Unit 3: Director StudyAlfred Hitchcock

Main Assessment Expectations

How does Alfred Hitchcock create suspense in a specific movie?

What theme does he portray the best?

How would you characterize the movies of Alfred Hitchcock and what does that reveal about him as a director?

Characterization, Quote Analysis, Reflection

Alfred Hitchcock: Basics

Born: August 13, 1899 (London)

Died: April 29, 1980 (Bel-Air, Los Angeles, CA)

Married: Alma Reville

Child: Patricia Hitchcock

http://www.biography.com/people/alfred-hitchcock-9340006

Practice Analysis

“I never said all actors are cattle; what I said was all actors should be treated like cattle.”

Alfred Hitchcock

What does that quote mean? What does it reveal to us about Alfred Hitchcock as a director? What does it reveal about him? Why is it important?

Master of Suspense

While working as an advertising designer, he began to submit short stories

False accusations, conflicted emotions, and twist endings

1920: entered the film industry designing title cards for silent films

1925: directed 1st film and began making thrillers

Well known for movies AND television. “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”

Suspense

A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen

Synonyms:Tension, uncertainty, doubt, anticipation, expectation, expectancy, excitement, anxiety, apprehension, strain

Anxious, edgy, jumpy, uneasy, jittery, on edge

1st Movie: Psycho (1960)

“To me, Psycho was a big comedy. Had to be.” Alfred Hitchcock

A secretary steals $40,000 from a client and goes on the run. She checks into a motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.

Potential Themes

Family

Death/Murder

Love/Sexuality

Guilt

Trust

Family

How important is a mother? Explain.

What makes someone a good mother? Explain.

Describe a healthy relationship between a mother and a child.

Family

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” Michael J. Fox

What does this quote mean? Do you agree/disagree? Is it important? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Family

“Rarely do members of the same family grow up under the same roof.” Richard Bach

What does this quote mean? Do you agree/disagree? Is it important? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Death/Murder

Is murder ever a good thing? (Think about Se7en and think about Gone Baby Gone)

When can death be a good thing?

Why do you think so many people are afraid of death?

Death/Murder

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Mark Twain

What does this quote mean? Is it important? Do you agree/disagree? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Death/Murder

“Killing is not as easy as the innocent believe.” JK Rowling

What does this quote mean? Do you agree/disagree? Is it important? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Love/Sexuality

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Martin Luther King Jr.

What does this quote mean? Do you agree/disagree? Is it important? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Guilt

“Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.” Erma Bombeck

What does this quote mean? Do you agree/disagree? Is it important? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Trust

Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks.” Isaac Watts

What does this quote mean? Do you agree/disagree? Is it important? How does it apply to society? How does it apply to you? (What does it reveal about character/plot/theme?)

Psycho

What are some of your initial thoughts about Psycho? What do you know about it? Have you seen any of the remakes? Do you think you will like it? EXPLAIN.