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Vertigo opening
- 1. Vertigo (1958: Hitchcock, Alfred) The Opening Sequence
- 2. • The purpose of an opening title sequence is to establish the mood and visual character of a film, to introduce the viewer to all or some of the following elements: • Characters • Locations • Narrative/Plot • Themes • Visual style • Genre
- 3. • The opening sequence is in two parts • Part One is a mixture of live action and graphics, which were designed by Saul Bass, it introduces the character of Madeleine, played by Kim Novak • Part Two is live action, it is the beginning of the narrative of the film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It introduces John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson, played by James Stewart.
- 4. Part One - Live action & graphics • Designed by Saul Bass • He is considered by many to be a pioneer of modern title design • Bass’ style was unique and iconic
- 5. • Her lips twitch nervously, introducing anxiety and a close examination of the character’s physical appearance as integral themes.
- 6. • The female character is clearly on edge and not comfortable with the viewers scrutiny • This scene introduces some more key conventions of the thriller genre: anxiety, paranoia and the notion of looking. • Being watched and being seen watching someone else are also conventions of thrillers
- 7. • A shift in the mood – linked to the score • Introduction of theme of identity • Confirms the sub-genre of the film
- 8. • The theme of unstable identity and the internal workings of the mind • These are central to the narrative of Vertigo
- 9. • A visual metaphor for the complex layers of a person’s identity, for Madeleine’s hairstyle, for dizziness and for falling • The series of graphical geometric shapes appear to come from a distance and then fill the screen, when one disappears another takes its place
- 10. Part Two – Live Action • Introduces the character of James ‘Scottie’ Ferguson and his fatal flaw • Also introduces the location – San Francisco • Scottie’s vertigo disempowers him and is used by the antagonist to draw him into the concealment of a terrible crime
- 11. • The opening sequence of Vertigo sets up an atmosphere of anxiety and very importantly of suspense, as one of the central characters is literally left suspended in mid- air. • The chase sequence ends with Scottie being left suspended at a great height with a fear of impending doom and a realisation that he is powerless.
- 12. • The score was composed by Bernard Herrman • “Hitchcock's film is about obsession, which means that it's about circling back to the same moment, again and again ... And the music is also built around spirals and circles, fulfilment and despair. Herrmann really understood what Hitchcock was going for — he wanted to penetrate to the heart of obsession.” Martin Scorcese (Sight & Sound, Sept 04)
- 13. • Scorsese also said that the opening title sequence successfully set the mood of the overall film, as well as the visual style. • It introduces themes of suspense, identity and obsession • It introduces the use of generic conventions such as: • Vulnerable female • Objectification of women • A flawed male lead • Themes of voyeurism • Notions of looking • A mise en scene that echoes the characters state of mind
Editor's Notes
- It is important to be aware of the function of an opening title sequence, especially because your second practical coursework project will be to construct an opening title sequence.
- I intend to focus on each section in turn and discuss the unique and iconic way in which they are a classic opening to a thriller.
- He has worked on many iconic films including Cape Fear and Psycho, to name just a couple. He was originally working in advertising but a move to working on film publicity materials was the beginning of his work in film. Prior to Bass the approach to promotional art usually consisted of brightly coloured photographs of the stars but Saul Bass preferred the use of dramatic abstract images, deceptively simple drawings and broken type, all designed to give an impression of the story. Saul Bass understood the importance of the first moments of a film.
- The title sequence focuses on the physical appearance and beauty of Kim Novak, this is introduced at the beginning of the film and is a theme that runs throughout the narrative as James Stewarts character becomes increasingly obsessed by the image of Madeleine. The use of close-ups to frame the details of the physical features of the character played by Kim Novak is a feature of the cinematography that is used throughout the film, it mirrors the obsession that James Stewart’s character develops. It also introduces the theme of objectifying women and also of voyeurism.
- The music changes and becomes more mysterious and discordant. The screen becomes stained with red and this illustrates a change in focus from examining the external signs of identity, such as facial features and moving on to focus on the internal working of the mind, illustrated by the camera movement through the pupil and the first appearance of the graphical geometrical images. The theme of unstable identity is central to the narrative of Vertigo. The imagery of the pupil and the geometric spirals also communicates the sub-genre of the film, it is a psychological thriller.
- The spiral shapes also connote the psychological workings of the mind and they mirror the character of Madeleine’s hairstyle, which is revealed as an important narrative device later on in the film. The animated spirals of Bass’ title designs create an effect of dizziness at the very beginning. The shapes also appear at times to be falling; this is another theme of the narrative.
- Location - The panning shot of the San Fransisco skyline, following the chase across the rooftops, introduces the location and re-enforces the theme of the film. San Fransisco as a place is famous for the huge imposing sight of the Golden Gate bridge and its undulating streets and steep hills are explored fully in the course of the film. It is the perfect setting for a film concerned with the height, being at great heights and the risks involved in being at a great height. Weakness - What is most important in that sequence is the introduction of this hero’s flaw. The character discovers, from this event, that he has acrophobia, he is scared of heights. This fear causes vertigo, dizziness. This is illustrated in the sequence by a camera effect that combines both tracking and zooming in oppositional movements, i.e. a forward zoom and reverse tracking shot, thus mirroring the disorientation experienced by the character.
- Many sections of the music, particularly in the opening sequence are looped to mirror this theme of repetition and obsession with going around in circles to the point of an initial meeting.
- And it does all this in 4 minutes and 44 seconds. A classic example of the opening sequence of a thriller Genius due to its simplicity