Thriller 1- Psycho Alfred Hitchcock

Camera- Steady Shot purely of the graphics camera does not pan or move throughout the opening. This simplistic graphic theme is used regularly by Hitchcock in other films such as

Editing- The graphic sequence is boldly monochromatic, bold black background and white text which emphases the contrast. In the graphic, the use of vertical and horizontal grey line entering from screen right, left and top and bottom which split the text on screen.  In the opening of Psycho, it begins with a black screen and then turns grey it is then split by animated parallel black lines which enter from the right hand side of the screen.  The text then enters not fully formed and unrecognisable parts of letters enter the screen from the right hand side in white.  Animated grey lines continue until the screen is black, leaving ‘Alfred Hitchcock’ name in stark contrast.  Grey block lines vertically leave the screen the lettering of ‘Psycho’ enters from right and left with the middle part of the lettering missing making it difficult and unclear to read.  The middle part of the lettering then comes in from the left making the title readable, black background stark white text ‘Psycho.’  The use of the lines splitting letters for the Director’s name and film title greatly emphasises the subject matter which is ‘Psycho’ – a split personality.  Then the use of vertical and horizontal lines are repeated throughout the title sequence.  This is a simple effective and contrasting technique reinforcing the point.  The Graphic Designer who designed the title sequence for Psycho was Saul Bass who worked with Hitchcock on many occasions. 

Sound-   The music enters straight away composed in a stabbing, staccato (short detached notes) strings.  This is a dramatic, harsh violent piece which connotes the split nature/violence of the protagonist.  Towards the middle of the opening title the music briefly changes to a legato articulation (smooth, flowing.)  The music compliments and graphics in the title sequence.  The music emphasis tension, drama, suspense and fear with a feeling of foreboding and sinister mood being played out in the opening title sequence.   

Mis-en-scene -   Graphics are shown refer to editing paragraph (as above.)

Psycho- Alfred Hitchcock  (Orignal in black and white)

What is Thriller?

Thriller and Suspense Films: These are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations, with similar characteristics and features.


If the genre is to be defined strictly, a genuine thriller is a film that rentlessly pursues a single-minded goal - to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax. The tension usually arises when the main character(s) is placed in a menacing situation or mystery, or an escape or dangerous mission from which escape seems impossible. Life itself is threatened, usually because the principal character is unsuspecting or unknowingly involved in a dangerous or potentially deadly situation. Plots of thrillers involve characters which come into conflict with each other or with outside forces - the menace is sometimes abstract or shadowy.


This information was gathered from http://www.filmsite.org/thrillerfilms.html 


What have Learnt from this Research?

I have researched 'What Thrillers are?' this is important that I understand the codes of the Thriller genre. From this Research I have learnt what thrillers and suspence films are and the characteritics of the Thriller Genre. This have given me ideas for what my group needs to include in this opening of a Thriller film that we are making, and how we can make sure it is in the thriller genre,which is very important when making our film.

Thriller Research- Genre

Genre :  The concept of Genre:

- A set of conventions - recognisable usually through iconography, familiar narrative, mise-en-scene, actors and style of representation

- Genres are not static, but constantly renegotiated between industry and audience - a combination of familiar reassurance and new twists.

- A creative strategy used by film producers to ensure audience identification with a film - a mean of trying to predict risk.

- Genre functions like a language - a set of rules and a vocabulary with which to organise meaning.

- Genre is a way of working through important myths and fears by repetition, variation and resolution

- Genre offers comforting reassurance in an uncomfortable world. Threat is quashed, outlaws become civilized, and gangsters are punished. Genre is a way of tidying up the mess of life.

- Robert Altman believes that genre is defined in terms of certain signs (iconography)

- Iconography- “Those particular signs that we associate with particular genres- a pattern of visual elements common to genre.” These signs are usually found in the mis-en-scene of a text. For Example Horror Young girls ‘Normal’ setting, use of high and low lighting blood and knifes .ect.

- Hybridisation- Means the coming together of two or more different genres to create a new genre, such as romantic comedy.  As well as hybrid genres there are sub genres to main stream genres for example horror- Gothic Horror.

Thrillers are often hybrids - there are lots of varieties of suspense-thrillers:

-action- or adventure- thrillers

-sci-fi thrillers (such as Alien (1979))

-crime-caper thrillers (such as The French Connection (1971))

-western-thrillers (such as High Noon (1952))

-film-noir thrillers (such as Double Indemnity (1944))

-even romantic comedy-thrillers (such as Safety Last (1923))

-Genre Theorists: Schartz and Wright

These Theorists look at genre in a compartmentalised way, thus no over with specific ways of indentifying the genre.

-Regenrification-  When the boundaries of genre are merged together.

 Codes and Conventions of the Thriller Genre:

Lighting- Dark, spotlights on individuals, varied lighting i.e. dark and light, Film Noir.

Music- Builds up tension, dramatic, fast paced, create an atmosphere, dialogue.

Camera Work – Tracking and pan shots, zoom in and out during action scenes, variety of long and short shots. Close Ups, Bird eye view and worm eye view. Use of high and low angles to place interest and understand characters.

Editing- Jump cut, Quick cutting rate due to multiple things happening, jump cuts fill us in on the story line.

Method Used- Ransoms, captives, heists, revenge, kidnappings etc

Other conventions- Plot twists, Red Herrings, Cliff hangers.

Moods- Adrenaline rush, high levels of anticipation, anxiety, terror, expectation, builds to a climax (keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film.)