Alfred Hitchcock: The Rules of Visual Storytelling
Vložit
- čas přidán 21. 07. 2020
- Alfred Hitchcock was perhaps the greatest cinematic storyteller of the 20th century. His films created a visual language which have influenced virtually every director since.
In this video essay I examine how Hitchcock tells the story through his use of the camera to tell stories cinematically. In particular I focus on his thoughtful use of long shots and close-ups to convey plot and emotion visually. I take in many of his best films, from Strangers on a Train, through to Vertigo and Psycho, to examine how he uses many of these techniques.
#Hitchcock #VisualStorytelling #Filmmaking
Rule 1: Start Long and then come closer as the scene progresses
Rule 2: Close ups should be used to show an object is about to become important to the story
Rule 3: Focus on the Hands to express how the character is feeling
Close ups have many uses. Knowing how to use them is what makes a director good or bad.
You can use close ups, to show what a character is focusing on. look at polterguiest near the end when they are trying to get in the car. Close ups show the pockets, and the keys, and the faces of the kids screaming.
You can use close ups to make the audience uncomfortable like in LOTR Return of the king, when the stuart sends his son off to die, while pippen sings. focusing on the eating.
Or in Aliens 3 when they do super close ups of the feet on the cold floor, and the needle going into Rypley's arm.
You can use close ups to show what the director wants you to think is important. like the cup water ripples in Jurrassic Park, before the TRex shows up, or the glass penguin in Missery when he puts it back in the wrong place.
Or you can mess it all up, like they do in Open Water at the very start of the film when the couple is getting ready to leave, and show close ups of her purse, and the door handle, and the cellphone.
One of favourite hand closeups is from pride and prejudice where we see Darcys hand after helping Elizabeth into a carriage. Very simple and no dialogue but it conveys exactly how he is feeling. Amazing stuff, had no idea it traces back to Hitchcock 😊
Pure cinema is timeless. Wonderful video for future generations of film makers and story tellers.
Love the imperfect dolly movement in earlier movies.
Great video thanks...He was a master. I actually met the lady who was originally his script girl in the UK ...who left the UK with the family when he went to the USA and she was then his daughter's nanny later housekeeper before returning to the UK. She told me there was a knock on the door one day and she answered it. It was Cary Grant who said "Hi" to her and kissed her on the cheek. She told me she didn't wash for a week. I also saw and waved to Pat Hitchcock (his daughter) when she came to the UK and took her ex-nanny out to lunch. She always remembered her nanny. Pat was dressed in a red trouser suit and was with another lady and a man who drove the car. She (the nanny) had a photo of Hitch standing beside a bus...he was holding a sign that said "Hallo ...." But I have forgotten her name...darn it...anyone remember?
rule 1: use a wide shot to show the space in setting
rule 2: move in on character to reveal the blackface
One of sad things 😔
lol...like...what the F???.....it was just a different time,lol
This is a really underated channel
Loved Alfred Hitchcock's work , his story lines and plots in film was impeccable 👌 👏 👍
A very good analysis ... Hitchcock would feel proud watching this video if he'd been alive ...
Hitchcock liked hands and Tarantino feet.
Really? Didn't know that about QT.
And Sergio Leone liked faces
I read it wrong😂
Loved the video, it’s like an online class but actually good, really useful!!!
As a big Hitchcock fan this video was just pure enjoyment! I subbed right after watching!
Thanks so much, comments like the channel going!
Hitchcock's visual approach gave him the ability to tell a story that could reach the viewer in the most personal way, as if to touch an immensely private and personal feeling or memory that everyone has within themselves. This is done without any dialog at all. Here are just a few examples:
In "Spellbound," there is a scene with "Dr. Constance Petersen" (Ingrid Bergman) going up the stairs to her room where she looks at the light coming out from under the closed door of the room of "Dr. Anthony Edwardes" (Gregory Peck,) with whom she has fallen in love.
In "Vertigo," there is a scene where "Scottie" (James Stewart) just loiters outside Ernie's Restaurant, inconsolable over the loss of "Madeline" (Kim Novak,) with whom he had fallen in love.
In his 1956 version of "The Man Who Knew Too Much," there is a scene in the embassy where "Doctor McKenna" (James Stewart) finds his son "Hank" (Christopher Olsen) hidden in an upstairs room. As he reaches to grab him, "Edward Drayton" (Bernard Miles) comes up behind him with a gun and tells him to stop, evoking an intense expression of frustration.
As for using establishing shots and then closing in to tell a story, one of my favorite examples that I use to discuss this technique is from the premiere episode of television's "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" called "Revenge" (directed by Hitchcock himself) with Ralph Meeker and Vera Miles. In the first 65 seconds, without any dialog at all, we are already made aware of these things: The location is a seaside residential trailer park in California, the story begins in one of the trailers there, people are just getting up for the day, the principals in the story are a young happily-married couple from Connecticut, their trailer is neat and orderly and the husband is gets up at 6 AM. I have never seen any other director be able to tell a visual story with such aplomb.
I've just found your channel. I hope these blow up because you are really good
Fantastic, essay, sir! You have a new & grateful subscriber.
All well and good for directors. The challenge is for screenwriters to craft a script that provides the director with the material to emulate the skills Hitchcock.
Fantastic ! I’ve been reading Hitchcock/Truffaut lately and I thought it was really cool how you went over the Young and Innocent Finale
Yes that book was a huge reference for the video. I also have another script based on some of the discussion so stay tuned.
I agree with Hitchcock, the power of cinema is in visual storytelling......that’s why I write stuff like that
Thank you for this informative and very enjoyable work about a great filmmaker
Without dialogue, how do you follow the plot?! I'm a matriarch, I've been around for a while. This show was absolutely one of my favorites. You follow the plot through the music, the sound, the visual. It all comes together in your head.💞
Another great video! 👍
Great video, thanks 👍
great stuff, really well put together and very informative indeed - thanks!!!
In that era, a few directors evolved from silent movies to talkies era
Hello. This is such a fine look at Hitchcock’s technique that the single error I find puzzles me terribly, because it’s very clear that the hand carrying the coffee cup in Notorious is no prop. Did I misunderstand you? Thanks!
I hope you continue to make videos, this was great.
More more Hitch fantastic
This is Wonderful. Thank you.
Thanks a lot. Comments like this motivate me to keep the channel going.
Excellent video. Very interesting and informative
Wow, great analysis!
Thank you for this very good video.
This was such a great video!!!! Thank you for making it.
Thank you
Very informative, thanks
Thank you so much
amazing video
Keep making videos, my friend!
Great....Thanks.
Thank you so much!!!
You're welcome!
Hitchcock is closest there comes to one of my models as a filmmaker.
Good content. Keep going. Subbed
Thanks, this is a great video, --but, at 5:25 that was in fact, the real hand of the actress, with her fingers opening up, to deftly lift the saucer and cup, then open again, to release it at the other table. Her arm and hand are in proper proportion to the rest of her body, which is obvious when the scene is viewed in it's entirety. It's clearly hers. There's no need for an enlarged prop for that scene. --You were right about the large prop phone and finger used to to dial the M for murder. The reason Hitchcock had them made up that way was because the 3-D camera he used to shoot the movie wasn't capable of focusing on a close-up object. He needed a giant prop phone and finger made, in order to get what appeared to be a close up, frame filling shot.
I absolute agree with you: In that scene at 5:25 we see the real hand of the actress and there was no need for an oversized prop hand. Hitchcock accented the hand by using a small cup with a small bottom plate (they look like doll's house items and make appear the real hand bigger). It is possible that at 1:14 we also see an oversized prop finger with oversized font, but I am not 100 % sure. I can imagine that the main problem of that time were the technical limitations of the camera gear. It didn't exist lenses with real macro-capabilities or very short minimum focus distance. So Hitchcock was in need of big props to do the extreme close-up shots. But as said: I am only guessing.
There WAS a giant hand prop used at the conclusion of "Spellbound", which portrayed a madman pointing a gun at himself to escape imprisonment and ruin.
@@garytiptin6479Yes, that was Leo G. Carrol's character.
hitchcock has been the author of his movies.
how does a screenwriter initiate visual storytelling if the book should contain just dialogue?
Really liked the video, but what's the film at 9:40 straight after Psycho?
It's the Purple Rose of Cairo by Woody Allen.
Actually I've always felt this way about music. A good rock band should play as if they're performing for an audience of deaf people, because the magic of live music is in the visual, or we'd just go home and put the record on.
I like the quote from him at the beginning of the video, but I can't understand everything. What does he say and where did he say it?
How did you make this video?
Do it for Bergman
subbed
What is the movie shot from the minute 10:21 please
Shadow of a doubt - an absolute classic
@@TheWholeEquation Will there be any new videos?
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
North by Northwest
Is that hand from Notorious really an oversized prop? Seems proportional to me. I think it's an old woman's hand.
good video the black face caught me a little off guard
How did you analyze these film? All from observation or from readings?
I'd say it's important when you're learning about film to do both, read and watch. For this video something like the Hitchock/Truffaut would be a great jumping off point.
@@TheWholeEquation that sounds like wise advice. I’ve been trying to make a video essay on Wes Anderson’s Royal Tenenbaums. I’m only like 40 minutes in and I have tons of notes on shots and color designs and what I think they mean. Perhaps I should relieve some pressure on myself and read some books on Wes’ storytelling styles. I just worry about not being right or not diving deep enough
@@gabrielidusogie9189 I wouldn't stress too much about whether your deep diving enough and being 'right' is fairly ambiguous when it comes to film. Just try and be interesting and tell the audience something they won't have heard before.
And if you've never read it before this was where I learnt the most about making a video essay:
medium.com/@tonyszhou/postmortem-1b338537fabc
All the best!
@@TheWholeEquation many thanks. Seriously. You replied rather quickly on a 7 month old video. That’s quite nice of you. Can’t wait to watch what you make next. Again. Many thanks
@@gabrielidusogie9189 I try and respond to comments, especially when people ask something constructive.
What is the filme 10:47 seemed like an old history movie, what is the name of that movie?!
It's Intolerance by DW Griffiths.
I always thought Cary Grant was in North by Northwest
He was?
00:00-00:27 What's the name of those movies? I want to use them in my assignment.
0:08-0:17 Rear Window (1954)
0:17-0:21 Psycho (1960)
0:21-0:27 Rear Window (1954)
@@dd1530 Thanks!
I wonder if the sloppy sliding of the tennis player's feet indicates he's not only going to be a clever tennis player but a slippery but good character...
We need those "unoriginal shots". You know I would love so much to see those "unoriginal shots with the creepy characters" the problem is no one has the skill or sensibility to do them anymore. I don't know why but in today's cinema those "unoriginal shot" have completely disappeared. Most of the movies nowdays are so frustrating and boring, but not because the story is boring. The issue is directors tend to use words to supplement their inability of making a visual story. That's the problem I think...
Yeah certainly there are directors out there who could learn a lot from Hitchcock. Check out my Dennis Villeneuve video where I talk about how limited lots of modern direction is in Hollywood.
what film is :25
Rear window?
7:42, what movie is it?
Rope
When you see one video and subscribe on the spot
Thanks!
My Dialogue sucks so I decided..
Did I just saw black face
Yes, you did!
Yep, unfortunately. Times were different
@@savannahlevy97 times are different but the nuances still the same by and large unfortunately. 😞
Here I am, a Black film enthusiast, looking for tips to help me hone a new hobby and instead I’m reminded of the damaging far reaching effect of racism. It’s hard to ignore. Needless to say, I got more than what I bargained for.
@@rayp945 yup. Just like you I'm learning these skills everyday and it's up to US now to tell our stories and change the narrative. Seeing that clip only intensified my desire to learn from his technical know how and apply it to correct things.
The dance band... was that blackface?
Probably. I don't know for sure, but I don't think black people were allowed to be actors during the time of filming.
@@TomEyeTheSFMguy I see. I was shocked to see that and it made me curious.
It was at the extremely common in England in the 30s for white musicians to wear black face. This wasn't something done just for the cinema screen but was common in musichall acts. It unfortuntely persisted right up to the 70s.
I don't really understand the roots of why that was but its far from a Hitchcock only thing.
@@TheWholeEquation That's interesting. I thought it only happened in the states and was mainly a Hollywood thing.
Good thing the strange practice died out.
Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the struggles and madness in this world today, God is full of justice, mercy and love.
Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans
. The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom.
If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He will help us through the struggle, the stress, and anything we experience in the world. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him through His power (not ourselves, we need Him to help us as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction).
He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if you had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place.
He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it.
He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way.
Christ says in John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
- (AMPLIFIED version)
NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. Regardless of what you've done or what you're going through you CAN make it through Jesus.
If you have any questions let me know UXQ9ErQ0IZpGGN9NOnZY8CWja1940ISXEfiNYlG_IPi30mm6eIOjZzUwvfbOX2dz&utm_Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the struggles and madness in this world today, God is full of justice, mercy and love.
Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans
. The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom.
If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He will help us through the struggle, the stress, and anything we experience in the world. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him through His power (not ourselves, we need Him to help us as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction).
He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if you had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place.
He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it.
He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way.
Christ says in John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
- (AMPLIFIED version)
NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. Regardless of what you've done or what you're going through you CAN make it through Jesus.
If you have any questions let me know xx
why we gotta do national treasure dirty like that
Hitchcock made some of my favorite movies. But that *hands* scene from Marnie might be the worst scene of any movie I’ve watched.
Hitchcock found the actual shooting of movies annoying. It was the pre-production where he thought the creative content should be 90% locked down, with script editing and a storyboard that gave the crew, especially the camera crew, precise shot directions. I was a storyboard artist in the 80s and 90s. Directors often asked me for visual ideas, suggested by the script. Hitchcock didn't like improvising on set, and for good reason. A movie director, to him, was someone who stays to an actor, "Walk to camera and look scared." It was the actor's job to internalise those minimal instructions and make the shot look convincing. He said once... "Actors are cattle."
that fwequently lispy stowie about fwaming a murdewa
I think your first rule is a misinterpretation. What is the first shot of Vertigo? A closeup of a hand grabbing a metal bar.
This really needs a trigger warning for black face.
I noticed that also