Sunday, 14 February 2010

Pyscho- Editing and Camera

As Part of my research, I studied the infamous shower scene from “Psycho”, which is one of the most prestigious examples of editing and camera use in the history of film.

The Shower scene- Horror Editing and Camera

The shower scene is the most influential scene in the history of cinema, it was the films crucial scene and illustrated protagonist Janet Leigh die in a gruesome knife attack. The scene incorporates over 77 separate camera angles, while containing 50 cuts. Despite this variety and fast cutting rate, the scene only lasted three minutes. A majority of the shots are extreme close-ups, depicting the horrendous aspects of the scene as well censoring a majority of the nudity. However, medium shots are incorporated precisely prior to and subsequent to the killing. This amalgamation of close ups paired with the small period of time between cuts make the scene materialize as lengthy, increasingly personal, and horrendously aggressive as if a violent frenzy, this effect wouldn’t have been produced if the clips had been demonstrated unaccompanied or at a wider angle.

Moreover, various interesting technical features were implemented in order to construct certain effects. For instance, in order to secure a straight-on shot of the head of the shower, the camera required a long lens. The central outlets of the shower head were obstructed and with the camera located much further back, making the appearance of the water hitting the lens however did not appear to be running off.

There are various rumours, that although the shower scene is graphic in its construction, the knife never enters the flesh of the subject. Although, detailed frame analysis demonstrates that the subject is penetrated by the knife, although a prosthetic prop is incorporated in the shot. This is interesting concept, the knife entering is recognized as subliminal and the quick pace of the shots actually makes the audience believe that wounds have been inflicted, something which could possible integrated into our film.

The entire shower scene through stills can be seen here;http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/pages/stills/shower-1.html

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