Psycho Essay

Psycho – Mise-en-Scene and Cinematography

            In the first image in this scene of Psycho, we see Norman Bates invite Marion into a strange looking room for food. The lower angle mid shot is used to portray Norman as slightly intimidating, without giving the audience too much information about him. In the background of this shot, we can see mounted stuffed birds on the walls. These birds of prey make Norman seem creepy and uneasy, and connotes him as a predator himself as he instructs Marion to sit forcefully.

            The next shot is a two shot, Marion on the left side of the screen, Norman on the right. This image supports the rule of thirds, leaving a large gap between the two, showing the distance in their relationship and the many differences between the newly acquainted pair. The birds can again be seen in the background of this image, yet this time behind Marion. The birds this time seem docile and settled, with their wings down, much unlike they were shown previously, ready to attack. This mirrors Norman’s behaviour, as in this image he appears to be sitting contently, watching Marion’s every move.

            Next we see Marion eating, looking much more comfortable then before. However, Marion is still kept to the left of the scene, suggesting her vulnerability. This mid shot again includes the birds, still appearing calm, just like the current atmosphere of this scene. At this point, Norman directly refers to Marion as a bird, telling her she eats like one. This puts Marion in the place of the birds, which Norman has killed and stuffed, connoting that Norman is singling Marion out as his next victim.

            The next shot is again a mid shot, keeping the mood of the scene seeming ordinary, as if this were a conversation between friends and nothing more sinister. However, Normans face is half covered in shadow at this point, showing that there could be another darker side to his personality that remains undiscovered.

            The next shot shows Norman touching the birds, from a slightly low angle shot. The scene is shot this way to keep Norman seeming slightly intimidating and threatening towards Marion. In this shot Norman tells Marion that his mother is his best friend. This shows how lonely he is, and demonstrates his instability and inability to cope without his mother. In this image Normans shadow is also very prominent, compared to Marion who has no shadow at all. This could represent the other side to Norman’s personality.

            In the next shot, Norman’s personality changes dramatically. The camera is at a very low angle, looking right up at him, focused only on the shadowed side of his face. This represents the change in Norman’s personality, showing his darker side. Norman looks threatening in this shot, appearing to have a predacious watch over Marion, symbolised by the bird of prey, looming and ready to attack, in the background.

            Norman’s strange side continues to show in the next shot, when he leans forward towards Marion and the camera. This gives the impression that Marion is trapped by Norman, and he is getting a little too close for comfort. The rule of thirds applies here, with Normans face taking the middle of the shot, and his eyes and mouth on line with the horizontal sections of the frame. This is used to show his emotions in the shot, or lack of seemingly. Another bird is seen in the background of the scene, looking more like a birds prey than a predator. This symbolises Marion in the situation.

            The next shot is a mid shot of Marion, leaning backwards and to the left of the frame. This could be to try to distance herself from Norman, as she seems startled by his behaviour. The close frame again traps Marion, reminding the viewers that Marion is the prey here. Another reference to the on-going lexical field of birds is made, saying that humans “cluck their tongues”. This again puts humans in the place of birds and in the place of Norman’s prey.

            The next shot shows Marion retake control of the situation, by standing up and leaving. This is shot from a low angle, making Marion seem strong. This is also represented by Norman’s position in the next shot. This is shot from a high angle, and Norman once again returns to looking timid in his other, more vulnerable state of mind.