Sunday, January 26, 2014

In the movie Psycho "the shower scene" what style of editing, shots and visual transitions are used?

One of the most famous scenes in cinematic history, the
shower scene is a work of cinematic art, which in some ways symbolizes the previous
thoughts and activities of Janet Leigh's character in Psycho, Marion Crane.   For
instance, prior to getting into the shower, Marion has decided that like Norman Bates,
she, too, is trapped by her criminal act of embezzlement.  So, she makes notes on how
she can repay what she has already spent and resolves to return the money the next day. 
With this resolve, she flushes her notes in the toilet and goes to the bathroom to
shower and cleanse herself.  The shower scene, of course, is pivotal to the horror of
the film.  The scene was shot from 77 different angles, and the staccato close-ups are
unnerving and considered more "subjective" than if they had been images presented
separately or with a wider angled shot.


At the beginning of
the scene and at the end, the shower head is shot from a long lens camera.  With the
first shot, the water rushing from the shower head seems to connote Marion's fresh
resolve to return the money and cleanse her life of crime.  After she is slain, the shot
of the pouring shower head suggests the literal pouring of her blood down the drain and
the washing away of her plans. The close up shot of her eye suggests her realization of
this end.


Regarding the film editing, framed shots are used
and are assembled in a staccato pattern to make the death scene.  Sound and shadows act
as transitions between the montage of visual scenes. 

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