Vertigo Media Language Essay

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HOW DOES THE OPENING SEQUENCE CONVEY THE FILM?
● Include Theory
● Media Language
● Context
● Compare other film opening sequences’ from Hitchcock The Hitchcock film, Vertigo (1958) contains elements of style and distinctive marks identifiable with his presence of creative force such as graphics by Sual Brass and score music (sound) by Bernard Herrmann. Likewise, elements of media language has been used to captivate the spectators in the opening sequence. In this essay I will explore the relevant use of media language which conveys the film.

Alfred Hitchcock has built suspense to create engagement. This is exemplified through the use of non-diegetic dramatic score music to foreshadow the mystery of the narrative and explicitly establishes the genre of the film - Thriller. Through the non-diegetic music, the audience feel suspense as they do not know what has triggered the disequilibrium. This keeps the viewers at the edge of their seats. Furthermore, it can highlight the beginning disequilibrium. Arguably, this disapproves Todorov's narrative theory (five stages), as the non-diegetic music suggests that there is no stability in the film world (for the protagonist). This is further proven towards the end of this sequence where Scottie experiences vertigo on a rooftop chase. …show more content…

This connotes suspicion - one of the main themes in the film. Suspicion is indicative through Scottie’s character he is a detective and through his investigation, he becomes more and more suspicious about who Madeleine is. This creates enigma (Roland Barthes, Hermeneutic Code) as the audience is curious to know what has caused suspicion and mystery. The screen turns from grey to red. The colour red connotes murder which indicates to the audience that the film deals with a murder (murder of Madeleine Elster). Additionally, red connotes lust which can express the sexual obsession that Scottie has for

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