How Did Alfred Hitchcock Build Suspense

Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspenseful filmmaking, renowned for his ability to craft tension and keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Through his use of various filmmaking techniques, Hitchcock was able to create a sense of unease and anticipation that permeated his films. This essay will explore these techniques in depth, with specific reference to Rear Window and Psycho. By examining the ways in which Hitchcock employs lighting, camera movement, sound, and character development, we can gain insight into his unique ability to create suspenseful and engaging narratives that continue to captivate audiences to this day.

To begin with, Hitchcock's signature technique for building suspense was the use of camera angles and point of view. By changing and controlling the camera angle and positioning, Hitchcock was able to control what the audience saw and when they saw it, creating a heightened sense of tension throughout the film. In Rear Window, Hitchcock uses a series of close-up shots to show the main character Jeff's reactions as he watches his neighbors all day, creating a sense of voyeurism and intimacy for the audience. And as the film progresses, the camera angles become more varied,

By manipulating the rhythm and pace of a scene, he was able to control the audience's attention and keep them engaged. In Rear Window, for example, Hitchcock uses a slow, deliberate pace in the beginning of the film to establish the setting and characters. However, as the tension builds, the pace quickens, with rapid cuts and edits that create a sense of urgency and danger. Similarly, in Psycho, the famous “shower scene” features a series of quick cuts and edits, interspersed with moments of silence, that create a feeling of disorientation and confusion. By not showing the killer directly, Hitchcock also keeps the audience guessing and fearful, unsure of what's going to happen