Psycho - Title Sequence Analysis and Breakdown

Psycho - Title Sequence Analysis and Breakdown

First appears the production company, Universal. This then fades into a grey screen. Directly after, black, horizontal lines begin to travel across the screen. These lines can be interpreted as blood running across the floor. Another possible connotation is that the black lines, in contrast with the grey background, represents the split personalities of the “Psycho.”  These lines then carry along fragments of letters which then form “ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S.” this happens again and spells the title of the film, “PSYCHO.” The word “PSYCHO” remains on the screen for around two seconds then the structure of the letters break up. This is perhaps done to represent the psychos’ unstable mentality and disjointed social appearance. These horizontal lines then rush off of the screen while vertical lines rush across. After the lines slide off, the words “STARRING ANTHONY PERKINS” appear. This happens again but instead shows “VERA MILES.” This happens again but instead shows “JOHN GAVIN.” The lines then switch back to traveling horizontally. Within one of the horizontal lines, the words “CO STARRING” can be scene. The lines then slide off of the screen and show “CO STARRING MARTIN BALSAM & JOHN McINTIRE.” This happens again to show 3 other actors names. The next time this happens, it displays the words “AND JANET LEIGH AS MARION CRANE.” Compared to the other actors name “JANET LEIGH” is written much larger on the screen.  This is done to show that Janet Leigh is one of the more important and famous actors in the film. This sequences of the lines and text then happen again frequently, showing the names and roles of the other people involved in developing the film such as: “ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.” Once the sequence of the lines and text stop; the screen fades into a horizontal pan shot of Phoenix Arizona. This shot gradually zooms in until it reaches an apartment window. This could have been done to show how what it about to happen in that apartment will affect the entire city. It is important to note that throughout the title sequence there is generic fast paced music. This is done generate a suspenseful atmosphere and make the audience feel uneasy.