Film Analyses...

Analyses of Vertigo Opening Scene

- Sound

In this opening scene, sound comes mostly in the form of music. The music is very mysterious, and can even provoke intrigue and fear in the audience. Mixed in with the effects of the scene, it is very effective at having a psychological effect on the audience.

- Colour

When the eye widens, the whole shot turns a tinted red. This red combined with the widening of the eye connotes murder, mystery and shock. Then there’s the multi-coloured spirals, which contrast greatly with the dark and mostly black background. These spirals can cause confusion, and get the audience thinking – what are the symbols representing? These psychological features are very important in the thriller genre.

- Other Details

It is worth noting the extreme close up on the face. This may get the audience to ask, who is this person, and what has she got to do with the films plotline? Also, some effects are used with the credits, such as the titles coming out the eyes of the person, and the spirals too.