Analysis of opening titles; Psycho (2/3) - Sam McLeish

Psycho - Alfred Hitchcock, 1960

1. The name of the film (the film title):  How does it suggest the Thriller genre, connect with the audience, create interest or anticipation for the target audience? 

The name suggests to the audience that the main focus of the film will be around either the protagonist or antagonist who is mentally insane. This is clever because the audience assumes that they will be dangerous which is an interesting theme for a thriller film. This interest will capture the imagination of the audience and will keep them watching for the duration of the film.

2. Consider how the film title design might further communicate meaning to the audience about genre, meaning or story. (Colour, font, animation, size, background etc).

The titling is simple but extremely effective. As there is animation, the titles wipe in from the left. This is useful because it gives the audience something interesting to look at whilst the rest of the screen is black and white. This is an good example of separate shots for titling rather than it being superimposed. 

Also, the second shot after the animation has slit the title is useful because it could foreshadow events in the future. For example, a character could be cut with a knife. This is effective because it then become more prominent to the audience if this does happen.

3. What institutional info is included?

What is unusual about this opening is this is the only institutional information the audience is given. Instead, the credits are given, rather than at the end which normally happens in the present day. This isn't the case for modern day thriller films where they normally work in partnership with other companies. Also, the fact that the logo is in black and white is effective because it creates a dark and tense atmosphere, perfect for a thriller film.

What is disappointing about it is there no animation on this logo and it's a still image. This is boring to an audience and will make it easier for them to get distracted. However, this is proven not be an issue because as it is the first image the audience sees, it doesn't matter because their attention is immediately drawn to the first set of titling. 

4. Is additional story info included - eg date or location? If so, why?

This sequence fails to include any exposition in comparison to the previous opening I analysed. This, however, can still be useful in opening a thriller sequence because it makes the events that happen later in the film more shocking to an audience, which is needed in order to create a tense and effective thriller film.  

5. Are actors included? How are they introduced in the title sequence?

The actors are introduced in the sequence in different ways depending on their status within the film. For example, Vera Miles' name is in the centre of the shot, like Hitchcock's name. This then suggests that she is important as she has the lead role and in such, her character should be either the protagonist or antagonist.

This is then in comparison to their co-stars who's names are placed towards the left of the shot and the text is smaller in size. This then presents them as less important and therefore playing lesser characters. Their characters are most probably to be the more noticeable secondary characters because the lesser so are normally reserved for the closing credits. 

6. For the sequence as a whole - consider the relationship between title and credit information and the background for that frame (onto black, a still image or moving image of the actual film). Suggest reasons for it being effective as part of the Thriller opening. 

All of the titles in this sequence are always on a black background and the text is white in colour. This is effective because the simplicity of it makes it have a higher impact because it was unexpected by the audience for the theme to be like this. However, the audience should expect this because of the title of the actual film.


What should also be noted that this lack of interest in terms of colour is made up with the transitions of the titles, as shown here. As it is has a quick movement and accompanies the upbeat tempo of the soundtrack, it compliments each other and successfully adds to the tension needed for an effective thriller. 


7. Is the sound diegetic or non diegetic - how is the title and credit sequence edited to the music? Are sound bridges used?

The backing soundtrack is a non-diegetic song featuring a band of string instruments. The title sequence is edited so that the titles move during the harmonies of the strings and they stay still when they play together. This alignment is effective because it allows the audience to focus on the titles during the time they don't have to take in the harmonies, making it less confusing and more useful to them as an audience. 

A sound bridge is used between the end of the opening sequence and into the first scene but the actual song changes. This is useful because it creates continuity between the two sequences which is needed for a flowing and clear film.


8 Study carefully the relationship between moving image segments of the film (the start of the plot) and the introduction of titles. What is the order in which they are introduced? Why do you think this is?

As the opening sequence starts with the titles and then moves into the film, it allows for the easy flow of the film rather than having it superimposed and having double the information for the audience to take in. This is effective due to the fact that you don't want to overwhelm your audience with too much information or you risk them not understanding the main drama at the climax of the film.