How is cinematography used to create atmosphere and effects in the shower scene of Psycho?

Cinematography is used in many different ways to create different atmospheres and effects in the shower scene of ‘Psycho’.

 

 

 

 

 

One way in which cinematography is used in this way is through the camera shots used. Throughout the scene, there is a variety of camera shots used, such as close ups and shots from the different characters perspective and a third persons point of view. One of which is a close-up of the showerhead, by using this shot the audience are able to see the setting and the scene from the victim’s point of view. This therefore means that the killers approach is not only unknown to the victim but also to the audience as they cannot see what is happening behind the cameras view. It also makes the audience well aware of what is going to be happening in the scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another camera shot used is a mid-long shot of the shower curtain and the victim in the shower. This shows the audience the victim and the killer (behind the curtain) from a 3^rd person’s point of view. Due to view point that the audience is seeing the scene from, they are forewarned about what is going to happen to the victim. This is because they can see more than the victim can and so they therefore know more about what may happen. As the scene progresses the tension builds also, the camera shots clearly display this in many different ways. One of the ways is through the use of cut-aways, this is used when the victim is being attacked with a knife by the killer. The camera cuts from the victim being attacked from a 3^rd person’s point of view or the killer’s point of view, to a shot of the killer, which the audience sees from the victim’s point of view. The camera shots used are close-ups, by using this type of shot, tension is created, and the quick change between the cut aways allows the audience to see from all the characters point of views. This means they feel fully involved in the scene and therefore they may feel tense in the way the victim does.  Another way in which the camera is used in the shower scene of ‘Psycho’ is through an extreme long shot. This denotes the main character walking through the bathroom, by displaying this and using this particular camera shot, it creates a realistic and normal situation. Therefore it creates a tense and thrilling atmosphere as the audience are able to put themselves into the victim’s vulnerable and naive state. Also the camera moves at a smooth and slow pace, mimicking the victim’s movements that can be perceived by the audience. This could also represent the way in which the victim is feeling at this particular part of the scene, tranquil and calm.  Therefore the audience can see a clear change in her emotions when she sees the killer. It also makes the audience empathise for the victim as they are vulnerable and they are able to see how they may be feeling.

Lighting:

 The shower scene in the film ‘Psycho’ uses a specific type of lighting in order to portray a realistic atmosphere for the audiences viewing. The lighting used is high-key, by using this lighting the victim is therefore exposed, making her seem more vulnerable to the killer. Due to the lighting used, the figures can be seen clearly, therefore when the scene is viewed from a 3^rd persons point of view, the attack can be clearly scene, therefore making the scene tenser and more thrilling as the audience knows exactly what is going on. At the end of the scene the camera pans out of the bathroom and into a dimly lit bedroom. In the frame a bedside table with a map and lamps can be denoted. The dim lighting reflects the death of the victim as it can represent the light slowly fading away from the victim’s body sue to their death. This also makes the audience aware that the scene and the murder takes place at night, which is a typically time for eerie things to occur. Not only this but the dim lighting at the unknown map, creates a mysterious atmosphere. The lighting used for the killer is dim, this means that the identity of the killer remains unknown and also the dark lighting can be compared to the killers, dark and twisted personality.

Sound:

The shower scene in the film ‘Psycho’ uses many different diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, which create tension and enhance the scene in many different ways. One way in which diegetic sound is used is when the toilet is flushed and the sound of the shower.  These are used in many different ways throughout out the scene, it can be stated that these sounds are used to create a realistic atmosphere for which the scene takes place in. By creating a realistic atmosphere, the audience can view the scene as a realistic event and the indication that it could be real makes it all the more thrilling. Another way in which these sounds are used is to mask the killer, by using these sounds the audience nor the victim can hear the killer approaching. By doing this, the incident is not only unknown to the victim but also to the audience as well, making the audience feel just as vulnerable as the victim in the scene. Another type of sound used is diegetic, one way the scene uses diegetic sound is in the victims scream. By using this sound, the audience can clearly see her terror as it is emphasized by the intensity of the scream used. Also the scream is a clear representation of when someone is in danger or feels at risk, therefore the audience can tell what is happening in the scene just from the sounds. The soundtrack of the film also uses a lot of different sounds that not only reflect the scene but also compliment what is happening. The soundtrack used in the scene uses a violin, this instrument is very discordant, it also mirrors the noise of the knife and the victim’s scream. The soundtrack moreover compliments the visuals of the scene, for example when the victim dies the music increases in volume, it uses a minor key and therefore it reflects sadness and depression that can be noticed in the scene. Lastly as the camera starts to spin in an extreme close up around the victims eye, the music becomes more chaotic, therefore representing a loop of confusion in the camerawork and the sound used.

 

How the scene uses conventions of the thriller genre:

The shower scene in the film ‘Psycho’ uses many different conventions of the thriller genre. One of the conventions that the scene clearly uses is a situation that is impossible for the victim to escape. This is used within this scene, the victim is trapped in the shower as their only exit is blocked by the killer and the weapon. Therefore they are in an inescapable situation of which is a typical convention for a film of the thriller genre. Another typical convention is that there is an antagonist with a hidden identity which is uncovered by the audience throughout the film. This applied to the scene as the identity of the antagonists is not clearly shown and therefore remains a mystery until it is uncovered later in the film. Another convention that is typical of a thriller film is a frequent use of jump cuts and cross-cutting. These are used frequently in the editing of the shower scene, typically when the victim is being attacked by the killer. Lastly a convention of a thriller that the shower scene clearly demonstrates is tense music, this is used throughout in order to create tension and to make the scenes thrilling, which is done in the shower scene in psycho. The tense music adds a thrilling atmosphere, it is typical of thrillers to use a soundtrack that includes tense and chaotic music as it complements what is happening in the scene.

Editing:

The editing used in the shower scene of the film ‘Psycho’ creates an intense atmosphere and many different effects are also created. One way in which the editing does this is through the use of reverse shots, the scene demonstrates these frequently throughout. They are most frequently used when the victim is being attacked by the killer, the scene cuts from the killer’s point of view to the victim’s point of view. By doing this the audience sees the scene from all perspectives and therefore are able to analyse the scene thoroughly. Another way in which editing is used to create atmosphere is through the use of pace. The scene’s pace starts slow and then the pace begins to quicken, it does this as soon as the victim becomes faced with the killer, everything in the scene becomes faster; the sounds, the cut aways. Due to the editing of the pace, the scene creates tension, when the pace quickens, the scene becomes tenser. It does this because the quicker the scene becomes, the more chaotic and hectic it seems to the audience, therefore creating a tense atmosphere. Editing is also used as a sped up cut away of a stormy sky is used, this therefore creates pathetic fallacy as the mood of the weather reflects the chaotic scene between the victim and killer. The cut away also makes the audience aware of the weather and therefore they are shown what is surrounding the murder, allowing a sense of realism to be displayed in the scene.

Mise-en-scene:

There are many different aspects of mise-en-scene that are used with the shower scene in the film ‘Psycho’. The only costume used in the scene is by the killer, they are seen to be wearing dark clothing, and this clearly reflects their character and adds mystery as to their identity. The victim does not wear a costume, she is completely naked throughout the scene, due to the victim being naked, and the audience are shown how vulnerable the victim is throughout the scene. Without clothing the victim is almost fully exposed to the danger and the killer. Therefore the victim is typical for a thriller; a vulnerable woman, making a more realistic atmosphere as this is the typical target for many crimes in today’s society.  The makeup that is used in the scene is of cuts, this makes the brutality of the murder known to the audience and also represents the violence. Not only this but the woman does not wear any makeup, this shows that she is getting into the shower and also makes the victim seem even more vulnerable and naked. The scene is set in a bathroom, this is vital in creating a realistic atmosphere. Due to the realistic setting and the normality of it, the audience are faced with the realism that it could happen to anyone, therefore making the scene more thrilling to watch. Lastly the only prop used in the scene is a knife, this creates a tense atmosphere as it can represent danger. Also a knife is an everyday object and easy to get access to, once again adding a sense of realism and thrill to the scene. Not only this but the camera often focus on the knife, and the knife is the main object in many of the camera shots. This therefore creates a tense and thrilling atmosphere, this is because the audience do not know when and how the knife is going to be used in the scene.