What+do+you+think

1. For this assignment, think about some of the **thematic**, and **stylistic** motifs that you've seen in the four previous films by the director that you've watched. What do you notice in this film that fits in with this director's body of work? There are many common thematic and stylistic motifs in Hitchcock films. Such a style is called: “Hitchcockian.” One of the major motifs is the use of stairs. In Vertigo, it was the iconic setting of the church with the stairs that went up to the tower. While for Rear Window, there were stairs in the opposite apartment. In Psycho, the stairs lead to the room of Norman Bates. In these three films, the stairs were used to communicate suspense to the audience. For instance, the use of stairs in Vertigo helped to communicate Scottie’s exit of his comfort zone and also emphasized his fear of heights. In the two other films, they were use as instances of suspense and also a crucial part of the setting. Another thematic motif is that of duality, again this plays into Hitchcock’s hands of suspense as he is able to so carefully shape the audience into thinking one way. Furthermore, the audience plays a spectating role of the protagonist, who is often deceived by another character. This all adds up to the suspense as the audience, along with the protagonist is deceived. While the protagonist figures the scheme out, we do discover it too. This connection between the protagonist and the audience all the more helps the audience to feel the same way as the protagonist does. Moreover, this is supported by the countless number of “look” shots that the actors play. However, there are some exceptions as there are uses of dramatic irony. For example, in Vertigo the audience discovers that the entire suicide was some kind of ploy. It is not clearly shown, at least to me, and I was only able to piece it together as Scottie did. (with the necklace) this use of dramatic irony also adds to the suspense, as the audience knows that the protagonist is going deeper into trouble. //This answer should be about 200-300 words.//

2. What are some of the most iconic director's choices that you've seen in any of the five films you've watched? What directors choices stood out the most to you? These examples don't necessarily need to be repeated in multiple films, but have helped define the director's image. For example, Kubrick might be known for the iconic scene of Danny riding his bike in one continuous steady-cam shot, or the most famous match cut of all time in //2001: A Space Odyssey// (which we will talk about later). Both of these examples are inherently 'Kubrick' moments, even though they don't have 'echoes' in his other films.

//Please list 2-3 examples for each film. This can be a bulleted list but should incorporate complete sentences and explanations of what the choices were and why they were so effective. Screenshots would be appropriate but not required.//

1. Rope cut: We have talked about the rope cut and only till I watched this video that I realized what it truly was. This cut was very unique and it helped to add continuity to the film. Rope is a film that is very smooth and cuts aren't as often as the other films.
 * Rope:**

2.Lights flashing in the end: This is so effective as it adds on to the disorder at the end of the film, where the master plan falls apart. furthermore, i realized that the color of the lighting is similar to that of in Vertigo: Green/Blue and Red.
 * Vertigo**

Vertigo Shot:This shot was so effective as it conveyed the fear of heights that Scottie has. It is said that the audience is the lens of the film and this unique and groundbreaking shot was absolutely perfect to convey the fear/phobia of heights. Extreme close ups & camera movement:There are many extreme close ups in Vertigo which emphasizes specific clues to piecing the puzzle together.

Iconic monument: Mount Rushmore, UN.
 * North by Northwest**

Use of transportation: Cars, trains, planes The use of transportation adds on to the action of the film and also the flow of it. As he is traveling in the car and on the train, the audience is also on the run with him. This adds on to the "on the run" kind of suspense

Cut Edits: I think that this was a really effective way in conveying the stabbing of Crane without being gory. The cuts between Bates and Crane literally served as cuts of Crane (said in an interview of Crane). Shower scene cut: This match cut with the shower drain and the eye both symbolizes death. The blood and water going into the drain is something that leads to nowhere which has a cut to the eye of dead Crane.
 * Psycho**

Voyeur: This common element in Hitchcock film is best shown in Rear Window where the audience, like the protagonist is "injured" and vulnerable. The use of voyeur makes the audience feel the same as the Jeff as at the same time, we feel that we were discovered by Thorwald. Camera Movement:There is camera movement of all the surroundings of the apartments. This is great in establishing the shot/scene as we get to know the setting of the film. Also, it is comprised of many voyeuristic shots.
 * Rear Window**