The document provides an analysis of the opening scenes of the film Psycho. It discusses how the title and music set expectations of a psychological thriller. The establishing shot shows Phoenix, Arizona and pans to a hotel room with blinds drawn, hinting at something suspicious. A two-shot shows a woman in bed and a man getting dressed, using an ordinary situation to draw in viewers. Camera angles are used to portray the power dynamics between the characters and create sensuality. The woman seems tense about their secret relationship while the man is more relaxed.

1. Psycho
The title of the film itself gives an idea to the audience of the narrative which could be
about somebody who has a psychological problem, the music portrays this as well
this is achieved by the fast paced upbeat rhythm of the soundtrack.
Furthermore it sets the mood which tells the audience its a thriller movie, also the
contrasting white font against black suggests good against bad which could be
another theme throughout the movie. Additionally the jagged transitions between the
opening credits coincide with the theme of the psychological thriller; it could signify
a torn chaotic mind which reflects the main characters state.
The establishing shot is of Phoenix, Arizona which sets the scene for the audience,
also the details of the date and time which could later be significant. The camera then
pans across the city and slowly zooms into a room with the blind down which tells the
audience something suspicious could be going on because it's the middle of the day
and there are blinds down. Afterward the camera zooms into the window and we see
a two-shot of a woman lying on the bed and a man standing up getting dressed. This
is one of Hitchcock's many techniques of using a ordinary situation and turning it
extraordinary, which is how the audience can relate to it.
The light seems to be focused on the woman who shows she is one of the main
characters, and her expression portrays that she admires the man which is standing
before her. The camera is at a low angle which makes him look more powerful. The
theme of voyeurism is used here another thriller convention, and it creates sensuality.
We learn that they are seeing each other in secret which makes the audience want to
know why they are hiding. She seems more tense and worried about their secret
relationship because she gets dressed quickly and is concerned about being late for
work, however he seems more calm and relaxed about it hence his slow time in
getting dressed and sitting down.
The next shot is of a close-up of her face and she seems quite shocked after he
confesses he wants to see her in public and non-diegetic music is added which sounds
romantic, this goes with the current mood. We surprisingly discover that she wants to
marry him which is a sudden change of heart from before.