Alfred Hitchcock's Movie Psycho Does Term Paper

However, in Psycho, the main character dies at the end of Act 1.

Given that Psycho varies so significantly from Syd Field's classic three act paradigm, it is possible to define a new paradigm based on Pyscho's plot structure. Psycho follows Field's three act paradigm during Act 1, where the main character, and his or her situation, is outlined. However, the plot point at the end of Act 1 can be seen as turning point, where the story changes substantially from the events set out in Act 1. This differs significantly from Field's inciting incident at the end of Act 1.

In Pyscho's Act 2, new characters are introduced (like the detective), and formerly minor characters (Sam and Marion's sister) develop as the main characters. At the end of Act 2, there is a plot point, which I will call the crisis point, where the newly developed main characters (Sam and Marion's sister) come into peril.This contrasts with Field's second plot point at the end of Act 2, where the main character usually achieves a goal

In Psycho's Act 3, the resolution, the crisis created in the crisis plot point at the end of Act 2 is resolved during the movie's climax. The climax occurs when Sam physically wrestles the knife from Norman, and Norman is captured by the police.

Alfred Hitchcock likely deviated from the three act paradigm for the shock value. He likely knew that killing off the main character at the end of Act 1 would be completely unexpected. This deviation helps create the movies famous suspense and shock.

In conclusion, Alfred Hitchcock's movie Psycho can be seen to follow a different paradigm than Syd Field's classic three act paradigm for screenwriting. It is this variation from the expected plot, as outlined by Field's three act paradigm, that makes Psycho so suspenseful and.....