Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards

 

Previously I looked into a comic and in that post I mentioned something about storyboards and how they can be useful for making a cohesive and inventive product. Animation mostly uses storyboards unless if live action movies use them for it's setting. Also most of the old movies whether it's their script or behind-the-scenes footage is rare to find. 

You know who you didn't expect had a storyboard art crew? Alfred Hitchcock, who made some of the most iconic, well thought-out creative movies of all time. 

The Birds (1963) I first experienced watching on DVD, there was sorta of a scrapped ending that wasn't in the final product. The film became a Hitchcock staple, it had a ton of storyboard art. It's incredible. I researched into comparisons of each scene.

I like the addition of arrows with the scenes of Melanie so that it's easy to understand her reaction by distinctive shots. 

 One of the latest Hitchcock movies I seen was Vertigo (1958). Was easy for me to appreciate this film, since I respect Stewart's work. It looked so gorgeous with incredible effects. The scene above is the famous church scene with the staircase. 

Scottie is so cute in these drawings. The sketches of the camera angles are also very pleasent and detailed.

I researched into Pyscho and while I haven't watched it yet, it definitely has more explicit moments that isn't suitable for all audiences. Anyways just great drawings by Saul Bass. He's also well known for creating iconic movie posters like West Side Story and The Shining.

Here's one I'm definitely familiar with. Strangers On A Train. Such a fantastic movie, this gives me back recent memories of the amusement park scene. 

These were more rare to find as I looked into a video. I just always loved when Hitchcock could almost do the impossible like when Cary Grant would climb onto Mount Rushmore. Seriously one of the coolest scenes in movie history, and similarly back in 1942, Saboteur had an intense climax of the characters atop of The Statue of Liberty. Okay, I need to look more into this film immediately.

I absolutely appreciate alot of these since I like creating stuff myself and directors like Hitchcock give me an inspiration to make something exicting and passionate. Sure I'm not only focusing on his work. Some of my favorite movies are from other great movie directors.

I like these close-up shots. Melanie's bleeding. I like blood in B&W, it's sorta dramatic than how it's realistic portrayed in Technicolor but I still thought they did it artistically well in the actual movie. I also like how more cartoony she looks, like the face, now I need an animated version of this!

Sometimes the storyboards aren't always drawn as in the final product or aren't as detailed and stunning as in his later works, but I still like them. I like how in this scene from Notorious (1946), informs how many times a certain amount of people should kiss Alicia's hand. 

I'm starting my own storyboards myself. I know that they don't look fully detailed and cinematic yet but with the addition of words and narration? See for yourself.

Willing to buy the book very soon. I can't wait to look more into these whenever I get the chance.

Unique Camera Angles from Old Movies

 

Here's some camera angles I find distinctive and useful for inspiration. Since I'm an artist, particularly both hand-drawn and digital, and soon starting animation. I experience cinema very differently. I personally have a unique interest in inventive scenes from old movies, since I'm drawn to actors/actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Also it makes films with creativity blooming effects and passion more enjoyable, at least to me.

Usually when I'm watching a movie, I just watch the characters talk, follow through the premise and easily appreciate them, but sometimes a film is so impactful, I could swear I wasn't watching just a movie at all, felt like a real experience and actors aren't acting their roles, they LIVE their roles.

Something about movies resonates me. I can relate to these movies. They aren't short cartoons just to laugh at.

A Streetcar Named Desire, The Grapes Of Wrath, It's A Wonderful Life, North By Northwest, Strangers On A Train, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, all of those movies have a certain element to them whether it's the performances, the writing, etc. 

This scene is from The Killers (1946). I have actually never heard of this movie until now. Apparently it's a mystery, and people enjoy it, so I might give it a chance. I like this shot because you can directly see the woman staring at an actor I'm familiar with Burt Lancaster. The whole situation looks amusing. 

It's definitely an appealing scene.

Next is Suspicion (1941), I'm a fan of both Hitchcock and Grant, I'll get to another scene of them shortly, but this is by far the most iconic shots of the movie. We don't get to see Cary's face, it's almost completely silhouette. The shadow effect of the stairs is also outstanding.

I recently watched Touch By Evil (1958) a film directed by Orson Welles. He's by far my favorite directors when it comes to the cinematography and camera angles as I stated in his other films like Citizen Kane and Mr. Arkadin. This shot is just chef's kiss. It's so serious but sophisticated. I like that tough look on Orson's face. Also it being B&W while Technicolor was considered a standard process at this point, fit the film best.

Time for another Hitchcock movie starring Cary Grant, Notorious (1946). 

Unlike Suspicion, I actually watched this film, and while I wouldn't say it's great, it's got a great scene in it. The whole scene is focused on Alicia's point of view as Devlin walks into the room and the camera starts to move downwards. It's satisfying.

Lastly for now is the close-up of Miriam's glasses from Strangers On A Train (1951). This is such a great shot in particular showcasing Bruno's utter mysterious but abusive behavior. I'm not going into too much spoilers even for a movie made 75 years ago. 

And that's all I have for now. I may as well be doing a Part 2, maybe Technicolor version? Yet I haven't seen too much of old movies in color, but I'll definitely be on that trail very shortly. Besides I've shown you pictures from movies I have not yet seen so it is possible. 

My Favorite Hitchcock Movie So Far

 

January I was on a movie spree, mostly watching the classics, my preferred decades 30s-mid 60s and I've just been having such an enjoyable time watching movies from incredibly talented directors, one of them I seem to admire as of now is Alfred Hitchcock. So far I have watched 5 of his films. I'm planning to just stick to his most likeable and iconic films in particular.

My favorite so far is North By Northwest (1959). This is probably Grant at his absolute coolest. I absolutely loved the acting, and the cinematography is just phenomenal. What I didn't expect from these specific movies is an actual music score. I'm starting to love Bernard Herrmann's music. I love good ol' intensity in the orchestra and it does a stellar job at it.

All images taken from FILMGRAB.

While I was watching the movie I was waiting for the most beautiful scenes of the film. Not to say I dislike ANYTHING from the movie, I didn't, but I just absolutely love these landscapes. They're natural and almost surreal in a way I expect to live in the 50s with it's correct color schemes, cities, and vehicles.

I like the look of these buildings, it's full of personality, I also have to mention the pacing of this film. It's perfect. It doesn't have actions that go on way too quick, no quick cuts, I'm starting to just like 2 hour films for that reason. 

I'm including one character-oriented scene, this is what got me into the film in the first place. Cary Grant in sunglasses! Sometimes I like pictures of movie stars. I mostly like their more standout portraits like shots from actual film recording. 

I like all the characters in this film. Eve Kendell in particular is one of the best female leads ever. 

This view of the train is so GOOD! It appears quite a few times and to me it's breathtaking. Now you guys can have this scene long as possible!

I always liked the uniqueness of Mount Rushmore, it's hard for me to not like it because I'm not personally a fan of carved idolatry work, but I feel like they created it in honor of the most appreciated presidents of The United States. Once they shown it on screen, I was ready for what was going to happen next.

This clip below is one of my favorite parts of the movie. I think it's one of the most massive, cinematic scenes I seen in quite some time. 

Some mild spoilers if you haven't seen it and want to watch the full movie yourself, but this isn't particuarly the final scene of the movie so don't hesitate.

North By Northwest is just fantastic. I enjoy when I watch a movie that makes me impressed and it inspires a little tint of my creativity, and this movie is no exception. As someone who's more animation oriented, these classic movies use inventive concepts that remind me of what I like about cartoons, in fact it's the best approach in creating something impressive. That's why when I watch movies directed by Hitchcock, Donen, Welles, and Capra they keep me invested with it's compelling characters, creative cinematography, memorable acting, sensible dialogue, and absolutely almost no filler at all.

Expect for me to look for another gem from the cinema archive. I watched 23 films last month. 

Rich Natural Colors In Pulp Art & Films

 

Sometimes my style of art changes. As of now I seem to enjoy muted yet pleasing color schemes and pulp art!

I like these neutral colors. This was painted by Andrew Loomis. 

Smart color styling altogether. I used 4 colors that fit the image very well. Reds, blacks, beige.

Here's another incredible one by Perry Peterson. 

Again, I love the beige, it's not too lame like today's fashion standards apparently.

There's great color from a movie I watched recently called Rear Window (1954). I absolutely loved it. I seen a few images on FILMGRAB that were my favorite scenery in the entire film. Those clouds are gorgeous. 

Obviously this film is directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and he's known for having the best cinematography and visual effects I ever seen. He was amazing and it reminds me of his other movies with the city vibe like Rope (1948).

Also in addition, here's this cool movie poster with a limited color palette of course.

As for another Hitchcock film, The Birds (1963) also has some astounding background shots. I also watched the movie, but it was on a much different ratio. I still really like this screencap, this by far has the best colors I seen in just one movie image. So pleasing!

I have some more vintage "pulp art" I downloaded.

Another great painting by Andrew Loomis. I have talked about him before on my blog if you want to click the link. 

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/my-type-of-art-paintings-galorevintage.html?m=1

This one I know the name of and is painted by Austin Briggs "Flight Into Darkness". Those yellows are nostalgic to me. It's weird to say but it reminds me of lava lamps.

Now how about more fictional characters and settings? I love me some Juanjo Guarnido artwork. His art is what I want to create myself. Just anthropomorphic animals acting out as live-action humans in serious territory. This is one of my favorites from him. It gives off movie model vibes. I adore this.

Most animated cartoons I talked about on this blog already have some great color styling. But I haven't talked about What's Brewin Bruin? (1948) yet. It's one of my favorite of the Three Bears cartoons. They're funny and I always loved them ever since I first experienced them. 

This alongside The Bee Deviled Bruin has some great backgrounds of the rocks. Peter Alvarado is credited for the background art. 

And finally for now is J.C Leyendecker, I don't think I praised him enough for his early artwork. This one's from 1906! Almost a century and 2 decades ago! Great stuff. 

The Band Wagon (1953) + Other Movies

 

Well, it's that time of month, Happy Holidays everyone! 

Anyways, I want to start fairly normal right now. It's officially been a year since I did a series of posts that were ideas for an Artmania Christmas Special and to be honest, I'm not exactly sure about the whole thing. I changed my style a little more and became less keen on movies without a coherent plot whatsoever.

Recently I went on [FILMGRAB] and was inspired by pictures online, they felt like the best bits from the actual movies. 

It's been exactly 5 months since I last watched The Band Wagon (1953), it's still mostly phenomenal work to this day despite some of the characters. 

MGM musicals. While there isn't too much structure, their Technicolor movies are beautiful and have the best songs in cinema, that's why I easily like them especially when they create novelty sequences most of the time. 

This movie is well-known for the third act. It's like nothing you'd ever see in older movies, so much effort and creativity, yet it moves at an equitable pace. Look at the red staircases and the camera angle. It's satisfying.

 

Here's another example from The 39 Steps, I bought it on DVD and it did not look like the scenes above mostly because I bought it at the flea market and expected it to be somewhat decent. 

This movie has great cinematography. However, I just wasn't too amused by the rest.

I was slightly disappointed after watching the movie because I expected something more cruel, and frightening, it's mostly mellow and doesn't have too much storywise which is why it didn't really do anything for me.

Now am I judging or criticizing these films harshly? No. These were products at the time, and it's fair for me to express my opinions on a certain film. I have not once ever watched a film that ruined me ever, none of the films I watched wasted my time because why is that a considerably good thing to say? Nothing is a waste of time, it's part of learning and knowing your perspective.

I honestly like experiencing new things almost all the time. I would never know whenever I like a film or not. Here's another B&W movie, Winter Light (1963). It's a better paced film than The 39 Steps (1935). Realistic dialogue, a story that expresses real situations and events and more focus. It's a great film with a mix of Christian imagery.

Now if you mixed Winter Light and The Band Wagon simultaneously, it's something I would equally be interested in creating the most.

The Band Wagon (1953) has magnificent color schemes while Winter Light (1963) has phenomenal acting and pacing.

I don't remember everything from The Band Wagon, but this reminds me of Fantasia (1940) I have no idea if this was supposed to be animated, not gonna lie I doubt it but I could imagine it like that. The two-tone colors are incredible, it could give a more abstract meaning on what's behind the situation or thought just like with Gene Kelly's fantasies with films like An American In Paris, and Anchor's Aweigh.

I wouldn't change everything with my Christmas posts from last year. I felt like some of the concepts would work perfectly.

Dredd The Moose at the start would come along and sing White Christmas to homeless men. 

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/artmania-christmas-special-other.html?m=1