STORYBOARD - QUESTIONS

‘P’ is for Psycho Storyboard

A) What is happening in the opening sequence of the film?

In the opening sequence of ‘P’ is for Psycho, a man is in a men’s toilet. At first all we see are his legs, next to a sink, then we are shown him holding his hand as if in pain. The camera cuts to show some objects – a photo, a watch and a wallet. Through a close-up shot, we are then shown blood being washed away in a sink, and the man wrapping his hand in a bandage. He moves is wrapped hand, just as he hears a door opening. He quickly turns his head. As another boy walks into the toilet, the man puts away a gun, and we get a close-up of his face in shadow. He say’s “Bad move, kid” and the screen fade to black. Gunshots sound loudly.

B) How is the narrative flow established?

Each shot is orders so that the right information is given in order for the audience to understand what is happening. The first shot is of the toilet door, establishing the setting. The next shots are mid-shots and low-angle shots, concealing parts of the man, in order to add mystery. The following close-ups of some objects and blood being washed away add even more mystery, the blood especially creating an eerie atmosphere. Unless for effect, such as in the extreme close-up in shot 11, mid-shots are used to show the audience what is happening in the scene. Although each shot cuts to the next one, suggesting a sudden change, each shot relates to the next one, so that the flow of the story is smooth and not too confusing. Camera movement is used to show where things are in relation to each other, such as showing the audience, by using tilt, that the legs in the last frame belong to the man now pictured.

C) If you were directing this sequence, what aspects of the storyboard would you like to change?

If I was directing this sequence, I would either remove shot 4, the close-up of objects, or add another shot in explanation. It is unclear at the moment what their relationship to the characters or events is. I also think that the close-up of the blood in the sink is slightly misleading or confusing; the audience are left unsure of where it has come from. However I also think that this adds a sense of mystery to the sequence, which is necessary for achieving the eerie atmosphere of a thriller.