Blog #3: Editing Analysis
I decided to analyze the popular shower scene from
the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock classic, Psycho. In this scene the character,
Marion (played by Janet Leigh, the late mother of Jamie Lee Curtis) is taking a
shower in her motel room and is suddenly stabbed to death by “Mother”. The
scene consists of roughly between 40 to 50 shots. The shots of Marion entering
the shower, in the shower, and the shots of her as she slowly dies lasts 6 to
15 secs before each cut. The shots of "Mother" stabbing Marion lasts
2 to 3 secs before each cut. This scene was shot using high key lighting which
consists of the removal of the shadows casted by the key light resulting in a
fairly bright image. The use of high key lighting is mostly common in comedies
and usually uncommon in horror films. This scene consists of a combination of
close shots (medium and extreme close ups). We are introduced to a two shot
when the bathroom door slowly opens and the dark silhouette of “Mother”
appears. As “Mother” reaches the curtain and opens it, the camera zooms to a
mid-shot of “Mother” holding a kitchen knife. The use of a backlight on
"Mother" keeps the identity of "her" a mystery. The scene
opens up with a lack of sound. The constant sound being heard is the running
water coming from the shower head. The water drowns out the noise of the door
opening and the dark figure approaching her.
The tension of the scene begins to intensify when
we hear the high pitched screeching as the knife plunges into the flesh of
Marion. The high pitch screeching is an example of non-diegetic sound because
it’s occurring outside of the film world. The slashing sound is an example of
an folly. The combining of separate shots or fragments of "Mother"
stabbing Marion and Marion's reaction of the stabbing is known as the
juxtaposition. The extreme close up of Marion's mouth as she screams emphasizes
her pain and suffering at that exact moment. The juxtaposition in this scene
emphasizes the Kuleshov Effect. The shot of her blood in the water as it flows
down the tub and entering the drain implies the ending of her life. As the
blood enters the drain there is a quick dissolve with a shot of Marion's eye as
it slowly pans out on her face and body which lays lifeless. This scene of the
film changes the overall tone because it was unusual for the female lead to be
killed off in the first 40 minutes. This film made taking a shower scary and
preyed on our vulnerability while in private spaces. This scene also has become
so popular over the years it has been referenced in a number of films, TV
shows, and music videos.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtDmbr9xyY
