1. https://swarm.tv/t/1go
‘Psycho’
Directed by
Alfred Hitchcock

2. Themes
What is a THEME?
As we watch the film, consider and note down what you think some of the main themes of the movie are.

3. Genre What do we mean by film genre?
What are some examples of film genre? Name as many as you can.
What characteristics make a film belong to a certain genre? Give examples for THREE genres.

4. Some Examples…

5. Some Examples…

6. Some Examples…

7. Lighting
Lighting is used by the directors and cinematographer to create MOOD and ATMOSPHERE.
Two types of lighting used are LOW-KEY LIGHTING and HIGH-KEY LIGHTING.

8. Lighting
LOW-KEY lighting is when the lighting of a scene is very dark, with shadows and only a few bright spots. This helps create TENSION in a scene, and indicates that something may be about to happen, or to emphasise a subdued mood.

9. Lighting
HIGH-KEY lighting is when a shot is evenly lit, with few dark areas. There tends not to be a lot of tension in scenes like this, however, directors can use very bright lighting to emphasise pressure.

10. Lighting Which of the below images are LOW-KEY and HIGH-KEY lighting?
What effect does it create for the audience?

11. Lighting

12. Lighting

13. Lighting

14. Lighting
Looking at lighting in the following clips, what effect does it have on the audience?
How does the director use lighting to convey meaning in these scenes? Make notes in your jotter.

15. Recap Quiz What does the term ‘genre’ mean?
What is the term used to describe dark lighting in a film?
What effect does this create?
What is the opposite effect called?
What shot would use to show a character's emotions?
What shot would we use to establish a location?

16. Film Techniques - Sequence
What is a SEQUENCE?
In the same way that you know the code for getting words in a sentence in the right order (you don’t say, for example. ‘Name my John is’), the film maker has codes for conveying his messages. A film-maker’s ‘sentence’ is a sequence of shots; and to make sense they come in a definite order.

17. Camera Shots and Angles
Long shots are often used at the start of a film to tell you where a film is set.
A long shot is taken from far away and shows a big picture.
Look at the following long shots and discuss what information the director might be wanting to tell the audience about where and when the film will take place or even what kind of film it will be.

18. Long Shot
Where is this?
Note how just one image instantly sets this film in a particular place.
With one frame the director tells the audience where the film will be set.

19. What kind of a film would begin with this sort of image?
Another long shot
Where is this?
What kind of a film would begin with this sort of image?

20. Where is this?
What kind of a feeling does this image give the audience?

21. Long Shot
When do you think a film that begins with this scene might be set?

22. Medium Shot
This is often used to show characters in a background

23. Medium Shot
This is a typical medium shot, placing a character in a background.

24. Close Up The next type of camera shot is the close up.
These are often used to show how a person is feeling.
A close up can also focus in on a thing to emphasise it.

25. Close Up This is a close up shot of a woman’s face.
What do you notice about her?

26. Another Close Up What emotion do you think this boy is showing?
How is he feeling?

27. More close ups How are these people feeling?
How do you feel when you look at these images?

28. Close Ups How do you feel when you see this close up?
Why do you think the film maker used this shot?

29. Close Ups How do you feel when you see this close up?
Why do you think the film maker used this shot?

30. Close ups can also be used for things.

31. More close ups

32. EXTREME CLOSE UP.
It is when the camera focuses very closely in on a subject.

33. Recap Quiz What does the term ‘genre’ mean?
What is the term used to describe dark lighting in a film?
What effect does this create?
What is the opposite effect called?
What shot would use to show a character's emotions?
What shot would we use to establish a location?

34. Class Task
Task
We are now going to watch a scene from a film. Complete the Deconstructing sheets with as many detailed notes on the techniques being used and the effect they have.
Think about how these shots have been used in this film. Is it effective?

35. Camera Angles We are going to look at 2 kinds of camera angles:
A high camera angle – when the camera looks down on a person or thing.
A low camera angle – when the camera looks up at a person or thing.

36. High Camera Angle
Here is a camera man up high aiming his camera DOWN at the subject for a high camera angle.

37. High camera angles look down on the subject

38. High Camera Angle
This shot from The Lord of the Rings shows Frodo looking down on Gollum making him look small and weak.

39. High Camera Angle
What is the director trying to CONVEY through this camera angle? What does this shot EMPHASISE about the character?

40. Low Camera Angle
A low angle shot is when the camera is aimed UP at the subject.

41. Low Camera Angle
A low camera angle makes the person look powerful and strong.
It was frequently used in propaganda to highlight the strengths and omnipotence of leaders, such as Hitler.

42. More low camera angles

43. Low Camera Angle
By placing the audience below this character, we understand that this character appears larger, more powerful – he seems to be a threat to Marion, who seems more vulnerable than he does.

44. Active Listening Task
As we are watching the next part of the film, make a note in your jotter of when the following camera shots, angles and lighting are used, and the effect they have:
- Low-key lighting
- High-key lighting
- Close Up
- Medium shot
- Long shot
- Extreme Close Up
- High Angle shot
- Low Angle shot

45. Quick Quiz
Each of the next slides shows one of the genres, camera shots or angles we have looked at.
See if you can tell what each one is.
Work INDIVIDUALLY, and write the answers in your jotter.

46. What camera angle is this? What effect does it create?

47. What kind of shot is this? Why would a director use this?

48. What film genre is this? How do we know?

49. What is this shot called. What does it tell us about the movie
What is this shot called? What does it tell us about the movie? Think about setting, genre, possible plot and characters.

50. What camera angle is used here? What does it suggest?

51. This is an ACTION movie – true or false? How do we know?

52. Explain Low-key and High-key lighting.

53. What kind of shot is this?

54. Sound Techniques Music
Sound effects (SFX)- thunder, car horns, ringing bells or any other sound
Background noise (people talking, traffic)
Accent (the accent that characters have)
Dialogue (what characters say)

55. Non-diegetic sound
Diegetic sound

56. Sound Techniques What do you think these techniques are used for?
Music (background or soundtrack)
Sound effects (SFX)
Background noise

57. Sound Techniques
Create or evoke emotions - tension, fear, sympathy etc
Build to climax
Decrease to anti-climax
To focus your attention on a specific sound
Provide realism

58. Music
Watch the following clip, and think about how the change in the music and sound affects the scene.

59. Sound Now, let’s watch part of the movie.
Make a note in your jotter of when you see:
Certain sound techniques, such as music or SFX
Note down the effect these have on the scene
Why has the director used these?
What do they emphasise?
What meaning is he trying to convey to us?

60. Mise-en-scène
The arrangement of everything that appears in the framing – actors, lighting, décor, props, costume – is called mise-en-scène, a French term which means “placing on stage.”
The frame and camerawork also constitute the mise-en-scène of a movie.
It basically means everything what you see in each scene of a film.

61. What do we look for? Setting and props. Costume and make up.
Lighting and colour.
The way items and people are positioned.
ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS CAN TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS, SETTING AND PLOT

62. Setting and Props
In the movie, the Bates Motel is presided over by the large, imposing home of Norman and his mother.
The SETTING here is isolated, as well as decidedly dark and sinister.
This emphasises the vulnerability of the characters and the threat the killer poses (NB – the low angle shot also suggests the threat that this home represents)

63. Setting and Props
The use of PROPS is incredibly important, particularly in the parlour scene.
The stuffed birds surrounding Norman not only seem threatening – one even appears to be poised to attack Marion – but SYMBOLISE the lack of freedom that Norman experiences so keenly.

64. Costumes and Make Up
What COSTUMES are used in the movie to tell us more about the characters?

65. The Way Items and People are Positioned
The most important thing in a shot is usually placed IN THE CENTRE
Our eye naturally falls to the centre of a frame
Film makers use this to their advantage and place what they want us to focus on most in the middle of the shot

66. The Way Items and People are Positioned

71. Mise-en-scène Look at this frame
Why do you think the mise-en-scène has been arranged like this?
What does it tell us?

73. Mise-en-scène Look at this frame
Why do you think the mise-en-scène has been arranged like this?

74. Task
As we watch this scene, describe the mise-en-scène, and what this tells us about the CHARACTERS, SETTING and PLOT.
Remember, you need to include:
- Setting and props
- Costume and make up
- Lighting and colour
- The way items and people are positioned

75. Symbolism
A symbol is an object, action or idea that represents something other than itself, often of a more abstract nature.
Often, a film will use symbols to emphasise a movie’s themes, ideas and issues.

81. Connotations
The sun is literally a yellowish ball in the sky, but the word ‘connotes' to us meanings such as warmth, cheerfulness, life, etc.
A teddy bear is a stuffed, brown plaything but it ‘connotes' comfort and childhood innocence to us.

82. Task Continue watching the movie
In your jotters, note down any possible SYMBOLS used in the film.
You should write down what the symbol is, as well as what you think it represents.

83. Example:
Camera shot, close up
Extended close up of Marion’s face
Near beginning of the film, as she is driving away from Phoenix with the stolen money
Shows us her growing anxiety and sense of guilt over what she has done; quite an intimate shot – we cannot look away from Marion, just as she cannot escape her actions now, no matter how far she travels.
Task
In groups, now note down as many example of the different techniques as you can.
You should note down:
what the technique is
describe it
roughly when it appears in the movie
and – most importantly – the meaning it conveys.

84. Opening Scene
The bleak, monochrome film is made more effective by Bernard Herrmann's sparse, but driving, recognizable score, first played under the frantic credits - shown with abstract, gray horizontal and vertical lines that streak back and forth, violently splitting apart the screens and causing them to disappear. The frenetic lines appear as prison bars or vertical city buildings. [These criss-crossing patterns, like mirror-images, are correlated to the split, schizophrenic personality of a major protagonist.]
The film opens with the aerial-view camera sweeping left to right along the urban skyline of "PHOENIX, ARIZONA" where some new construction is in progress. [The numerous references to birds in the film begins here, with the city of 'Phoenix'.] The specific date and time are emphasized in titles in the middle of the screen:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER THE ELEVENTH TWO FORTY-THREE P.M

85. The shot pans across many skyscraper buildings, and after a series of numerous dissolves, randomly chooses to descend and penetrate deeper into one of many windows in a cheaper, high-rise hotel building - the window's venetian blinds narrowly conceal the dingy interior.
There, the camera pauses at the half-open window - and then voyeuristically intrudes into the foreground darkness of the drab room. The camera takes a moment to adjust to the black interior - and then pans to the right where a post-coital, semi-nude couple have just completed a seedy, lunch-time tryst.
Attractive, single 30-ish secretary, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), wearing only a prominent white bra and slip and reclining back on a double bed, is with her shirtless lover Sam Loomis (John Gavin) who stands over her.
Sam speaks the first line of dialogue, referring to the uneaten lunch food on the stand - on many levels, she has lost her appetite for their ungratifying relationship and mutual poverty. As he kisses her and they embrace on the bed, they discuss their "cheap" relationship and impoverishment, and their many unresolved issues:

86. The scene begins with Sam getting dressed and the two talking about their secretive relationship. As he stands above her, this gives the impression that Sam is control. They embrace on the bed as the conversation goes back and forth about marriage. Who is on top changes as the direction of the conversation does- They each give their opposing opinions on their relationship.
As Marion rises to dress, they discuss further difficulties in their fitful relationship (characterized as more sexual than intimate). She faces away from Sam, until he says what she wants to hear.
In a semi-ultimatum to Sam, Marion tells him that "this is the last time" - she will deny him further sexual couplings in "secretive" meetings. She expresses her frustration about their private love trysts and her real desire for marriage - she wants chastity, respectability, and public meetings in the place she shares with her sister (where a framed picture of her dead "Mother" morally disapproves, presides, and judges them).

87. He agrees to see her under the new terms of 'respectability,' although he reminds her how "a lot of sweating out," "patience," and "hard work" would be prerequisites in arespectable relationship [Marion's sister later tellingly asserts: "Patience doesn't run in my family"]:
Sam, a small-town (Fairvale, California) hardware store proprietor, is also frustrated and self-pitying because of his money worries - he is a financial martyr, burdened by his father's debts and the alimony he must pay to his ex-wife. She proposes marriage directly (she is still a spinster and stuck in the same job after ten years) - and poignantly describes her willingness to share a life of cash-strapped hardship with him.
But annoyingly, he balks at the thought, refusing because he doesn't want her to live in poverty and because he believes he must first pay off his debts over the next couple years. She threatens to leave him and thinks she may find "somebody available" to take his place and end her fears of being a fallen woman:

88. As the two speak, the camera goes closer to them as they closer to each other, but pulls back when they pull back from each other. They pull back from each other when one says something the other doesn’t like and causes frustration. Their body language through this scene depicts their emotions.
Unhappy and unfulfilled in her unsanctified relationship, Marion rejects his idea to take the afternoon off and rushes back to her storefront real estate office - she is anxious about being late.
For the audience this scene creates justification for Marion’s following actions- stealing the $40,000 (the MacGuffin)

89. We will be concentrating on the PARLOUR SCENE.
Task
Choose a film or TV drama which creates suspense or tension either in a particular scene or throughout the whole film or TV drama.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the suspense or tension is created and how it affects your enjoyment of the film or TV drama as a whole.
We will be concentrating on the PARLOUR SCENE.
Look at the critical essay question.
Pick out what you think are the KEY WORDS.
Now find SYNONYMS for these key words.

90. Success Criteria What makes a good essay?
Good analysis – detail, relevant to question
Good evidence – description of scene/shot/technique, relevant to question, able to analyse in depth.
Topic sentences
Technical accuracy – punctuation, spelling, paragraphs, phrasing, capitals.
Flows well – connectives/linking language, order of techniques/scenes.
Wide vocabulary
REFER TO QUESTION!

91. Introduction
Title
TART: Title – Author (or director in this case) – Refer to Task (essay question)
Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal horror ‘Psycho’ portrays the sudden murder of its main character, Marion, by the seemingly-meek motel owner Norman Bates. However, even before the infamous shower scene where Marion meets her fate, Hitchcock makes skilled use of techniques such as lighting, mise-en-scene and sound to create an unnerving, tense atmosphere within the parlour scene – one that inhabits the film as a whole. Through his effective use of these techniques, Hitchcock subtly suggests the danger that Norman represents to Marion, and foreshadows his shocking unveiling at the film’s climax.
Director
Refer to essay question
Evaluative language
Summary of techniques used
Relevance of scene to film as a whole

92. How to Make Sure You Answer the Question
First of all, read the question carefully TWICE.
Sounds simple, but you wouldn’t believe how many people misread the question and answer based on what they THINK it asks them rather than what it actually does.
Secondly, pick out KEY WORDS from the question – note these down and try to think of alternative language/synonyms for them.
By having this language in your topic sentence and evaluation, you ensure you refer to the question.
By thinking of synonyms for the key words, you ensure your language and vocabulary is varied (nothing worse than a boring, repetitive essay)

93. Planning your essay
You should be aiming for an introduction, five paragraphs and a conclusion.
For each paragraph, you should have a specific technique, and an example of how that is used in the scene – ensure this is relevant to the question.
Task
For each paragraph, plan the following:
Technique
Where it comes in the scene – what is happening (briefly)
How the technique is used – what it looks/sounds like.
What that suggests to us.
How that creates suspense/tension.
DUE MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

94. Point
The Point is simply what each paragraph is about- you make a main point in every paragraph you write. This is usually the TOPIC SENTENCE you use.
Do not signpost your paragraph e.g. do not say “I am going to talk about”

95. What is a POINT/TOPIC SENTENCE?
This is basically a sentence that introduces what the paragraph is going to be about.
You should mention WHAT you are going to discuss in the paragraph, and refer back to the question.
REMEMBER YOUR KEY WORDS AND ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE!

96. Example Topic Sentences
In ‘Psycho’, Hitchcock uses contrasts in lighting to create atmosphere and tension in the parlour scene, as well as hint at another side to Norman’s character.
As well as this, Hitchock’s use of mise-en-scene also serves to highlight the growing danger Marion is in, foreshadowing what is to come later in the film.
It is in the smallest details that we begin to see a picture of the danger that lies beneath Norman’s naïve exterior, through the placement of reflections in the cabin window.

97. Referencing the question
A reader should be able to guess what the essay question is simply by looking at your essay.
It is VITAL that you ensure you refer to the question throughout – this is the only way you will be sure that you have actually answered the question!

98. Evidence
The evidence is the description of the scene, shot or technique you are using to back up your point.
It is important that you pick evidence that you can explain and evaluate FULLY.
Never just drop evidence in – always introduce them within the CONTEXT of the story, i.e. what is happening at this point in the story or film, what characters are involved and who they are, etc.

99. EXAMPLE
TOPIC SENTENCE: In ‘Psycho’, Hitchcock uses contrasts in lighting to create atmosphere and tension in the parlour scene, as well as hint at another side to Norman’s character.
EVIDENCE: As Marion and Norman eat dinner in the parlour, the lighting used on Marion is warm and bright. However, in sharp contrast to this, the lighting on Norman is low-key, with dark shadows obscuring one side of his face.

100. Evaluation (Analysis)
This is the chance for you to explain how the quotation backs up the point you are making
You need to make sure that you fully explain the quotation or shot/scene/technique.
Discuss:
- what the evidence SUGGESTS
- how does this support the essay question
You also need to evaluate it, i.e. give your opinion on how successful it is – this should be implicit - do not write “I think”.

101. EXAMPLE
TOPIC SENTENCE: In ‘Psycho’, Hitchcock uses contrasts in lighting to create atmosphere and tension in the parlour scene, as well as hint at another side to Norman’s character.
EVIDENCE: As Marion and Norman eat dinner in the parlour, the lighting used on Marion is warm and bright. However, in sharp contrast to this, the lighting on Norman is low-key, with dark shadows obscuring one side of his face.
EVALUATION: What this use of lighting does so effectively is to begin to suggest that there is a far darker side to Norman than first appears. The shadows obscuring the side of his face not only insinuate the danger he poses to Marion - amplifying the tension within this already uncomfortable scene - but also successfully foreshadows the unveiling of his dual personality at the climax of the film.

102. And that’s ONE paragraph.
Putting P E E Together
Point/ Topic Sentence.
Evidence – description of scene and technique.
Evaluation/Analysis.
And that’s ONE paragraph.

103. EXAMPLE
In ‘Psycho’, Hitchcock uses contrasts in lighting to create atmosphere and tension in the parlour scene, as well as hint at another side to Norman’s character. As Marion and Norman eat dinner in the parlour, the lighting used on Marion is warm and bright. However, in sharp contrast to this, the lighting on Norman is low-key, with dark shadows obscuring one side of his face. What this use of lighting does so effectively is to begin to suggest that there is a far darker side to Norman than first appears. The shadows obscuring the side of his face not only insinuate the danger he poses to Marion - amplifying the tension within this already uncomfortable scene - but also successfully foreshadow the unveiling of his dual personality at the climax of the film.

104. If In Doubt… Use this cloze structure for your paragraphs to help you:
Second paragraph onwards
Similarly/Moreover/As well as this/Furthermore/Continuing this idea, author/director’s surname emphasises/highlights/draws attention to/explores refer to the question through his/her skilful/clever/interesting/compelling use of technique. In which part of the story/novel/film we see describe what happens in the quote/scene. Quote/description of film technique. The use of technique suggests that discuss the connotations. This clearly/successfully/effectively emphasises what impact the quote/technique has on the overall text and demonstrates how skilfully/effectively/clearly author/director’s surname has highlighted refer to the question.

105. How do we write a conclusion?
An effective conclusion should:
Refer back to the question.
Summarise your main points.
Comment on how effective the writer/director has been in their use of techniques.
Use TART again.

106. Example
‘Psycho’ is probably Hitchcock's most famous film, and whilst the shower scene is the sequence most talked about, the unsettling tension within the parlour scene is what adds the most suspense. Hitchcock's subtle use of lighting and positioning carefully hint at Norman’s dual personality, whilst the use of mise-en-scène, particularly the threatening stuffed birds, emphasise the danger Norman poses to Marion. Ultimately this scene foreshadows Marion’s upcoming murder, and help create a complex and fascinating sequence, full of tension and suspense.

107. Critical Essay
Using the PEE structure, create TWO detailed essay plans based on the TWO questions below.
Next week you will complete ONE of these under timed conditions, i.e. within forty-five minutes, and complete the other at home to the very best of your ability.

108. Critical Essay
Using the PEE structure, create TWO detailed essay plans based on TWO questions from the Essay Questions sheet.
Complete ONE of these under timed conditions, i.e. within a period, and complete the other at home to the very best of your ability.
1. Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama which had an impact on you.
Briefly describe the events which led to this scene or sequence, then, by referring to appropriate techniques, go on to show how this impact was created.
2. Choose a scene or sequence from a film which is important to either the development of plot or character.
Show how the director has made the scene significant and explain why you think it is so important to the development of plot or character.

109. Choose a scene or sequence from a film which is important to either the development of plot or character.
Show how the director has made the scene significant and explain why you think it is so important to the development of plot or character.

110. Complete this essay question under timed conditions – you can use your plan and notes.
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama which shocks or surprises you in some way. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how in this scene or sequence the element of surprise is made effective.

111. Overall Areas for Development
Timed Essay Feedback
Overall Strengths
Some good analysis in these pieces, giving connotations and what they are used to highlight to the audience.
It’s clear you understand the film well, and provide clear knowledge of the characters, plot and techniques used.
You are able to comment on how Hitchcock uses film techniques to convey meaning.
Overall Areas for Development
Make sure your introduction refers to the question and the techniques you will discuss.
Refer to the question throughout.
Stick to ONE technique and example thereof in each paragraph.
Work on completing the essay in the allocated time – you should be practising at home.
Phrasing can sometimes be confusing – check your work carefully, and read over each paragraph under your breath as you finish them.
Use present tense when writing a critical essay, e.g. “Hitchcock uses…”
Always be specific – don’t just say “This shows us about Norman.” WHAT about him? Tell us!

112. Choose ONE essay question and write a response in FULL EXAM CONDITIONS.
Answers to questions in this part should refer to the text and to such relevant
features as use of camera, key sequence, characterisation, mise-en-scène, editing, setting, music/sound, special effects, plot, dialogue . . .
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* in which an atmosphere of suspense or tension or horror is created. Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, and explain how the techniques used by the film or programme makers create this atmosphere.
Choose a film or TV drama* in which there is a character who poses a threat to the main character. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that the audience reacts against him/her and sees the threat which he/she poses.
Choose a film or TV drama* in which the main character is an individual for whom we feel sympathy. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that we feel sympathy.

113. Choose a film or TV drama in which there is a character about whom you have mixed feelings. Show why this character is important to the film or TV drama as a whole and by referring to appropriate techniques, explain how these mixed feelings are created.
Tips
Use PEE Structure – choose one example of one technique per paragraph and analyse FULLY.
Explain what a technique suggests to us, and what meaning Hitchcock is trying to convey, in relation to the essay question.
Phrasing – read over you work at the end of each paragraph, under your breath.

114. Task For each of these essay questions, write a HIGH QULAITY introduction, adapting your ‘skeleton’ introduction structure to each question type.
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* in which an atmosphere of suspense or tension or horror is created. Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, and explain how the techniques used by the film or programme makers create this atmosphere.
Choose a film or TV drama* in which there is a character who poses a threat to the main character. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that the audience reacts against him/her and sees the threat which he/she poses.
Choose a film or TV drama* in which the main character is an individual for whom we feel sympathy. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that we feel sympathy.

115. Task For each of these essay questions, write one PEE paragraph, considering the previous tips and feedback you have been given.
Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* in which an atmosphere of suspense or tension or horror is created. Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, and explain how the techniques used by the film or programme makers create this atmosphere.
Choose a film or TV drama* in which there is a character who poses a threat to the main character. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that the audience reacts against him/her and sees the threat which he/she poses.
Choose a film or TV drama* in which the main character is an individual for whom we feel sympathy. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that we feel sympathy.

116. Plan for this essay question:
Choose a film or TV drama in which the main character is an individual for whom we feel sympathy.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the character is portrayed in such a way that we feel sympathy.

117. Revision How to develop your analysis Structure of essay – PEE
Conclusions
Characterisation
Phrasing

118. Characterisation In your pairs, spend 10 minutes each analysing:
- Norman’s character
- Marion’s character
You should write down examples of film techniques, the scenes they are from, and analyse what they show us about these characters.
e.g. Scene – Marion's journey
Film technique – Extended close up of Marion's face as she drives away from Phoenix with the stolen money.
What this shows us – Marion's growing anxiety, as her face becomes more and more tense; obviously feels guilty over what she has done.

119. Norman Scene Film technique What this shows us The parlour scene
Mise-en-scene – reflection of Norman placed in centre of screen; one seems to be smiling, but his reflection is not.
Hints at the split personality Norman conceals; suggests a darker side to him that is kept hidden, which we only learn about as the film progresses.
Low-key lighting – used on one side of Norman’s face as he speaks to Marion
Again, suggests the darker side to his character; two sides to the character, foreshadows the revelation at the end of the film of his split personality.
Low angle shot – used on Norman as he reacts badly to Marion’s suggestion that he puts his mother ‘some place’.
Low angle makes him appear dominant and dangerous; foreshadows Marion’s fate at his hands.
Mise-en-scene, props – stuffed birds of prey looking down at Norman and Marion; look as though they are poised to attack.
Birds symbolise danger, particularly he crow symbolising death (foreshadowing Marion’s fate); emphasises the danger he represents; also the birds are frozen in time, mirroring the way Norman is trapped in his current situation.

120. Marion Scene Film technique What this shows us Marion’s journey
Close up of Marion's face when she realises her boss has seen her driving out of town when she is supposed to be home ill; she instantly appears guilty and afraid.
Shows us that Marion feels vulnerable – she clearly regrets stealing the money; although she has stolen the money, she feels guilty – still has morals, which helps us empathise with her as a character, despite her crime.
Parlour scene
Mise-en-scene, props, raven posed behind Marion.
Raven is a symbol of death; foreshadowing what will happen to Marion; shows how vulnerable she is – she becomes Norman’s prey, essentially.
Camera angle – Norman filmed at a low angle, Marion at a high angle.
Shows us that Marion is vulnerable, and that Norman poses a threat to her, despite his seemingly innocent and naïve demeanour.