Comparison of the films Psycho and Scream Essay Example

Comparison of the films Psycho and Scream Essay Example Comparison of the films Psycho and Scream Paper Comparison of the films Psycho and Scream Paper Essay Topic: Film The film Psycho would have shocked the audience when the film was first released in 1960, and due to the well thought out story line and unpredictable ending, still would have the audience captivated in the year 2002. Hitchcock kept pushing the boundaries as to how far a horror film could go. This kept the audience in shock and excitement as this kind of imagery had never before been seen at this time. The nudity shown on screen would also have shocked the audience because normally at the time, (1960) the viewer would not be used to such graphic imagery, however mild it may appear to be today. Hitchcock used many taboo subjects in his films and also graphic scenes. I believe that these scenes were very good at creating publicity and giving a very unique out-look on his work, as it seperates him from other directors. Hitchcock succeeds in creating suspense through-out the film Psycho, especially the shower scene. This would have to be one of Hitchcocks most famous scenes. Hitchcock wanted the audience to believe that Marion Crane was actually getting stabbed, but had to use limited effects due to censors and budget. Hitchcock uses many filming and sound techniques to get the best sequence across to the audience, without making it too violent. Hitchcock used around seventy-eight different camera angles to achieve the best possible murder shot. He also used many different types of camera shots to add to the effect of the scene. Hitchcock varied the lengths of the shots, to give a more frantic feel to the scene, such as a close-up, closely followed by a medium close-up. Another interesting aspect of the stabbing is the way the audience never actually views the knife penetrating the skin. I feel that the scene was more effective without the actual stabbing as it made the viewer imagine what was happening. I believe that Hitchcock had a lot of dedication to his films, as he was willing to go through so many different stages and shots to get his point across, and create suspense and tention with not only the visuals but also the sound. Another part of the film which a modern day viewer may not think was very unusual, was the first scene, which showed Marion sleeping with Sam, despite not being married to him. Normally in the 1960s it would be considered as wrong for a woman to sleep with a man who she is not married to. This showed more evidence of Hitchcock taking risks and going against usual old fashioned morals. I strongly believe that this began mordernising the film industry. I have chosen to compare Psycho to,Scream, as I believe that both directors where trying to break out of the predictable horror movie cycle, which had been rampant during thses times. Scream had a much larger budget than Psycho, and was released many years later in 1996. Since it was released in October of 1996, it has made over $86 million dollars, and two sequels have been released. Wes Craven (The director of Scream), is also famous for other blosckbuster movies such as, I know what you did last summer, I still know what you did last summer and The mind ripper. Craven has in each maintained a gripping dedication to the genre that he was made famous for, horror. Craven is a modern day director and is therefore able to use things like sex, nudity and graphic scenes of violence, freely and without as many restrictions as Hitchcock. Who had to work around these problems. Craven also uses many unpredictable story lines and plots in his films to create suspense, just as though Hitchcock did in many of his films. Cravens films mainly consist of a killer, victims, a motive and without a doubt, fear. Horror movies in the past may have seemed to be very predictable, so an avid or experienced horror film viewer, would have some preconseptions of a teen horror movie. As most modern teen horror films are usually predictable and have identical or similar story lines as those made previously. Many modern day teen horror films usually contain basic survival rules. Such as the main character remaining a virgin, and not drinking or taking drugs. These types of characters are mainly portraid as strong minded individuals, who only end up being killed if they take part in any of the previously mentioned activities. A lot of modern teen horror films contain phrases like, whos there? or Ill be right back, coincidentally if a person says them, they will inevitably be murdered. Craven abandons these predictable out comes in Scream when the main character, Sydney Prescott, loses her virginity, drinks and actually lives to be in the two sequals. These new ideas and abandoning old ways whilst bringing in new convention, create more suspense and leave the film very unpredictable to the audience. Just as though Hitchcocks Psycho did. In conclusion I believe that without Hitchcock starting, what I would call a revolution in the film industry; by pushing the limits and using low cost effects to create a more realistic cinematic experience. The film industry would not be as decensortised as it is today. I also believe that Wes Craven plays a big part in modern day films as he is, like Hitchcock, inventing new and less predictable ideas, therefore challenging directors to come up with more inavative films.

Great Study Tips for the GRE Vocabulary Section

Great Study Tips for the GRE Vocabulary Section If youre planning to apply to graduate school, youll need to pass the GRE General Test, which includes an extensive vocabulary section. Not only do you need to master the reading comprehension questions, you need to knock the sentence equivalence questions and text completions out of the ballpark. Its challenging, but with adequate preparation, you can pass. Getting Ready for the GRE The key to success is to allow yourself plenty of time to study for the GRE. This isnt something you can cram for a few days out. Experts say you should begin studying 60 to 90 days before the exam is scheduled. Start by taking a diagnostic test. These exams, which are very similar to the actual GRE, will allow you to measure your verbal and quantitative skills and give you a good idea of what your strengths and weaknesses are. ETS, the company that created the GRE, offers ​free review tests on its website.   Create a Study Plan Use your diagnostic test results to craft a study plan that focuses on the areas where you need the most improvement. Create a weekly schedule for review. A good baseline is to study four days a week, 90 minutes a day. Divide your study time into three 30-minute chunks, each that addresses a different topic, and be sure to take breaks in between each session. Kaplan, a company dedicated to helping students review for tests like the GRE, offers detailed sample study schedules on its website. Retake the diagnostic test after four, six, and eight weeks of review to measure your progress. Hit the Books and Tap the Apps There is no shortage of reference books available to help you study for the GRE vocabulary test. Kaplans GRE Prep Plus and GRE Prep by Magoosh are two highly rated prep books available. Youll find sample tests, practice questions and answers, and extensive vocabulary lists. There are also a number of GRE study apps available, too. Some of the best include GRE from Arcadia and Magoosh GRE Prep. Use Vocabulary Flashcards Another reason why you want to begin studying 60 to 90 days before taking the GRE is that theres a lot of information youll need to memorize. A good place to begin is with a list of the top GRE vocabulary words that appear most often on the test. Both Grockit and Kaplanoffer free vocabulary lists. Flashcards can be another useful tool. If you find yourself struggling to memorize a long list of words,  try memorizing word groups, a small list of words (10 or so) arranged by theme into subcategories. Instead of memorizing words like  acclaim, accolade  and  venerate  in isolation, youd remember that they all fall under the theme of praise, and suddenly, theyre easier to remember.   Some people find it useful to organize vocabulary words according to their Greek or Latin roots.  Learning one root means learning 5-10 words or more in one shot. For example, if you can remember that the root ambul means to go, then you also know that words like amble, ambulatory, perambulator, and somnambulist have something to do with going somewhere. Other Study Tips Studying for the GRE vocabulary test is hard enough by yourself. Reach out to friends who are taking the GRE or have taken it in the past and ask them if theyll spend time helping you review. Start by having them give you vocabulary words to define, then change it up by having them give you definitions and responding with the correct word. Vocabulary games can also be a novel way to review. Most GRE study apps incorporate games into their study plans, and you can find them online at sites such as Quizlet, FreeRice,  and  Cram. Are you still finding yourself getting stuck on certain vocabulary words? Try creating  picture pages  for the words that keep eluding you. Remember, studying for the GRE vocabulary test takes time. Be patient with yourself, take frequent study breaks, and reach out to friends for help if and when you need it.