Hitchcock and Techniques

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that Alfred Hitchcock is one of America's most revered directors and creative talents. He left behind him some of the most memorable movie thrillers in history and defined an entire genre of artistic direction. The writer points out that since he started work in films in 1919, Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature length films in a career that lasted almost six decades. From the silent movie genre to the color era, he was always one of the foremost creative talents and directors the world had ever seen. In this analysis, the writer looks into Hitchcock's life and his major influences. Further, the writer looks at the techniques that Hitchcock helped to pioneer into one of Hollywood's most established genres, thrillers and suspense.

From the Paper:

" Hitchcock explains that his early childhood and exposure to cinema were his greatest influences. As a child, his overbearing mother would constantly make him wait on her, and this became his inspiration for exploring the relationship between family members and dysfunctional families as evidenced in Psycho. Furthermore, much of his work was influenced by the expressionist techniques that he witnessed firsthand in Germany while making his first film. German expressionism would blend with much of Hitchcock's work to become part of the signature experience of Hitchcocian cinema. German filmmakers, because of the lack of funds in the post-world war I era, could not compete with large productions from the United States. Therefore, they developed a style of using symbolism and "mise en scene" to add mood and deeper meaning to their movie. Hitchcock was inspired by this technique and style to incorporate deeper meaning and shades of meaning within his movies. This can be evidenced by long drawn out scenes that focus on objects, such as staircases rather than specific dialogue or action. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• FREEMAN, David The last days of Alfred Hitchcock: a memoir featuring the screenplay of "Alfred Hitchcock's The Short Night". Woodstock, NY: The Overlook Press, 1984. 281p.
• LEFF, Leonard J. Alfred Hitchcock and Selznick: the rich and strange collaboration of Alfred Hitchcock and David O. Selznick in Hollywood. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1987. 383p. illus.
• SPOTO, Donald The life of Alfred Hitchcock: the dark side of genius. London: Collins, 1983. 165p.
• TAYLOR, John Russell Hitch: the life and work of Alfred Hitchcock. London: Faber, 1978. 320p.
• AUILER, Dan Alfred Hitchcock's secret notebooks. London: Bloomsbury Press, 1999. 567p.

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