Measuring Financial Performance Example

Essays on Measuring Financial Performance Assignment Measuring Financial Performance Table of contents Introduction †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦..3 Importance of financial performance appraisal ..................................................†¦3 Employees’ motivation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦.†¦.3 Charting progress†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....4 Enhancing good relations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦4 Profitability ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦;†¦5 Working capital ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.6 Limitations of financial ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦7 Overtrading†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....8 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 Reference list†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.11 Introduction The financial progress of a firm is very crucial in determining future growth. The aim of any firm is to maintain a positive financial performance throughout the business life. In essence, the future life of a business concern is usually uncertain and, therefore, it is necessary to conduct regular financial appraisal to assess the financial progress of a company. Sandler Keefe (2004) argue that performance appraisal can be described as a systematic process that involves monitoring and assessing performance of individuals towards achieving the established organisational goals. Several studies have revealed that performance appraisal has become very popular among modern business enterprises. Essentially, it is imperative to note that there are various benefits that a firm enjoys for having an organised appraisal of its financial performance. Apparently, some of the reasons why it is imperative for companies to appraise their financial performance include employees’ motivation, enhancing good relations and charting progress. Importance of financial performance appraisal Employees’ motivation Appraisal of the financial performance assesses the performance of the employees in various departments. In this regard, employees are obliged to be accountable for the financial transaction then engage in daily. Therefore, it can be observed that appraisal of financial performance promotes employees’ efficiency. In essence, financial performance appraisal is an effective motivational technique for employees. In most cases, companies offer attractive packages such as bonuses and paid holidays to employees who portray outstanding performance. As a result, the workforce is motivated to perform to the best of its ability to benefit from the rewards offered by the company. Moreover, performance appraisal motivates the management to establish structures that promote positive development of the company. Charting progress Financial performance appraisal aids in tracking the progress of a company on the basis of financial transaction. In essence, regular appraisal facilitates comparison of financial performance between various fiscal periods. In this regard, a company gets the foundation to base future cash flow projections. Basically, financial planning is usually based on the past cash flow patterns and, therefore, financial performance appraisal proves to be an effective planning tool. In addition, it is a measure of improvement that employees and the company can use to assess their ability to deliver. In addition, decisions such as demotions, salary increment and promotions are usually based on the performance appraisal reports. Therefore, it is clear that financial performance appraisal can be an appropriate approach to ensuring positive progressive results. Enhancing good relations Financial performance appraisal involves the management team meeting the company’s employees. Essentially, regular meetings between the employees and the company management create good relations in the workplace. Moreover, effective communication is enhanced thereby promoting appropriate means of problem-solving within the organization. Consequently, the employees get a chance to share work experience and challenges thereby promoting the quality of performance. In essence, it can be observed that financial performance appraisal is a sound mechanism for bringing the company’s workforce together. In addition, it strengthens the union between the employer and the employees’ thereby boosting performance. Profitability ratios John Lewis Partnership plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014. Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=ssource=webcd=4cad=rjauact=8ved=0CDUQFjADurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewispartnership.co.uk%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fcws%2Fpdfs%2Ffinancials%2Fannual%2520reports%2FJLP-annual-report-and-accounts-2014.pdfei=p0lnVfvPHIeU7QaL7oLABAusg=AFQjCNH0wNB_y22wp3XxZD_qM9GfR8AWFwsig2=Qbi_YQ4O6bSCAU60wh6cFQbvm=bv.93990622,d.ZGU a) Gross profit ratio 2014 Gross profit ratio = gross profit/ sales *100 3018.9/ 10171.5*100= 29.679988 2013 Gross profit ration= 2825.4/9541.3*100 =29.612317 b) Net profit ratio 2014 Net profit ratio= net profit/sales*100 -9.7/10171.5*100 =-0.0953645 2013 Net profit ratio = 3.7/9541.3*100 =0.03877878 c) Return on Net Assets (RONA) 2014 329.1/ (5524-1705.6)*100 =8.6187932 2013 RONA= 343.3/ (5363.6-1633.9) =9.2044937 Working capital ratios a) Debtor days 2014 Debtor days = (Trade debtors/credit sales)*365 = (225.9/10171.5)*365 =8 days 2013 Debtor days = (191.1/9541.3)*365 =192.1/9541.3*365 =7 days b) Creditor days 2014 Creditor days = trade creditors/purchases * 365 =135.5/10171.5*365 =5 days 2013 Creditor days= 119.3/9541.3*365 =6 days c) Stock turnover days 2014 Stock turnover days= inventory/cost of sales * 365 =554/6008.9*365 =34 days 2013 Stock turnover days = 514/5640.1*365 =33 days Limitations of financial ratios Narrow coverage Apparently, financial ratios are only fit for companies that deal with limited line of products or services. Essentially, companies that deal with a number of lines of production may not enjoy the benefits of using the financial ratios for analysis. Actually, the more complex an organization is, the more complex it is to employ ratio analysis techniques. Therefore, it can be learnt that the use of financial ratios is not appropriate for large companies. Basically, large companies have many transactions taking place simultaneously and, therefore, assessing the progress of such transactions can be very challenging. In this case, use of financial ratios cannot serve as effective analysis tools. Unreliable Ratio analysis is based on the available financial statements of the company. In this regard, malicious recording of transaction in the company’s books of account might result in misleading analysis (Ogilvie Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. (2008). In essence, a company might manipulate its financial records to please the promoters or external investors. In this regard, using the various ratios to analysis such records will be erroneous since there are founded on malice. Therefore, ratio analysis is not a perfect mechanism for assessing a company’s progress since it is difficult to ascertain the credibility of the financial records. For this reason, companies should never over rely on ratio analysis to evaluate performance. It is customarily logical to employ a variety of mechanisms to analyse a company’s financial performance rather than over relying on a single mechanism. Seasonal changes The financial performance of a company is affected by many factors. Therefore, these factors affect the cash flows generated every financial year. As a result, understanding the seasonal changes of cash flows for a company might be very difficult. In this regard, ratio analysis is not effective in assessing financial performance of a company that experience irregular and unpredictable cash flows. Moreover, seasonal changes affect the historical ratio analysis of the company. Overtrading This refers to a situation where a company’s sales grow at a rate that the company is not able to finance. The situation leads to accumulation of accounts payable or accounts receivables thereby leading to insufficiency of working capital (Harvard Business School, 2009). Some of the causes of overtrading include over-investment in fixed assets, excessive drawings and misappropriation of business funds. Essentially, over-investment in fixed assets leaves the company with little or no capital to run the daily operations. In this regard, the company ends up in overtrading. In addition, excessive drawings cause financial shortage thereby resulting overtrading in the long run. Moreover, misappropriation of funds also causes over trading. Basically, misappropriation of funds leaves important projects unattended to thereby causing financial troubles a company. Conclusion Business concerns have established diverse mechanisms to handle challenges that they face in their daily operations. Financial performance appraisal has emerged as one of the best strategies for measuring a company’s progress. In essence, business scholars have cited various benefits for using performance appraisal in assessing financial progress. Some of the benefits include employees’ motivation, tracking a company’s progress, and promoting friendly relations among the employees and between the employees and the employer. Basically, financial ratios aid in the analysis of financial performance of a firm. However, the ratios are associated with several limitations that affect their efficiency. Research has shown that financial ratios do not handle the problem of misleading recording of financial transactions. In addition, ratio analysis for large companies is ineffective. Moreover, ratio analysis does not address the problem of unpredictable cash flows of a comp any. In this regard, companies should be cautious on basing their financial plans on the ratio analysis results. In fact companies should have various alternatives for tracking financial progress and performance. Over relying on one method can be very disastrous to the future development of a company. Reference list: Ogilvie, J., Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. (2008).  Management accounting - financial strategy. Oxford: CIMA. Sandler, C., Keefe, J. (2004).  Performance appraisal phrase book: The best words, phrases, and techniques for performance reviews. Avon, Mass: Adams Media. Harvard Business School. (2009).  Performance appraisal: Expert solutions to everyday challenges. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business Press. John Lewis Partnership plc Annual Report and Accounts (2014). Retrieved on 29th may 2015 from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=trct=jq=esrc=ssource=webcd=4cad=rjauact=8ved=0CDUQFjADurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewispartnership.co.uk%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fcws%2Fpdfs%2Ffinancials%2Fannual%2520reports%2FJLP-annual-report-and-accounts-2014.pdfei=p0lnVfvPHIeU7QaL7oLABAusg=AFQjCNH0wNB_y22wp3XxZD_qM9GfR8AWFwsig2=Qbi_YQ4O6bSCAU60wh6cFQbvm=bv.93990622,d.ZGU

Adolescents On-line Free Essays

As technology give way to broader telecommunication options, a new form of social community was formed. The Cyber Community has been one of the most intriguing forms of contemporary society and adolescents welcomed it willingly. Today’s adolescents are vicariously participating in online social networks. We will write a custom essay sample on Adolescents On-line or any similar topic only for you Order Now According to the research made by Wolak and colleague, out of 246 individuals who engaged in close online relationships about 145 do not see each other face to face. Thus, it can be surmised that face to face relationships are not anymore a factor that affects relationships between two persons. Conventional friendships signifies personal contact which is absent in on-line relationships. Nonetheless, both relationships exist so as to provide comfort and help to participants. However, in on-line relationships, the level of trust and confidence is usually lower. While some people see on line relationships to be a way to escape reality, others view this sort of relationship as helpful in identifying real personality and attitude. Adolescents use online networking to communicate both with their online friends and offline friends as well. They can also send messages and express themselves more freely and at most times most effectively. Several online games which are predominantly role-playing games in character also extend adolescents capacity to interact with other people. Negotiating and solving conflicts are highlighted in this kind of virtual social community. It also through different virtual social networks that teenagers can gather information about certain areas of interest and views, this is a feature that can be found in forums and blogs. References: Subrahmanyam, K. and Greenfield, P. (2008). Online Communication and Adolescent Relationships. Volume 18 No. 1. Retrieved on October 18, 2008 from www.futureofchildren.org Wolak, J., Mitchell, KJ. And Finkelhor, D. (2002) Close Online Relationships ina National Sample of Adolescents. Retrieved on October 18, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2248/is_147_37/ai_94598385/pg_ How to cite Adolescents On-line, Papers

Psycho, The Movie Essay Example For Students

Psycho, The Movie Essay From the site: http://geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/7145/ By Esteban Mejia Mesa (2001)Psycho (1960) Perhaps no other film changed so drastically Hollywoods perception of the horror film as did PSYCHO. More surprising is the fact that this still unnerving horror classic was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a filmmaker who never relied upon shock values until this film. Here Hitchcock indulged in nudity, bloodbaths, necrophilia, transvestism, schizophrenia, and a host of other taboos and got away with it, simply because he was Hitchcock. The great director clouded his intent and motives by reportedly stating that the entire film was nothing more than one huge joke. No one laughed. Instead they cringed in their seats, waiting for the next assault on their senses. The violence and bloodletting of PSYCHO may look tame to those who have grown up on Jason and Freddy Krueger, but no one had ever seen anything like it in 1960. Inspired by the life of the demented, cannibalistic Wisconsin killer Ed Gein (whose heinous acts would also inspire THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, 1974 and DERANGED, 1974), PSYCHO is probably Hitchcocks most gruesome and dark film. Its importance to its genre cannot be overestimated. PSYCHOs enduring influence comes not only from the Norman Bates character (who has since been reincarnated in a staggering variety of forms), but also from the psychological themes Hitchcock develops. Enhancing the sustained fright of this film are an excellent cast, from which the director coaxes extraordinary performances, and Bernard Herrmanns chilling score. Especially effective is the composers so-called murder music, high-pitched screeching sounds that flash across the viewers consciousness as quickly as the killers deadly knife. Bernard Herrmann achieved this effect by having a group of violinists frantically saw the same notes over and over again. Hitchcock really shocked Paramount when he demanded that he be allowed to film the sleazy, sensational novel that Robert Bloch based on the Gein killings. Blochs subject matter and characters were a great departure from the sophisticated homicide and refined characters usually found in Hitchcocks films, but the filmmaker kept after the studios front office until the executives relented. He was told, however, that he would have to shoot the film on an extremely limited budgetno more than $800,000. Surprisingly, Hitchcock accepted the budget restrictions and went ahead with the film, utilizing television technical people, who were less expensive than standard Hollywood crews. Moreover, the director, realizing that Paramount expected this to be his first box-office failure, proposed that he finance the film with his own money in return for 60 percent of the profits. Relieved that its own coffers were secure, Paramount agreed to act as the films distributor. But even Hitchcocks close associates refused to believe that he was making a wise decision. His longtime associate producer, Joan Harrison, refused t o take points in this film, opting for a direct salary, telling him Youre on your own on this one, Hitch. After rejecting writer James Cavanaughs adaptation of the Bloch novel, Hitchcock, at the urging of MCA, met briefly with writer Joseph Stefano, who had only one screenplay credit, THE BLACK ORCHID (1959), a less-than-inspiring film starring Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn. Although he had expressed doubts about Stefano (who would later go on to produce The Outer Limits for television), Hitchcock changed his mind after meeting the writer and gave him the green light. When Stefano told Hitchcock that he could not work up much sympathy for a peeping Tom killer in his forties (the age of the murderer in Blochs novel), the director proposed using a much younger character and even suggested to the writer that Perkins get the lead role. When Hitchcock began production on PSYCHO, he was told that he would have to use the facilities at Revue Studios, the television division of Universal S tudios, which Paramount had rented for the making of the film. Although he was unable to use his erstwhile cinematographer, Robert Burks, Hitchcock managed to convince Paramount that his special editor, George Tomasini, should be included in the production. The directors penchant for detail was in full force here. He insisted that Stefano and others scout motels along Route 99 to learn how they operated, who stopped at them, and who ran them. The Bates Motel was then put together on the Universal back lot and was definitely on the seedy side, with a scaled-down The mansion cost only $15,000 to construct and technicians cannibalized several other stock buildings on the lot to keep the costs down, throwing onto the structure a tower that had been part of the Dowd home in HARVEY (1950). Perkins, then only twenty-seven, was hired without the actor even reading the script. The rising young performer owed Paramount one film under his contract and was taken aboard both because Hitchcock th ought him right for the role of Norman Bates and because he would cost little. The role of the female lead was a problem. Hitchcock was reputedly interested in using Shirley Jones, but her salary would have been too high. Instead, he selected Leigh, who was more of a starlet than a star at the time, although this part would change that. The name of the first victim in the novel is Mary Crane, but when Hitchcocks researchers found that a real Mary Crane lived in Phoenixwhere the film beginsLeighs characters name was changed to Marion to avoid lawsuits. Leigh received a copy of the Bloch novel before shooting began, but the director wrote a note to her pointing out that the female victim, who is almost incidental in the novel, would have much more importance in the film. Actually Leigh is on screen for only forty-five minutes before she is slashed to pieces. Leighs relatively rapid departure forces viewers to switch the focus of their attention to Perkins. Hitchcock is able to achieve this transference of audience sympathy by showing Perkinss Norman to be sensitive and oddly compelling, leading viewers to believe that his unseen mother is the culprit. To protect the murderous mothers real identity, Hitchcock announced to the press that he was considering Helen Hayes or Judith Anderson to play the role. This attempt to set up viewers for the surprise ending (an atypical finish for a film by a director who always avoided surprise endings) backfired somewhat when Hitchcock was deluged with wires and letters from actresses asking to be considered for the role of the mother. Originally, the concept for the horrific cadaver was nothing more than a large plastic doll with glass eyes; however, Hitchcock was quick to alter this approach, substituting a sunken-faced, ossified corpse of his own design. He used that cadaver for one of the many offbeat pranks he pulled on Leigh, which the actress took so well that she quickly became one of Hitchcocks favorite performers. Onc e the corpse was created, Hitchcock had it placed in Leighs dressing room so that when she entered and turned on the light the corpse sat grinning at her, causing the actress to let out piercing screams louder and more frightening than her shrieks in the shower scene. The films male lead, Gavin (who would later become the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico), makes considerably less of an impression on viewers than the shower scene. Never Hitchcocks top choice for the impoverished lover turned amateur detective, Gavin, a contract player at Universal (the studio that was renting its facilities to the production), was practically forced on Paramount. Indeed, Hitchcock wanted anybody but Gavin for the role and considered Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Brian Keith, Cliff Robertson, Tom Laughlin, Jack Lord, Robert Loggia (who would have a part in PSYCHO II, 1983), and Rod Taylor (who would star in Hitchcocks THE BIRDS, 1963.) In the end, Hitchcock gave in to pressure from Universal and gave Gavin the less than pivotal role, saying lamely, I guess hell be all right. The shower scene. When it came to that famous shower scene, Hitchcock not only approved of every little detail in the scenefrom toilet to shower nozzlebut he demonstrated every move the killer and victim were to make. The director even showed Perkins exactly how he was to wrap the body in the shower curtain. Ironically, Perkins was not present for the filming of Leighs murder. He later commented: Not many people know this, but I was in New York rehearsing for a play when the shower scene was filmed in Hollywood. It is rather strange to go through life being identified with this sequence knowing that it was my double. Actually the first time I saw PSYCHO and that shower scene was at the studio. I found it really scary. I was just as frightened as anybody else. Working on the picture, though, was one of the happiest filming experiences of my life. We had fun making itnever realizing the impact it would have. It was Hitc hcock who specifically ordered this murder shown as a brutal thing, scribbling in his own hand for shot 116: The slashing. An impression of a knife slashing, as if tearing at the very screen, ripping the film. This filmic slaying is long, terrifying, and gory. Through lightning cuts between Leigh and closeups of the knife striking her body (she is stabbed at least a dozen times) and seemingly piercing her flesh, Hitchcock depictsfor the first time in film historythe bloody realities of violent murder. Reportedly, a fast motion reverse shot was used to give the impression that the knife actually enters Leighs abdomen. Another of the inventive techniques Hitchcock employs in this legendary scene is the way in which he shows the spray coming directly out of the shower nozzle. Jets of water encompass the camera without ever hitting the lens, as if Leigh is looking directly into the nozzle. To achieve this effect, Hitchcock ordered a huge shower nozzle made, then moved his camera in for a closeup. Even though the film was shot on a frenzied schedule of a little over a month, Hitchcock took a full week to shoot the shower scene, directing it from a tower above the set, employing a single cameraman. He had abandoned the use of Technicolor, so as not to make the film more gory than it already was, and washed chocolate sauce down the drain as if it were Leighs blood. A makeup man walked onto the set and looked about and then asked Hitchcock: My dear boy, it will have so much more impact in black and white. Although a stand-in was used for the shots of Leighs corpse wrapped in the plastic curtain on the bathroom floor, Leigh performed the rest of the shower scene herself, though she was concerned about displaying her bosom, even before a few technicians in a closed set. She and aides researched various transparent garments worn by strippers but did not come up with anything that would work. A technician finally came up with an answer, flesh-colored moleskin. But during shooting hot water from the shower undermined this solution. I felt something strange happening around my breasts, Leigh later said. The steam from the hot water had melted the adhesive on the moleskin and I sensed the napped cotton fabric peeling away from my skin. What to do?To spoil the so far successful shot and be modest? Or get it over with and be immodest. I opted for immodestythat was the printed take, and no one noticed my bareness before I could cover it up. I think! (Janet Leigh, There Really Was a Hollywood.) Because he owned so much of the film, Hitchcock turned promotion minded with PSYCHO, devising the entire publicity campaign for his gruesome masterpiece. He insisted that no moviegoer be seated during the showing of the film. He also demanded that even the critics see the film with the audiences from the beginning, which alienated many a reviewer (leading some critics to label the directors work as cruel, sadistic, and even pornographic). The directors response was to say that he had fun with the film. In an interview with French director Franois Truffaut, Hitchcock stated that it was rather exciting to use the camera to deceive the audiencesThe game with the audience was fascinating. I was directing the viewers. You might say I was playing them like an organ I didnt start off to make an important movie. I thought I could have fun with this subject and this situation My main satisfaction is that the film had an effect on the audience I feel its tremendously satisfying for us to be able to use the cinematic art to achieve something of a mass emotion. And with PSYCHO we most definitely achieved this. It wasnt a message that stirred the audiences, nor was it a great performance or their enjoyment of the novel. They were aroused by pure film. Thats why I take pride in the fact that PSYCHO, more than any of my other pictures, is a film that belongs to filmmakers. This was no news to Hitchcocks fans. In a 1947 press conference the great director lai d out his philosophy of the mystery-horror genre: I am to provide the public with beneficial shocks. Civilization has become so protective that were no longer able to get our goose bumps instinctively. The only way to remove the numbness and revive our moral equilibrium is to use artificial means to bring about the shock. The best way to achieve that, it seems to me, is through a movie. PSYCHO provided shocks heard around the world and became an instant smash, breaking all box-office records in its initial release. Hitchcock had a horselaugh on the Paramount executives who wanted no part of PSYCHO from the beginning. The film became one of Paramounts largest grossing pictures and it made Hitchcock not only a master of the modern horror film but also fabulously wealthy. He had outwitted everyonethe industry, the audience, and the critics. The International Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Essay