Jules presents...Alfred Hitchcock
English film director, Sir Alfred Hitchcock was an incredible director, producer and screenwriter and is renowned for his suspenseful thrillers and before its time techniques.
His nickname wasthe “MASTER OF SUSPENSE!”
Hitchcock started his career as a director in 1920 and headed to Hollywood in 1939. This year he directed/produced his first American film, titled Rebecca. This earned him the Academy Award for Best Picture!
Hitchcock directed about 50 movies, often making cameos in his films!
Films such as Psycho, Rear Window and The Birds were directed by the Master of Suspense and many of his films were considered horror.
Hitchcock often collaborated with artists/designers in his work, for example the titles of Psycho were created by Saul Bass.
Hitchcock created gruesome scenes that cause the audience to shudder without being gorey or graphic, rather utilising media codes such as acting, sound and lighting. For example, probably the most famous murder scene, the shower scene from Psycho, uses incredible acting through facial expressions of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) and the use of music to communicate the horrific murder without the need to show Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) plunge the knife into his victim.
Hitchcock utilised Film Noir black & white and dramatic shadows from vibrant lights to emphasis suspense in Rear Window.
*SPOILER ALERT*
For example, when Thorwald (Raymond Burr) spots Jeff (James Stewart) from his apartment and then comes over to confront him, the use of slow heavy footsteps, the shadow appearing under the doorway, and then Thorwald’s silhouette in the doorway, as well as the acting of Stewart, demonstrating that he was unable to flee, increased the suspense and helplessness for the audience.