Psycho

Cinematography & Mise-en-scene analysis

Psycho

 

When Norman enters the room during the first scene, he is seen from a low angle, mid shot. The angle of the camera in this shot makes Norman seem intimidating.  In this shot we see a bird of prey is behind Norman, from the angle we are shown it looks as if the wings are coming out from behind Norman’s head, the bird is in an attack pose which is used to show that Norman is also capable of attacking at any moment. The birds in the room are also a way to show how Norman is surrounded by death. As Norman moves about the room, he turns on a light but he then turns his back on it and walks to a darker part of the room, this shows that Norman is unable to stay in the light and instead leaves it behind to instead be in the darkness.

 

The next shot is of Norman and Marion having a conversation, during this conversation Norman likens Marion to a bird, as Norman likes to stuff and keep dead birds, this comparison is used to foreshadow Norman killing Marion. During this part of the sequence Marion is considerably closer to the audience while Norman is positioned a distance away, this is used to create a bond between Marion and the audience and make them feel closer to her as a person, this will make their reaction to her death later on, more emotional.