Psycho
Plot: Psycho tells the story of Marion Crane, who steals $40,000 from her employer. She leaves her home in Phoenix, Arizona and ends up at the Bates Motel in Fairvale, California. The motel is run by mother-fixated Norman Bates.
At the beginning of the film, there is a reverse fade to black with a title on the screen. The font displayed is white sans-serif and displays the composer name. Then, the said title disappears by using a pushed-off transition. This is a rather aggressive transition and may hint at the films' content as it could be a rather violent film. The transition also indicates the theme of cutting which is also a violent act and could be a significant theme in the film. This adds to the narrative enigma and could result in questions being asked by audiences. The non-diegetic music layered over the top of this is incidental. It is a built-up soundtrack and therefore creates a tense and suspenseful feeling. It has no real percussion or rhythm and is a rather high-pitched sounding music choice. The instruments used are primarily string and this creates a loud and eerie sound as it squeaks slightly, allowing a potential anxiety to flow through and rub off on the audience. This could suggest that the audience could begin questioning the plot of the film to be violent. The ambience also contributes to this and it also adds to the narrative enigma. After a while, the loud music fades. Once that occurs, there is a long shot displayed of an urban area. There is a text box that states 'PHOENIX, ARIZONA' which clearly indicates that it is an American city. There is a pan of this city and another type of music occurs which is jumpy, therefore creating a sense of tension and suspense. The audience then can witness the Arizonian city and take in the modernity of it. This is less sinister than other thriller openings and instead suggests that the place is friendly and luxurious. The location of this is seen as rather significant to the film so that is why it is a clear pan shot. 
Moving on from this, there is another title which states 'FRIDAY DECEMBER THE ELEVENTH'. This suggests that the date is significant as this is where the story begins and therefore may be important for the audience to understand. This title is layered on another pan shot of the urban city. The same music is utilised and is rather calming however also rather tense. As well as this, yet another title appears on screen which says 'TWO FORTY-THREE P.M.'. This title was not layered over a pan, but instead a zoom of the city into a window. The shot then is a close up/extreme close up. This effect is rather clever as it gives the impression that it has actually entered the room.
Low-key lighting is then visible in the next shot when the camera is in the window. A pan is then used to show all aspects of the room which consists of a simple display of furniture, and then a mid-shot displaying a woman lying on a basic bed with a male stood beside her. The male is the protagonist of the film and due to the woman also being there, it suggests that they have a relationship and that it is rather sexual. This is also illustrated as the woman's costume consists of expensive lingerie and her hair styled to perfection. As well as this, the man protagonist is only wearing dark trousers and is shirtless. This indicates their intimate relationship and although they seem rather well-off, their apartment shows that they do not have luxuries and therefore lead a very simple life. In this shot, the protagonist asks a very short question which is the first piece of dialogue in the film. There is then a cut away of a lunch which is a close-up. It is referring to his question when he asks her if she has eaten it. The male is then seen in a mid-shot and the audience is then able to see him properly as he is- shirtless. The woman then answers him briefly, saying that she should go back to the office and that her boss and her do not have a very good relationship together. There are a few more shots, one of which shows a moment of passion as the man kisses the woman and addresses her once more.
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