Vertigo - Key Frame Analysis
For each of the frames below, analyse in detail. This requires demonstrating how meaning has been
created through cinematography, sound, editing, mise-en-scène and performance.
You need to say what is happening and why. You should say what impact the scene will have on the
audience. You also need to analyse the representations of characters. You could compare these
moments to those seen earlier in the film.
You may wish to re-watch the sequence each frame is from before making notes.
Comments: High angle close up – gives a voyeur-ish
view over her. It could connote ideas of innocence or
vulnerability. Shallow focus to accentuate her facial
expression. The high angle feels a bit unnatural as you
wouldn’t comfortable look down upon someone like this.
This explores Hitchcock’s voyeurism style. The shot
mostly focuses on her eyes and how she diverts eye
contact when her love life is mentioned. This shows her
insecurity and is an intimate angle to make this clear.
Comments: Shows Midge to be a working
independent woman. The mid shot shows her
continuing her work despite the influence of a man. The
seemingly organised mess in the background makes
her appear creative and of a free spirit. Despite this
perceived mess, the scattered drawing could make her
seem organised as if she is fond of planning and thus,
juxtaposes Madeleine’s spirituality. The fact that she is
the midst of that mess makes her more dominant and in
control of the ‘mess’.
Comments: The gesture is one of motherly protection
and nurturing. It would show a maternal care. A mid
close up is used to emphasize this. Shallow focus to
empathise the embrace. This could also be used to
obscure the height of the buildings out the window – of
which Scottie is afraid. This could be linked to a
moment earlier in which Scottie refers to Midge as a
motherly figure. The fact that she is holding him up
shows her to be more of a dominant caretaker, rather
than a love interest or else. This could foreshadow
Scottie’s rejection of Midge when she shows him the
painting.
For each of the frames below, analyse in detail. This requires demonstrating how meaning has been
created through cinematography, sound, editing, mise-en-scène and performance.
You need to say what is happening and why. You should say what impact the scene will have on the
audience. You also need to analyse the representations of characters. You could compare these
moments to those seen earlier in the film.
You may wish to re-watch the sequence each frame is from before making notes.
Comments: High angle close up – gives a voyeur-ish
view over her. It could connote ideas of innocence or
vulnerability. Shallow focus to accentuate her facial
expression. The high angle feels a bit unnatural as you
wouldn’t comfortable look down upon someone like this.
This explores Hitchcock’s voyeurism style. The shot
mostly focuses on her eyes and how she diverts eye
contact when her love life is mentioned. This shows her
insecurity and is an intimate angle to make this clear.
Comments: Shows Midge to be a working
independent woman. The mid shot shows her
continuing her work despite the influence of a man. The
seemingly organised mess in the background makes
her appear creative and of a free spirit. Despite this
perceived mess, the scattered drawing could make her
seem organised as if she is fond of planning and thus,
juxtaposes Madeleine’s spirituality. The fact that she is
the midst of that mess makes her more dominant and in
control of the ‘mess’.
Comments: The gesture is one of motherly protection
and nurturing. It would show a maternal care. A mid
close up is used to emphasize this. Shallow focus to
empathise the embrace. This could also be used to
obscure the height of the buildings out the window – of
which Scottie is afraid. This could be linked to a
moment earlier in which Scottie refers to Midge as a
motherly figure. The fact that she is holding him up
shows her to be more of a dominant caretaker, rather
than a love interest or else. This could foreshadow
Scottie’s rejection of Midge when she shows him the
painting.
