I’m studying for my History class and need an explanation.
VERTIGO
1. Do the reading for this unit on the music of Herrmann in Vertigo. Click here to go to the reading.
ANSWER: Using your textbook, define “ostinato”. How does Herrmann use ostinato – what effect does this compositional technique create in the viewer? Cite your sources.
2. Find the clip “Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958)”
a. Watch this clip TWICE! First with NO SOUND, second time WITH SOUND!
b. ANSWER: What information does the music give you about the characters that you would not know otherwise (there is no dialogue in this scene).
3. Find the clip “Vertigo (10/11) Movie CLIP – Judy Becomes Madeleine (1958)” on the Viewing and Listening page in the Unit: Movie Music 1
a. Watch the entire clip.
b. ANSWER: How does Herrmann’s music work in this scene? At what point in the action does the music reach its high point? How is this reflected in the visual (the lighting effects in particular?) Cite your sources.
