Full analysis on key scene from Psycho.
At the beginning of the sequence we are introduced to a close up of the protagonist flushing paper down the toilet which is effective as it identifies the paper as a key prop and draws the attention of the viewer towards that item and why it has been hidden like that. Furthermore this creates an enigma as there must be a story behind the paper being flushed which creates more interest for the viewer. The sound of the toilet is diegetic as it exists within the movies world and it is also a synchronous sound as we can see the source of the sound on camera whilst it is taking place. The camera doesn't move at all and is kept at a high angle in order to make the toilet the main focus as it takes up most of the screen space. There is a score playing over this scene in order to try and create a tense mood and prepare the viewer for what is going to happen later on in the sequence.
After the toilet scene we are introduced with a panning shot of the protagonist moving from the toilet towards the door to shut it. The effect of the panning shot is to reveal to the viewer the surroundings of the scene in order to help them fully understand the setting of the scene. The camera is at a medium close up to the protagonist which allows the viewer to monitor her movements well. The sound of the door shutting is diegetic and synchronous as it exists within the world of the film and we can see it on camera whilst it is taking place. This part of the sequence will help to create tension as after she shuts the door the score that was playing stops which could mean that something is going to take place very soon which engages with the viewers attention.
In the next scene we are introduced to a close up shot on the protagonists lower legs and feet whilst she is undressing to get into the shower. This is effective because nudity was not allowed to be shown on screen so the director is able to show the viewers that she is undressed without having to show the viewers her nude. When the woman steps into the shower we have a medium shot of her body through the shower curtains aswell as a diegetic and synchronous sound of the shower curtains being dragged back.
As we progress we are introduced to a medium close up shot of the protagonist taking a shower whilst she is fully naked. This medium close up shot avoids showing the protagonist fully naked which makes a normal activity tense as when somebody is taking a shower you would expect them to be nude but this shot doesn't allow this to be shown. The camera is at a eye angle with the protagonist which makes her head centralised in the shot which makes her the main focus of the shot. We can hear a diegetic but asynchronous sound of the protagonist trying to get an item out of its packaging which is then followed by the diegetic and synchronous sound of the shower head being turned on. After the protagonist has started her shower we are introduced to a low shot facing up on the shower head which suggests that the shower head could be a key prop as it is the main focus of that shot.
Shortly after we are introduced to a montage of medium close ups of the protagonist showering but editting techniques have been used such as jump cuts in order to make it seem like time has gone by in the film quicker then it has in real life, in other words an 'ellipses of time'. During this montage many different camera angles are used in order to emphasise the action of the protagonist aswell as the shower head which is now defenitely identified as a key prop as the shots randomly return to it. From this scene we can see that the protagonist is thoroughly enjoying her shower which could be a technique used by the director in order to add more suspense as it emphasises the vulnerability of the character who seems to be very innocent.
The next part of the sequence starts with a medium close up on the protagonist who is towards the right of the shot in order to expose the full left part of the setting in order to allow the audience to be aware of the antagonist entering the bathroom whilst the protagonist is showering. This is effective because it creates dramatic irony as the audience knows that something is going to happen to the character before they know themselves. As the character enters the bathroom the camera begins to slowly zoom in order to draw the viewers attention to the darkened figure behind the shower curtain, this creates a lot of suspense as we can see the antagonist before the protagonist can and we can almost predict what will happen next. There is a medium close up shot on the antagonist who is in silluoette form which adds a sense of mystery to the character and makes it more interesting for the viewer to see.
The beginning of the next scene is synchronised with the curtain being pulled back by the antagonist. When the curtain has been drawn back, straight away we are introduced to a very loud, sharp and dramatic score playing over the scene which includes pleonastic sounds which mimicks the sound of the stabbing, this is very effective as it creates a sense of urgency within the scene and brings up emotions from the viewers who will be shocked at the scene as it will be uncomfortable to listen to and watch. During the stabbing there is a quick montage of close ups and extreme close ups on the antagonist and protagonist aswell as a variety of camera angles such as low and high angles in order to distinguish between the powerful antagonist and the weak and vulnerable protagonist. During the scene the sounds of the screaming is diegetic and synchronous as it is evident on screen that the woman is screaming and the sound exists within the world of the movie. At the end of the murder scene the antagonist is shown escaping at a mid shot and the viewer is able to identify that it could be a woman which again is a form of dramatic irony.
After the stabbing we are shown the protagonists hand sliding down the wall. An extreme close up shot is used on her hand in order to emphasise the fact that her life is literally 'slipping away' from her which shows that she is slowly dying. At this point in time the score changes to a slower pace and pleonastic sounds are used in order to mimic her dying slowly. While the shot is taking place we can still hear the diegetic sound of the shower running. The camera movement plays a huge role in this part of the scene as it tilts down to follow the protagonist sliding down the wall which reveals to the audience that she is slowly dying or has already died after the attack. This creates suspense as the viewer will want to know why she was murdered and by who.
As we progress the camera begins to slowly zoom in on the plug hole with water running down it which could emphasise that her life is draining away. As the camera slowly zooms into the plug hole, the shot transitions to the eye of the deceased protagonist and the camera begins to zoom out and spin slowly which expresses the fact that she has died.
After this we are introduced to a long tracking shot on the room and we are introduced to the setting in which the scene has taken place aswell as a key prop which is the newspaper as the camera stops roaming the room in order to focus in on the newspaper. The significance of the newspaper is not revealed in this scene but the idea that the newspaper may be significant later on is defenitely raised within the viewer. Finally in the final part of the sequence we are shown a house at a low angle with low key lighting in order to emphasise the fact that the house is creepy and may be of relevance later on in the movie.
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