Analysis opening of Vertigo

Analysis of Opening Film Techniques of Vertigo

Titling:

Black and white background in the opening scene, which implies danger. White font highlights its scary. The purple circle between the eyes suggests that it symbolizes a group organization.

Titling background included to show the director and who casts in the film.

Camera Movement:

Tracking shot was included in the chasing scene, which represents that the director wants us to focus on the what’s going on in this scene.

Framing of Shot:

Close up angle shot, which represents that, the camera is trying to identify the characters facial expression. As the close up shot is close up to the eye the colour begins to change into red, which represents danger and blood. The eye also grows wider when the color turns red which shows us that this character may be the perpetrator.

Extreme close up shot was included to identify what the character’s feelings.

Camera Angles:
High angle shot has been included in the scene where the man was struggling to keep on grip, which suggests that he’s powerless and intimidated.

Mise-en-scène:

Low-key lighting was included in this scene, which suggests that the character is less powerful and shows us that he’s the evil one.

The costume in the opening scene suggests that they’re well educated men who are willing to save the day.

Editing directions:

Reverse shot was included in the conversation between the police officer and the victim falling off which suggest that the director wants the audience to see and identify the reactions between the both characters

Sound techniques:
The opening scene the music begins calm as the eye begins to grow wider and the colour red appears the tone of the music gets louder. The opening scene the tempo begins increases, which symbolizes that something is about to occur.

The music gets louder when the victim (police) is looking down which suggest that he’s vulnerable this is because he doesn’t have the strength to get back up and enough grip.

Actor’s positioning and movement:

The actors positioning onscreen represents that their feeling scared and insecure this is because they’re running through a high building which suggest that anything could happen.

Narrative questions:

Who is the hero and who is the Villain? How do you know?

The character of the film. Scottie is a former detective who quits his job when he develops brutal fear of heights. He is a romantic who rejects reality in favor of false impression. His obsession with the ideal woman fuels much of the action of the film.

Where is the story set? What does this tell you about the genre of the film?

In the beginning of the opening scene where we see the chase between the police officer and the villain in high building. This highlights us that it’s building tension.

How many principle characters?

Three main characters included in the film. The main character that is the hero second is a female who is rewarded for the hero. The third character is the Villain who tries to take lives away.

How is the story told? Chronologically or does it switch between present and past? What is the effect?

It does not switch from the present to the past it shows you each scene step by step.

The effect is that you get to see the events leading up to the main event.

It builds up tension because you see the police because you see him fall off the roof.

What questions are you left with?

The questions I’m left with how does this effect the audience?

This effects audience by seeing a particular scene where they believe that the villain is the most powerful character because low angle shots were included to represent that he has control.