Under The Skin Film Analysis

Adhering to the common film phrase “show do not tell” Glazers (2013) ‘Under the Skin’ and Hitchcocks (1960) ‘Psycho’ masterfully convey ideas about character identity while creating an atmosphere of dread and horror. Although both ‘Under the Skin’ (Glazer, 2013) and ‘Psycho’ (Hitchock,1960) are vastly different films, (as one is a fantastical science fiction film while the other is thriller horror). Hitchcock and Glazer manipulate elements of the mise-en-scene such as setting, framing, sound design and costuming for dramatic effect. Framing and costuming are used to subtly expose the characters, hinting at a possible hidden persona/identity. ‘Psycho’ (Hitchock,1960) being a more literal example this as Norman has a dual identity (one of his mother …show more content…
While framing is a key aspect in the creation of dramatic elements, sound (or lack thereof) and setting are used to effectively create scenes of either unease, suspense or horror.

Glazer uses framing in ‘Under the Skin’ (2013) as an important element of creating dramatic effect. From the very opening scenes in ‘Under the Skin’ (Glazer, 2013) the intense framing of the extreme close ups are used to convey ideas about character identity, highlighting emotions or being used to create a looming sense of dread and horror (Turner, 1988). In the opening shots the audience is shown what looks to be an unusually shaped ship slowly moving closer to the camera. It is surrounded in black, slowly moving forward. What follows this at first seems to be an extension of this scene with an extreme close up of two round objects slowly fading into frame. These hard-round shapes begin to resemble an eye or what could be described as a human eye, just one devoid of colour and personality. The camera then cuts continuing its extreme close up to reveal a fully formed human eye. The eye is revealed to belong to