Rebecca (1940)

Rebecca (1940)



Director- Alfred Hitchcock

'Rebecca' was Alfred Hitchcock’s first film in the U.S and was made in 1939.

Genre-  Psychological Dramatic Thriller

Cast- Laurence Olivier
          Joan Fontaine
          George Sanders
          Judith Anderson

'Rebecca' starts with the voice of a female saying ''Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.'' This is effective as it gets staight into the story and makes the viewer wonder what she is talking about from the very beggining so keeps them watching.

Despite the story takes place in England, and most of the actors are British, the movie was filmed entirely in California.

'Rebecca' is a gothic romance, and can be reffered to as a story like Cinderella gone wrong. Gothic romances usually have big houses and feature a tragic ending.


A house featured in 'Rebecca'

In this film feelings that Hitchcock wanted the viewer to feel are communicated through images.
For example he could place objects further appart to represtent a larger distance.

MacGuffin

MacGuffin

A MacGuffin is a plot device which is seen as important by the characters but not the audience.  It can be in the form of a goal or desired object or another something that is just being pursued. The MacGuffin is unimportant to the plot but can drive a story line.  The most common type of MacGuffin is an object, person or place. Other MacGuffins may be, victory, glory, survival and money, etc. MacGuffins can be referred to as plot coupons.  

Alfred Hitchcock popularized both the term "MacGuffin" and the technique, in the 1935 film ''The 39 Steps.'' Hitchcock explained the term "MacGuffin" in a 1939 lecture at Columbia University: 

''We have a name in the studio, and we call it the 'MacGuffin'. It is the mechanical element that usually crops up in any story. In crook stories it is almost always the necklace and in spy stories it is most always the papers"

Many of the films we have watched by the Director Alfred Hitchcock use a MacGuffin in the plot.  More recent films don't always use a MacGuffin as much as older films do.

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones (2010)

Director-Peter Jackson

Rated 10/10 Unmissable by the Daily Star

Cast- Mark Wahlberg

         Rachel Weiz

         Susan Sarandon

         Stanley Tucci

         Michael Imperioli

         Saoirse Ronan

Genre- Thriller

Music-Brian Eno

The soundtrack for 'The Lovely Bones'

The non-diegetic soundtrack if very effective as it builds emotion and tension.

The lovely bones' directed by Peter Jackson is said to be one of the best films of 2010. It is about a girls life and everything that came after.  The 14 year old girl Susie Salmon is murdered by one of her unsuspecting neighbors Mr Harvey. After her murder, for a while she believes she is alive but soon discovers that she has died. She also leaves her unfinished life behind and looks back on how things are and what could have been.

The effects in this scene are very effective as well as the camera shots. It gives a creepy, something is going to go wrong feeling. The viewer starts to become very worried for Susie. The silence used is really effective as it makes the viewer watch and listen even closer and the slightest sounds then create more of an effect. Camera angles such of the high angle shot of Susie makes her look small and venerable and the low angle shot makes Mr Harvey look very powerful. The sudden music when she attempts to escape creates a jumpy effect and a shock telling the viewer something bad has happened. The sudden cut at the end leaves the viewer in suspense wondering if she is dead or alive. 

'The Lovely bones'  uses a McGuffin which is Susie's camera roles, her mother and father want to get these developed because of a promise they made her before she died.  However this later gives a hint to the father which leads to him finding her murderer.

There is lots of tension built in the film which frustrates the viewers. This is because the murder is revealed at the beginning and the whole way through we just want him to get found out. The action in 'The Lovely bones' isn't as fast as it is in other thrillers such as in Alfred Hitchcock's films but it is an archetypal thriller in many ways. Such as action, fear, suspense and tension. It also uses effective diegetic and non diegetic sounds.

Welcome Post

As Media Studies

Rebecca Casey As Media Studies Thriller Blog 

For AS Media studies we are working on the thriller genre. We have to blog about different thrillers, the sounds, effects, how the film is effective as a thriller and the camera angles used in different shots and how they are effective. For example, camera angles can suggest different things such as a low angle shot making a person look more powerful. We will also be making short films as a practical task to experiment with different aspects that come in to media such as sound and camera angles and how they are added to films. We will blog about the films we watch which is more based on films directed by Alfred Hitchcok.

 

AS Media Studies-Sound Exercise Evaluation

As Media Studies-Sound Exercise Evaluation

There are different types of sound that can be added to films. These can be either diegetic or non-diegetic, on-screen or off-screen and parallel or contrapuntal sounds. 

Diegetic-Sounds that can be heard by the characters, for example, dialogue, sound effects, music, radio.

Non-diegetic-Sounds that the character cannot hear for example, soundtrack, captions, titles,subtitles 

On-screen- The source of the sound can be seen on the screen.

Off-screen- The source of the sound cannot be seen on the screen. 

Parallel- When the sound matches the action.

Contrapuntal- When the sound does not match the action.

Sound Bridge- This helps to create a smooth transition between one scene to another.

Getting the sound for our film was a hard task. The microphone was not wireless so was hard to get close to the source of the sound without it being seen in the shot. We had to be really quiet whilst capturing our sound as other sounds could be captured that were closer to the microphone. This was also hard and some shots had to be re-done as some sounds interfered with others. 

Our sequence was meant to be very dramatic. It starts of with a phone ringing. This was hard to capture as the microphone had to be placed very close to the phone for the sound to be picked up. The lighting in this shot was also very dull so was hard to fit in with our other shots because of the sudden light change.     

Some of our choices were successful and others were not as the sound in some shots didn't turn out exactly the way we wanted it to. During editing we also had to make a lot of changes and cut out some of the scenes. 

We did capture our sound effectively and managed to keep the microphone out of the shot. Our sound equipment was used effectively but at times we forgot to turn it of whilst we were not using it causing the battery to drain faster, however we managed to get the shots we needed without draining the battery. If we done this exercise again we would have to remember to turn it off during filming.

Non-Digetic sounds are usefull as they can be added after the film has been made. Digetic sounds are harder to capure during filming. They take longer to film as it is harder to get one specific sound if other sounds are interfering.

Psycho

Psycho- Alfred Hitchcock (1960)

Cast- Janet Leigh

          Anthony Perkins

          Vera Miles

          John Gavin

Genre-Horror/Thriller

Psycho is considered one of Alfred Hitchcock's best films. It is also a very well know film by people of many ages, even if they haven't seen it they may have heard of it.

The screenplay is done by Joseph Stefano and is based on 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. Psycho is also inspired by crimes of Wisconsin murderer and the grave robber Ed Gein.  There is currently a series out on television called 'Bates Motel' which is based around the movie 'Psycho'.

Psycho is a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a film set in 1960 in the genre of suspense/horror/thriller. Like many of his films he has succeeded in including lots of suspense, mystery and action. It is a archetypal thriller in many ways. Hitchcock has made sure of this by lots of elements, especially the cuts he has used.





A good example of this is in the shower scene where Vera Miles is stabbed to death:

Vera Miles is the first suspect in Psycho, while she is on the run with $40,000 she gets stopped by a police officer who she then assumes is stalking her so she switches her car. Later on when it starts to get dark and is raining she pulls into Bates Motel. This is where she meets Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) who has an obsession with stuffing birds.  He is not given away as the murderer in this scene as the face is hidden. His mother is used as a red herring as the audience believe she is the one committing the murders. Vera Miles isn't expected to be murdered in Psycho as she is one of the main characters, so it is a shock when she is killed.

Bates Motel, is where Norman Bates, apparently lives with his mother. The viewers later on find out that she is actually dead and he has been dressing up as his mother and killing his victims.  This later on raises suspicion as his mothers headstone is found in the cemetery but his mothers corpse is still in the house.

                  

Norman Bates Mothers corpse, this is revealed as Norman Bates mothers corpse near the end where Janet Leigh goes to the house to search for clues. This scene, directed by Alfred Hitchcock is one of the best scenes as is a big shock to the audience that she is dead. This is unexpected as it seems to be her throughout the film killing her victims.  Norman Bates also appears in this scene where he tries to kill Janet Leigh with a knife.  This is a fast paced scene with lots of action which goes along with the thriller genre.

This is one of the most dramatic scenes in the movie 'Psycho.' In this scene the audience are scared for Janet Leigh as they fear for her life:

Alfred Hitchcock has used a McGuffin which is the $40,000. This is the object that is seen as really special to the characters and helps to drive the plot but is not the most important element to the film.  The main focus in Psycho would not be the money, it would be the murders that Norman Bates commits.

'Psycho uses lots of suspense as the audience suspect Norman Bates as he is the one getting rid of the bodies but he is not revealed until the end as a red herring has been used to lead us to believe that his mother is committing the murders and he is disposing of the bodies.

The film contains a lot of frightening murders and images but there is not a lot of gore because of the year in which it was made.  For example in the shower scene chocolate syrup was used as blood when Vera Miles was getting murdered.  In the year 1960 this would have been very scary as the audience were not used to seeing this type of effect. However in the current time it is not as shocking.

Alfred Hitchcock has used very useful sound effects in this film to build tension. These are usefull as there was not a lot of violence allowed to be shown in that day so actions can be suggested through sound and the way the film is cut. 

Overall the film is sucessful as a thriller as it goes along with the many aspects of the thriller genre.

AS Media Studies - Written Assignment

AS Media Studies - Written Assignment

For our practical assignment we had to use different camera shots in a story line that we made up.  Our story was called "The Protector." We used a non-dietetic soundtrack throughout.

The story was based on trying to protect something, what was being protected was not revealed to the audience, this is to create an effect of suspense and keep the audience wondering what we are searching for. Throughout there are different shots of us trying to find what we are protecting.

We did not include all the listed shot types and camera movements as not all of them fit in with our story-line.   

All our shots were filmed in black and white or at least partially. A long shot has been used in the first scene which then moves into a medium shot. In the second scene a low angle shot is used, in the next two scenes high angled shots have been used.  We have then used a close up shot which moves into a medium shot then lastly a long shot. In this same scene we have used a rolling camera technique with a medium shot going into a long shot. The last shot is a close up of the words "The Protector."

The first shot used was a bury multiple effect. We chose this effect to give a quite creepy look and create a scene of mystery.  We then used a low angled shot and a high angle shot to give the effect of being watched from many angles. A long shot was used in the corridor which then moves to a rolling  shot and ends with a close up shot. This was used to create the effect of something bad happening and the music throughout is meant to build up tension without revealing what happens to the people at the end.

Some of our choices were successful but others were not. We could have used more of a range in the shots to create various effects. The most successful shot would be our rolling shot as it ended up with a nice effect.

Most of our shots were steady by after we re-done them as we didn't manage to get it perfect the first time round and had to cut out some parts where the camera shock a bit.  We did frame each shot appropriately but there could be improvements made as we had trouble filming some scenes so they didn't turn out exactly how we wanted them.  Out high angle shot was one of the hardest to film as we had to hold the camera steady over the stairs and carefully so that we wouldn't drop it.

Overall the most successful and positive part of our short film would be our effects as they worked well with our cuts and helped the film to run more smoothly. Improvements could be made on our film quality as some parts aren't as clear as others.

The Birds 1963

The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock (1963)

 

Writers- Daphne Du Maurier (story)

              Evan Hunter (screenplay)

Stars- Rod Taylor

          Tippi Hedren

          Suzanne Pleshette

Genre- Horror/Thriller

In the film ' The Birds' by Alfred Hitchcock is full of shock and suspense. A wealthy San Francisco socialite Melanie Daniels(Tippi Hedren) pursues a potential boyfriend Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) to a small Northern California town. On her way to San Francisco Bodega Bay where Mitch spends the weekends with his mother Lydia and Younger sister Cathy, Melanie gets attacked by a seagull crossing the bay in a small boat. Things then start to take a turn for the worst as all kinds of birds begin to attack people. As the film progresses the amount of birds that attack increase and become more vicious.

The Fist Attack

Also in 'The Birds' the external threat is from nature which is effective as it is harder for the characters to find a solution for and harder to escape from. In Hitchcock films there is often nowhere to hide just like in 'The Birds' Bodega Bay. The whole film is packed with frequent fast pacing action, lots of drama and suspense which is typical of a Alfred Hitchcock film and most thrillers.

Alfred Hitchcock talks about how mankind abused birds throughout history. For example using their feathers for hat decorations and stealing their eggs.

This could have given him the ideas for the film 'The Birds' as it could be seen as them seeking revenge on mankind.

"A thriller is a villain driven plot whereby obstacles are presented which the hero must overcome"

This is true in the birds as the birds can be seen as the villains which create an obstacle throughout with the constant attacks. The characters must then try and overcome this.

Dramatic irony is used in the school yard scene when the birds are seen building up behind Melanie (Tippie Hedren) and she is unaware of this but the viewers are.  This scene creates a lot of tension as the viewer is worried for her and as more and more birds show up, there is a big build up to the moment when she finally notices the birds.  Also in this scene there is a contrast between innocence and evil as a child's song is played along with the evil nature (the birds).

Alfred Hitchcock also uses deliberate irony in the cafe scene where there is a 'bird loving lady' and another character orders southern fried chicken.

In the 'cafe scene' where the birds attack there is a very high camera angle. This can be described as "The gaze of a pitiless god who cannot be bothered to intervene". It also suggests something that is above everybody and everything else.

'The Birds' uses usual evasions as the characters are denied science and religion, they are on their own. This creates a scary thought as there is no extra help for them.

In 'The Birds'  there does not seem to be a use of a MacGuffin, but Tippie Hendren can be seen as a MacGuffin as Rod Taylor puts his life at risk to protect her.

Hitchcock said he wanted viewers "to put their toe in the cold water of fear to see what it's like", which he has succeeded at by using elements of a thriller successfully, the fast paced action, dramatic use of music and fear for the characters, ect.

More about 'The Birds'

The scene where Tippie Hendren is ravaged by birds near the end of the movie took a week to shoot. To film this birds were attached to Tippie's clothes using long nylon threads so they were unable to get away.  She was actually cut in the face by one of the birds in one of the shots.

'The Birds' features 370 effect shots and the final shot is a composite of 32 separate filmed elements. There were also other considered endings to the film such as the Golden Gate Bridge being completely covered by birds. The film does not end with the usual shot of 'THE END' title because Hitchcock wanted to give the impression of unending terror.

During the premiere to 'The Birds' as the audience left the Odeon at Leicester Square they were greeted by the sound of screaming and flapping birds from loudspeakers which were hidden in trees to scare them.

There is also no musical score for the film apart fro the sounds that were created on the mixtrautonium, Oskar Sala and the children singing in the school.