Close Study Film: Vertigo

1. Close Study Film: Vertigo By the end of today’s lesson you will be able to…. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

2. Alfred Hitchcock • What do you already know about Alfred Hitchcock? • Discuss on tables and make a list of bullet points. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

3. Alfred Hitchcock • British film director, actor and producer. • Began as a titles producer for Lasky studios in London. • First directing job in 1923, for a film called ‘Always tell your wife’. After making several films for the company, Hitchcock was given the chance to co-produce a British/German film called “The pleasure garden” which sky rocketed his career and gave him the opportunity to become one of the most infamous directors of all time. • Some of Hitchcock's most renowned films are: Strangers on a train, The man who knew too much, Vertigo, North by Northwest, The birds and Psycho. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

5. What we need to know! • A film about film: identification / obsession / misrecognition? • A film about film: the gendered look, the female object • The significance of this as a “Hitchcock” film • Recurring motifs and the possible symbolic patterning of the film • Interpreting the Madeleine / Judy split • The spectator relationship to Scottie as the film develops • The use of locations • The success or otherwise of the film as a thriller • Difficulties in taking the film seriously from a narrative realist perspective and problems of audience response that result from this • The film’s canonical status • The film’s critical reception LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

6. What can you tell about the film from the front cover? Discuss on your tables and be prepared to feedback. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

7. Homework What did you find out about vertigo? How do you think it will help with the understanding of the film? Discuss your findings on your tables. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

8. Learning Objectives • Consolidate the plot • Identify and analyse character • Consider how characters are represented (introduction) • Evaluate a number of approaches to the film LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

9. Starter: summarise the plot of the film in exactly 50 words. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

10. Characters • Scottie • Midge • Gavin Elster • Judy/Madeleine • Pop Leibel • Carlotta Valdes LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

11. A man of action until his fall Possessive Obsessive Cold blunt John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

12. John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson • On your tables, discuss how you perceived the character of Scottie. • What was significant about his character? • What key scenes highlighted this? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

13. ‘Scottie’: Female relationships How would you describe Scottie’s relationship with the following females? Discuss and make a short list of bullet points for each. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

14. Three times in Vertigo, Scottie starts to leave a room, only to return. Each return gets him deeper into his involvement. What do you think the significance of this is? John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson • In Midge's apartment: "What did you mean, there's no losing it . . . the acrophobia? . . . I think I can lick it." In Gavin Elster's office: "I didn't mean to be that rough. " [Elster:] Do you think I made it up? [Scottie:] "No. . . ." In Judy's hotel room: Will you have dinner with me? . . . Will you, for me? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

15. Rich Powerful Controlling Intelligent Manipulative On the following slides are two examples of mise-en-scene. How do they represent Elster? Gavin Elster LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

16. Gavin Elster LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

17. Gavin Elster LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

18. Estler dominates Scottie How does Estler dominate Scottie within the film? Think of specific examples and use these examples of mise-en-scene to refer to. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

19. Gavin Elster What does this example of mise-en-scene tell us about the relationship between Elster and women? Do you think this reflects Hitchcock's own ideology? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

20. The perfect woman? Glamorous Unattainable Presented in attractive surroundings What does her presentation tell us about Hitchcock's view of women? ‘Madeleine Elster’ LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

21. Romantic music Long ,slow takes ‘Gliding’ camera Soft focus Diffused lighting Achromatic clothes Sumptuous/dramatic backdrop The ideal woman? Why do you think Hitchcock uses the above cinematography and how does it make us view Madeleine? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

22. The ideal woman? Always presented in dramatic, beautiful settings. Why? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

23. Bookish-glasses Too mothering Sexually unattractive Financially independent (good) but emotionally dependant (bad) What does her presentation tells us tell us about Hitchcock's view of women? Midge LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

24. Midge What do you think is the significance of Midge trying to help Scottie with his vertigo? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

25. Midge Mothering, clingy ,dependant Out of Scotties life. and the film Tries to involve her self in Scottie’s life LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

26. “Just a girl from Kansas” Real Attainable Does not interest Scottie until she is ‘transformed into Madeline Judy Barton LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

27. Judy Barton ‘Madeleine’ Judy as ‘Madeleine’ Judy LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

28. Judy Barton What role does Judy play in relation to Madeleine? Discuss and make a brief list. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

29. Provides element of mystery Makes the whole obsession by ‘Madeline’ seem more realistic Do you think this character played any other role? Carlotta Valdes LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

30. Book shop owner Tells Scottie about history of Carlotta Midge also there Liebel not in on the plot Pop Liebel LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

31. How do we interpret the film? How do you view the film and why? Discuss the below and figure out how you think the film fits in with each. • A thriller? • Oneiric narrative? (Focusing on pertaining to dreams) • A study of male obsession? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

32. Exciting …yes Resolution …yes (but 40 mins before end!!!!) Convincing and plausible?....maybe not Does that matter? A thriller? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

33. McKittrick Hotel: a hole in the plot? Where does Madeline go?Is the hotel owner in on the plot? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

34. The necklace What role did the necklace play within the film? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

35. Oneirc narrative:Relating to or suggesting dreams LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

36. Oneiric narrative: the end....back to the beginning? What is significance of the film beginning and ending in this way? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

37. Falling… LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

38. The ‘Vertigo’ Shot: dolly pan Camera is pulled away from subject (on a dolly) and zoomed in at the same time. A model of the stairs (laid horizontally ) was used here . How was this effect created significant to understanding the character and his condition? Think back to your half term homework. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

39. Scottie’s nightmare LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

40. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

41. The male gaze What do you think is meant by the male gaze? Discuss on your tables and be prepared to feedback. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

42. The male gaze • What is the male gaze theory? • The concept of the gaze is a theory that deals with how the audience view the people presented within the film. • For feminists it can be thought of in three ways: • How men look at women • How women look at themselves • How women look at other women LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

43. The male gaze Gaze and the feminist theory Laura mulvey coined the term ‘Male Gaze’ kin 1975. She believe that in film audiences have to ‘view’ characters from the perspective of a heterosexual male. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GsRK43Td0U LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

44. The male gaze Features of the female gaze The camera lingers on the curves of the female body, and events which occur to women are presented largely in the context of a mans reaction to these events. How is this relevant within the study of ‘Vertigo’? Think about specific scenes to support your answer. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

45. Hitchcock supplies the viewer with an array of different locations throughout the film. What do you feel are the most important locations and why? Make a list of specific scenes. Significance of Location LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

46. First sight of her in an opulent, beautiful setting: sets the tone for his obsession. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

47. Midge’s apartment; Midge is a very motherly character and her home certainly represents that. Here we can see a big armchair, comfy looking. The room looks open-planned and the windows let in a lot of light; giving out a homely feel. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

48. Gavin Elster’s Office; • Gavin Elster's office shows a lot about him. The office is very big and looks very professional. The furniture is antique looking and suggests that he is very wealthy. Behind Elster, we see his work which shows his power as a boss. • The room isn’t very bright with colours and all the furniture and carpet look the same colour, possibly seeing Elster’s life lacking energy and colour? LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

49. Ernie’s; • Ernie’s restaurant seems full of energy and colour in this picture. During the restaurant scene in Vertigo the place is very busy and full of noise. Madeline is dressed in an elegant green ball gown which is very easy to spot during the scene, making her stand out of the crowd; this is where Scottie first meets Madeline and so it is important for her to be dressed in a bright colour to make her stand of for both Scottie and the audience. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.

50. Art gallery & Carlotta’s grave; • Every scene in the art gallery seems very empty. Madeline is the only one and this focuses the audiences attention on her. • Madeline is also alone at the graveside too and this means that the focus is on Scottie’s fascination with Madeline and strengthens the audiences attention on them both. LO: Understand the context of the film ‘Vertigo’ by Alfred Hitchcock and how we will be analysing it within our exam.