Blog Entry # 2

The scene I chose is from Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho. I chose this sequence because I think that it has a lot to offer in terms of learning about editing and technique. This is a pivotal scene in terms of the narrative of the film. Marion is murdered in this scene, and the remainder of the film explores who killed her and why. The sound-image relationship in this scene is between the music and creating a mood in the viewer. The soundtrack is comprised of the music, the woman's voice, and the sound of the water running. In the beginning of the scene, the sound of the shower creates a feeling of normality in the viewer. It is implied that there is nothing to worry about and she can finally cleanse herself both physically and metaphorically. However, as she is in the midst of showering, this calm scene is disrupted by the pulling back of the curtain by a menacing shadowed figure. To highlight this and set the tone of fear, the sound becomes that of high-pitched fragmented music. This captures the mental state of the murderer. The only other sound is that of the victim's screaming. Throughout this, the sound of the water is consistent to highlight the setting of the murder. The music follows her struggle and attempt to push the murderer away. This is heard and seen simultaneously in the moments of her death. As she slumps against the bathroom wall, the music slows down and becomes jagged, mimicking her last heavy breaths. As she pulls the curtain, the music finally stops and we hear the tinkling of the curtain being ripped from the metal rings. There is silence in terms of the music. The only sound heard is the rushing of the water. The scene comes full circle with the initial silence layered with water. The image-image relationship is created to impose a tension on the viewer. We are helpless witnesses to this woman's butchering. In the beginning of the scene, the shots are longer. This illustrates her feelings of peace and ecstasy both mentally and physically. When the curtain is pulled back by the murderer, it cuts to a close-up of her mouth. We see the sheer terror in her because of her open screaming mouth. We are placed in her position because of the position of the camera. There is also a high angled shot which captures both of them and this creates a heightened tension. Because of the mystery of the murderer's identity, the images of the shadowed figure and her are blurred. This creates a disorientation and a sense of confusion. The shots of the stabbing motions are edited in brief succession to imitate the rapid and choppy movement of the cutting into flesh. As she is dying, there is a close-up of her hand to illustrate her weakness and the life leaving her. These shots do not have the briskness that the previous ones do because of her dying state. As she is on the bathroom floor, there is an extreme close-up of the shower drain and then a transition into an extreme close-up of her unblinking eye. This is done to create a distinct connection and relationship between the circular qualities in both elements.