My code and convections essay on Vertigo

1. Vertigo is a famous use of motifs and intriguing plot which make the film both interesting and
complexion leaving many still guessing at the end though It was not well received at the time
(critical and commercial fizzle in 1958 is infamous) it shows many codes and convection in it that
make it a great for students. Some of the codes and convection that the play conveys very well
are symbolism of main themes, useful mes on scene that portrays characters, the use of effective
lighting, and the re occurrence of motifs.
Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, it is used in plays to give hints to
the audience that allows them to predict the progression of a story and character and to show real
life themes subliminal through character actions and dialog. This can be used effectively to make
the audience believe that the film will progress in one way then when the twist occurs it will have
a greater effect on them, this is used in Vertigo when Scottie convince the Madeleine is dead, and
also when he normally speaks to her we see him at a high angle which shows how men were
seen to be very dominate at the time.
Mes on scene is the use of specific items or action which are used to emphasis a scene, it is
used to effectively portray characters through uses of actions and clothes and make them stand
out (or blend in) scenes, in the film Vertigo this is used in when Scotty is following Madeleine in
the bar, we see her wearing a green dress which makes her stand out from the rest of the people
in the scene and focuses the audiences attention.
Lighting can is used in filming to effect the environment in which the characters are in, and make
portray characters in different ways. It can make character be bathed in darkness to hided there
identity or shows there villainies or it could be at a beach where the characters would need to be
bathed in sun. In the film Vertigo Scottie and Madeleine are alone together in a hall, he is bathed
in darkness in the shadow which shows how he as following her and she is bathed in light to
show her “innocence” at the time.
Motifs are a dominant or recurring idea in a film, that is conveyed by symbolism and other film
convictions. In the film Vertigo a recurring idea that helped to further the understanding of Scott
was “Sanity”, this idea of how Scotty was in some way deranged made the film more ambiguous
and helped to develop the the story in a intriguing way. The film did not only stick to motifs that
were relatable to the story but also had motifs that stretched out into real world issues, one of
these was the dominance of the male gender which at the time (an even now) was a current
issue. The film used camera angles such as high angle and low angle to position the woman in a
lesser level, this is also shown in the script of the film in how the woman cant seem to get by with
out a man.
The film Vertigo uses many film codes and convection to portray characters in certain way so that
development of the character is more interesting and intrigues the audience getting emotional
invested in the character. They also use these codes and convection’s to convey themes and
ideas across to the audience which develop the plot and create emotional response from the
audience. The film Vertigo is great at portraying characters and themes making the vision that the
director had come to life in the film and make the audience understand the way that the character
feel and the reasons they act the way that they do.