Psycho

In the Norman and Marion scene of Psycho, Norman leads Marion into the room which establishes his control between the characters. As we enter the room we can see by certain props like the lamp that Norman is a very traditional old fashioned man. The lighting is low key which gives an eerie tone and it gives a feel of Normans dark character. In the first shot he is in very nearly the center of the shot and the frame around him is empty with a lot of space which tells us a lot about Norman and that he is very lonely which connotes sadness. In these first few shows before Marion ‘insults’ his mother we can tell by the camera shots being medium that the conversation isn't very intense, it’s easy and light.

As they talk we see in every shot that Norman is in that there is a bird of prey that he has stuffed. This hints at his weird unnatural personality, that he is always surrounded by death. The rule of thirds comes into effect when both characters are in shot, both characters are at each end of the frame with a large space between them in the center, this shows the space and awkwardness between them. Whilst in this positioning the camera positions us, the audience, closer to Marion to make us feel emotionally closer to the character and to care more.  Marion is sat more in the light whereas Norman is sat awkwardly in the corner ‘lurking’ in the shadows, which really tells us about the juxtaposition of their personalities.

Throughout the first part of the conversation we can tell the conversation is relaxed as Marion is sat facing him and it is a medium shot, which gives her enough room in the frame to not be trapped, its a comfortable medium. Although she is relaxed and comfortable we can still tell by the body language of Norman he is the total opposite. His awkward smile at his stuffed bird shows that he is comfortable and happy with the thought of death that he’s thinking about it at that moment. Especially when he puts his hand on the bird showing he is controlling the death. When he turns to smile at the bird half of his face is hidden in the darkness which represents his hidden darker personality that he has two sides and right now he is in the lighter personality.

As the conversation turns more intense with Marion offending Norman about his mother, the bird of prey ready to pounce comes into the camera shot, this is a signifier for danger and that the sort of ‘hunt’ has begun between Norman and Marion, this is the point where he decides that she is his prey. The small framing and close up of Norman shows the conversation is a lot more intense, but it also tells us about his life, that he is trapped in the life he is telling Marion about, as it comes to the close up he leans in and shuffles uncomfortably which tells us about his awkward personality and also that he’s not sure about what to decide when it comes to Marion’s fate.

When we see Marion after he is made his decision we can see the framing has changed and it is a closer up shot and this tells us that she is getting more and more trapped and less chance of escape. However the conversation turns as she apologizes and the camera turns to a slightly low angle, showing that she has took the power and control of the situation although a stuffed Raven is still in her frame which is a symbol and signifier of death, telling us that there is still a chance of death ready to attack. As the conversation comes to an end the camera turns to a medium shot of Norman and although it is a slightly more relaxed tone than before, he looks very vulnerable and pathetic, also when he is asking for her to stay longer it gives the audience a suspicious feel and makes us realize his decision of her fate.