Who Is Alfred Hitchcock Voyeurism
Sir Alfred Hitchcock is recognised amongst the most pioneering and renowned directors in the history of cinema. His unique approach to his cinematographic style was iconic and influential in the progression of modern film. Hitchcock’s works are deeply rooted in the elements of German Expressionism and the subsequent inspired Film Noir genre. The film movement, mostly prevalent in the 1920s, largely reflected the dismal reality of life during the era and often invoked distorted and abstract images, as opposed to naturalism. Hitchcock used these distinguishable techniques, such as the use of abstract sets, oblique camera angles and stark shadows and silhouettes to enhance a sense of fear and instability in his own films. Undeniably, Hitchcock’s …show more content…
His trademark employment of voyeurism was a part of his means of breaking down standard cinematic trends and achieving a much higher form of storytelling. A classic example of this occurs in Psycho when Norman spies on Marion as she undresses for her shower. The audience views Norman remove a painting from the wall, to reveal a convenient peephole. The camera then, quite literally becomes the extension of the eye of the viewer and character, as it focuses to a subjective shot, luring both into the deadly act of voyeurism. It is not until the sequence cuts to an extreme close up of Norman’s reaction, that the audience realises it has been placed in the viewpoint of the villain. Hitchcock deliberately uses this technique to blur the moral distinction between the innocent and the guilty. This is a fantastic move at crafting tension as it becomes an indictment of the viewer’s capacity for voyeurism and Norman’s own potential for depravity. From this unseemly action, the viewer is placed in a position in which they become personally engaged with the characters on screen. Moreover, Hitchcock evokes an emotional response from his viewers by the very act of
Feminist Representation Of The Blonde In Vertigo, By Alfred Hitchcock
1739 Words | 7 PagesSecond, I investigate the cinematic techniques Alfred Hitchcock utilised in order to create the seeming superficiality of his blonde protagonists. My claim is that through this framing the male protagonists and the spectators are misdirected about the blonde’s passivity. Finally, in order to argue this case, I will discuss how the superficial masquerades of the blondes Lisa Carol
The American Nightmare Analysis
2010 Words | 9 PagesThe distinguishing of the progressive horror wave from other horror movies (which can be seen as the alternativeness) is completed by the actions of their creators and the innovation they bring to the time’s cinematography (which makes them autonomous) and by the themes represented in a innovative way (making them authentic). Wood succinctly describes it by comparing it in opposition to a Hollywood horror movie by words such as low budget, unpolished, non-bourgeois exploitation, bad family, traditional values negated, and, what is the most important, parent figures destroy
The Use Of Suspense In Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
425 Words | 2 PagesAlfred Hitchcock successfully performs suspense and shock in a number of ways. One way was when he reveals that the cop is following her, making us think that he found out concerning the money she stole. Another way is when we see Norman staring through the hole, examining her as if he is waiting to make his move. The last technique that Hitchcock constructed suspense is when we identify a shadowy character gazing at her take a shower, making us wonder who it could
Nightmares In Red, White And Blue: The Evolution Of The American Horror Film
957 Words | 4 PagesShort Essay Two: Visual Argument Essay on the Documentary Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film, directed by Andrew Monument, is a documentary that shows viewers the history of horror films. It goes from the first silent horror films to the first decade of the 21st century to explain the popularity of the genre. Monument argues that the major purpose of the horror genre is not only to entertain and make money, but also to reveal man’s deepest fears from specific American cultural time periods. The use of narration, directors’ and film historians’ commentaries, and the choice of film clips, effectively make Monument’s argument. Monument uses narration to his advantage during Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue to mirror the narration that would be found in a horror film.
Continuity Editing In Alfred Hitchcock's North By Northwest
1445 Words | 6 PagesIn 1959, Alfred Hitchcock released yet another adrenaline filled action blockbuster, North by Northwest. The renowned auteur displayed his minimalist style, captivating his audience with creative visuals and suspense ridden scenes. Hitchcock’s unique visual style earned the rightful title of Hitchcockian (Palmer, 2009). Since the eminent director passed in 1980 (Biography.com, 2016), fellow aspiring film students have mimicked the Hitchcockian style but were unsuccessful in doing so. Alfred’s classic movies have become a platform for other works throughout the years.
Hitchcock Production Code Essay
848 Words | 4 PagesHitchcock used cinematic techniques such as cinematography, sound design and character to create a sense of fear and guilt leading to psychosis. Before restrictions were placed on cinema, many instances of scandals in Hollywood caused a bit of an uprising from the people asking for more decency, which caused in early 1930 most motion picture studios in the United States to apply what was called the “Production Code” or also known as the “Hays Code”. The Code was "designed to require motion pictures to reflect, respect, and promote the institutions and moral values of the American middle class"(pg 467), and if wasn't followed, it was expected not to do well in box offices. Whereas Hitchcock had other ideas.
Rear Window Mise En Scene Analysis
657 Words | 3 PagesEven though Hitchcock used these techniques in completely different ways, the end result for both was a timeless, suspenseful
Psychological Themes In Alfred Hitchcock's Horror Film Psycho
774 Words | 4 PagesThese were explored by the use of the motifs of birds, eyes, hands and mirrors (Filmsite.org, n.d.). Hitchcock skilfully guides the audiences through a tale
Motifs In Alfred Hitchcock's Film Strangers On A Train
1043 Words | 5 PagesThis paper will discuss the motif of the double in Strangers on a Train. While the double is a recurring motif in Hitchcock’s work that he routinely employs in order to explore questions of moral responsibility, identity, and guilt, it receives its most overt and thorough treatment in Strangers on a Train. Studies of the film have consistently understood Bruno as a stand in for Guy’s unspoken desire, the chaos held at bay by societal order - Guy does indeed want to ‘get rid of’ his wife, but he transfers this responsibility (and associated guilt) to Bruno (Walker; Wood; Dellolio; Truffaut). As Walker notes, in Hitchcock’s films, the double most often serves as an ‘alter ego’ that enacts the repressed/disavowed/unpermitted desires of another character. Indeed, as Walker points out, There is little ambiguity that this is precisely what Hitchcock meant to communicate in the film, as he has formally stated this in correspondence with Francois Truffaut:
Hitchcock's Use Of Mise-En-Scene In Film
1506 Words | 7 PagesTo the unknown eye, Hitchcock has carefully and skillfully used Mise-en-scene to his advantage, causing the audience to feel fear and a sense of caution towards the character of Norman Bates. It isn’t until we reflect back on the scene and notice how intelligently Hitchcock uses the positioning of props and the characters, lighting, camera angle and staging, that we notice how he has added meaning to his characters but has also to the film, creating suspense and fear from one scene to the end of the film. Ultimately proving the point that Hitchcock “the master of suspense” uses Mise-en-scene to not only help make a brilliant film but also uses it as his disposal to add meaning in his
Alfred Hitchcock's Use Of Suspense In The 39 Steps
856 Words | 4 PagesAfter watching The 39 Steps (1935), I realized that Alfred Hitchcock really did have a talent for establishing suspense through films. Even though suspense was the primary focus, Hitchcock managed to effectively and intelligently mix humor, romance, and thriller. He uses a variety of techniques to convey these feelings to the audience. According, to some of his interviews with Francois Truffaut, Hitchcock mentions his love for The 39 Steps, specifically about the techniques he uses to create a bewitching experience throughout the film. In this film, he uses a variety of themes that he continued to constantly use throughout his later films.
German Expressionism In Weimar Cinema
1068 Words | 5 PagesOver the fifteen weeks of the first semester of film school, we were taught many interesting types and styles of early world cinema which were extremely informative and influenced the filmmaking style of the whole class and made us better filmmakers instantly. One such ‘ism’ which inspired me the most was German Expressionism which is a unique characteristic of Weimar Cinema. In this essay I am going to talk about the history of this ‘ism’, its impact on cinema, some significant works and how it inspired me and influenced my filmmaking style. German Expressionism is one of the earliest artistic genres to influence filmmaking, and one that ostensibly prepared for some other cutting edge artistic styles and techniques. It is an artistic genre
Essay On Rear Window
934 Words | 4 PagesShe argues that the act of moviegoing satisfies these voyeuristic desires in people. She writes, “The mass of mainstream film portray a hermetically sealed world which unwinds magically, indifferent to the presence of the audience, producing for them a sense of separation and playing on their voyeuristic fantasy,” (pg. 186). In this essay, I will further discuss her viewpoints on cinema and voyeurism, and how it connects to the film Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock. Rear Window is a film that follows the
Examples Of Voyeurism In Rear Window
1577 Words | 7 PagesIn this way, Hitchcock enables viewers to look into their “secret [and] private worlds” while Jeff sleeps. This purposeful approach presents the auteur’s argument that voyeurism is an unavoidable manifestation of human nature. The debate Hitchcock presents to viewers is whether “there’s no harm in looking”. As the panning shot glides through the village apartments in the opening sequence, showcasing each screen-like apartment, such as the one of Miss Torso, frolicking in her underwear to engross audiences in “Peeping tom” behaviour, setting the foundation for audiences to resonate with Jeff’s desire to “to find out what's the matter with the salesman's wife” later in the film. Alongside Jeff, the viewer looks through Jeff’s rear window with an expectation of entertainment.
German Expressionism In Metropolis
754 Words | 4 PagesGerman Expressionism has influenced thousands of films and filmmakers since the art movement began in the 1920’s. It is known for its dismissal of the standard conventions of Western filmmaking for a more off-kilter style of storytelling. Some film historians consider Metropolis (1927) to be one of the most groundbreaking German Expressionist films ever made. However, there are many instances throughout Metropolis in which it deviates from the eccentric Expressionist style. There are many obvious occurrences of expressionism during Metropolis, for example the opening machine sequence, but conventional Western techniques are also common in the film.
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