Well known for utilizing his artistic visual talents, Alfred Hitchcock was a bold creator of films in which mainly focused on the imagery aspect rather than what can be perceived through sound. Within the era of silent films, Hitchcock was considered to be a master when it came to the various techniques of this time period which consisted of lighting, framing and composition. Through the usage of these components, Hitchcock executed them in a way that would enhance the emotional countenance of a film. However, as time went by and the film industry progressed throughout the years, the significance of visual importance soon deteriorated on account of the introduction to sound, that of which Hitchcock ungratefully opposed. Some of these film institutions that began to incorporate sound were film productions and companies commonly known as Warner Brothers Studios, MGM, Universal Studios and so on. "Although Hitchcock began making sound films in 1929, he cordially despised the laziness to which this tempted directors and writers. Most films, once they could rely on the microphone, became what he called 'pictures of people talking'" (461). Considering silent films were of greater precedence to Hitchcock, he highly relied on his cameras to do all the talking with its dynamic movements and subtle pans. Unlike other directors who heavily depended on their actors and actresses to put on an excellent performance, Hitchcock uniquely in a sense treated his actors and actresses as if they were puppets. He was one of the first directors to take full control of their productions in a studio. Te best exemplify this, Hitchcock made the daring decision to individually produce his renowned film
Psycho (1960) using his film crew from the t.v. series he created prior to this film as well as fund it using under one million dollars. "It was not mere nostalgia that kept Hitchcock making films as he had in the silent era" (461). Although having colored films already being established, Hitchcock felt it more reasonable to create
Psycho in black in white, not only to save money, but to also take on the opportunity to conceal the gore this film had. Doing so highly affected censorship laws in which pertained to the films of this time period, further bringing out the political aspect of this era.
As
Psycho was released in 1960, the rise of the slasher genre began to flourish and immensely gain recognition, putting Hitchcock at a state in which he can be considered to be the founding father of this particular sub-genre. Considered as the origin to all slashers, Hitchcock's
Psycho was a breakthrough within the film industry putting many influences amongst other directors, producers screenwriters etc. "So fruitful was he that a single film could spawn an entire genre, as Psycho helped create the modern horror film..." (458). Hitchcock created this movie in a way whereas the effect it had on his audience changed the way people primarily looked at murder mysteries. Despite the amount of people killed within the film, the way it was executed and presented was the essential component in evolving and developing the story line's plot. Many questions and ideas were eventually evoked as the movie progresses based on characters and the killer. Who was the true main character and who was the actual killer? As the film starts and goes on for a while it seems quite evident on who the main character is which is Marion Crane, but about a third of the way into the film Hitchcock kills her off, further causing a plethora of questions on who the real main character is. Hitchcock does the same with the killer. He incorporates many clues and subtle hints that if which are embedded into the plot to lead the audience into thinking they already know who the killer is. But little did they know, Hitchcock throws in an unexpected twist in the ending. To the audience it may seem as if Mrs. Bates, mother of Norman Bates, was the suspected killer, but it turns out that she is nothing but a decayed corpse living in the Bates household as a decoy of some sorts. Although there was never physically a real Mrs. Bates in the final film, Hitchcock went to certain extents to create the illusion that there were people auditioning to play her in the movie. He even sent out a casting call as well as place an actor's chair out during production with "MRS. BATES" written on it to create the illusion that she was real. Hitchcock had a way of getting into people's minds in a way that creates suspense and anxiety but all of a sudden takes things into a whole new direction. This here would evidently lead to the psychological-thriller aspect of
Psycho.
As Psycho was released in 1960, the rise of the slasher genre began to flourish and immensely gain recognition, putting Hitchcock at a state in which he can be considered to be the founding father of this particular sub-genre. Considered as the origin to all slashers, Hitchcock's Psycho was a breakthrough within the film industry putting many influences amongst other directors, producers screenwriters etc. "So fruitful was he that a single film could spawn an entire genre, as Psycho helped create the modern horror film..." (458). Hitchcock created this movie in a way whereas the effect it had on his audience changed the way people primarily looked at murder mysteries. Despite the amount of people killed within the film, the way it was executed and presented was the essential component in evolving and developing the story line's plot. Many questions and ideas were eventually evoked as the movie progresses based on characters and the killer. Who was the true main character and who was the actual killer? As the film starts and goes on for a while it seems quite evident on who the main character is which is Marion Crane, but about a third of the way into the film Hitchcock kills her off, further causing a plethora of questions on who the real main character is. Hitchcock does the same with the killer. He incorporates many clues and subtle hints that if which are embedded into the plot to lead the audience into thinking they already know who the killer is. But little did they know, Hitchcock throws in an unexpected twist in the ending. To the audience it may seem as if Mrs. Bates, mother of Norman Bates, was the suspected killer, but it turns out that she is nothing but a decayed corpse living in the Bates household as a decoy of some sorts. Although there was never physically a real Mrs. Bates in the final film, Hitchcock went to certain extents to create the illusion that there were people auditioning to play her in the movie. He even sent out a casting call as well as place an actor's chair out during production with "MRS. BATES" written on it to create the illusion that she was real. Hitchcock had a way of getting into people's minds in a way that creates suspense and anxiety but all of a sudden takes things into a whole new direction. This here would evidently lead to the psychological-thriller aspect of Psycho.
No comments:
Post a Comment