Analysis of psycho shower scene

 

This shot is a Medium close up (MCU) shot of the killer. The lighting effects are the main things to note as we cannot make out the killers face, giving this shot more of a creepy and unnerving feel for the audience. The use of shadows has also cleverly been used to highlight the hand of the killer, which is holding the knife, which is the main focus point for the audience if they saw this shot in normal lighting.  This shot is only very brief as the editing speeds up during the attack giving a sense of chaos and confusion to the audience to try and share the victim’s feelings. This is also a key sound moment for the scene as it is designed to shock the audience and the again get a sense of how the victim is feeling.  After this shot there are a number of dutch angle shots and quick editing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis of psycho shower scene

 

The shower scene in Psycho uses a lot of different lighting, sound, framing, composition and camera effects in only a small space of time. As the victim walks into the shower the camera is using close up affects. As she is un-expecting the attack, this is to share with the audience her feelings (to show she is calm and not nervous at all) it also shows the audience her emotional state, again to make it clear she is not expecting the attack at all. As she steps into the shower the camera is still using close ups to again emphasize the fact she is un-expecting the attack. It is only when the camera uses shots like a POV shot of the shower head, and a third person view of the shower curtain, that the tension begins to rise. We also notice how quick the editing is compared to previously. The shots are changing quicker, again adding to the tension. This is an effective camera technique to use for creating tension for the audience. As the killer appears very slowly, the audience only first see her behind the shower curtain getting closer and closer to its victim. One effective camera method used here, is that the camera uses a medium shot of the victim in the shower and the killer approaching from behind the shower curtain in the same shot. The victim hasn’t seen the killer yet so the audience see it before the victim does, this again is a very effective camera method of creating tension. Another thing to take note of should be the framing of the shots throughout. The camera focuses on her mainly throughout, excluding most of the objects in the bathroom. This again, gives the audience a sense that something may be about to happen.  As the killer pulls back the curtain, the camera uses close ups of the victim as she screams and the killer itself. During the attack angles such as dutch shots, extreme close ups (ECU) and a birds eye shot. The framing is very important of each shot as we only see very brief parts of; the killer, the victim, the knife and the shower. The editing is also sped up very quickly as the attack happens.

 

The lighting in this scene is very important. The scene is well lit as she walks into the shower and as she is in the shower. It is only when the attack happens that the lighting is used very effectively to create shadows on key areas. As is the sound. The sound gives a feeling of horror to the audience throughout the attack.

Composition and framing is also used very well used.