The active subjective camera (acting as if a POV, though not from a character) Heavy use of camera movement (often technically challenging) Intimacy Shot-reverse shot These techniques are all linked to a cinema that is voyeuristic

Rear Window

Your homework due next Friday ‘The mise-en-scene and cinematography of the opening sequences of Psycho and Rear Window are typical of Alfred Hitchcock’s visual style’. Do you agree? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuQBtgmB7bY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQuyQC11yUY