Examining Camera Techniques in Hitchcock's North by Northwest

In Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, techniques such as camera distance, camera movement and editing all contribute to the visual structure, suspense and narrative of the film.

The camera distance and movement present the viewer with a sense of compositional space while the editing emphasizes dramatic focus, establishes a certain tempo and allows the viewer to follow the story in a logical manner.

In one particular scene early in the film, the camera views Roger Thornhill, the protagonist, entering the building through an extreme long shot. Although Thornhill cannot be clearly identified, the viewer assumes that Thornhill has entered the building.

However, in the next long shot, the viewer can now clearly make out Thornhill with his blue suit as he enters the lobby room.

After Thornhill enters the lobby, the camera follows him to the front desk. Hitchcock's use of the long shot gives the viewer a sense of the environment around the subject or focal point of the shot. The viewer identifies the location of the scene as well as the other background action occurring at the moment.

As he reaches the front desk, Hitchcock cuts to a medium shot to center the action between Thornhill and the secretary. A medium shot here allows the viewer to focus on the conversation between Thornhill and the secretary. Thornhill asks the secretary if he could see Mr. Townsend as the camera slowly pans back toward the front of the lobby to show the presence of the villain waiting to take part in the action.

While the viewers to begin to recognize the villain, the camera tracks in to give the audience a closer look. Hitchcock's camera movement allows the viewer to clearly locate the two significant characters-Thornhill and the villain-as well as their locations.

Throughout the middle of the scene, the camera uses little variation in its distance and movement.