Movie Conventions Research: Bird Box

 

  • Common CAMS in the movie  


    This movie mostly used eye level shots throughout. There was low angles and high angles but not as frequent. Throughout this movie, a wide angle was common, as well as pan shots. This was necessary to show all of the action occurring in the scene. 


  • Common CLAMPS in the movie 

    The costumes were often basic with subtle colors and no statement pieces. One main theme throughout the movie was that the clothes were almost always very dirty. During the film, a blindfold was also a common piece. 

    The lighting was generally dim since this movie also had a horror subcategory. At the beginning when everything was normal, the lighting was bright and natural. After the main issue arose, they would often show a street with dim lighting and abandoned cars and houses.  

    The most prominent acting in this film is the characters’ emotional acting. In this thriller there is not much physical acting, as the characters are blind-folded most of the movie. The protagonist was able to convey the most essential feelings of a thriller with horror subcategories. This includes fear, stress, anxiety, and sadness.  

    Makeup in this movie was a bit limited, but the most prominent use of makeup was the ‘dirty’ effect on the characters. For most of the movie, they were covered in dirt and have a “no shower” look. They also used special effects makeup frequently especially in the scenes where the civilians were seemingly going crazy. 

    Some examples of props used were a bird cage, a boat with paddles, and most popularly, a blindfold. This built towards a main theme of the movie, that the characters could not look at the monsters. 

    Setting examples include an abandoned town and a forest. In this town, all of the people have left or have died because of the main antagonist, the monsters. They were in the forest to try and hide and find shelter. 


  • Common Sound in the movie 


    Non diegetic sound was used most frequently. Diegetic sound was not common. The biggest use of sound was suspenseful and “creepy” music to indicate something was about to happen. 


  • Common Editing in the movie 


    The most common editing techniques were basic jump cuts and cutaways. There was not a lot of extravagant editing in this movie and special effects were not common as we did not see the monster. 


  • Elements of the Genre in the movie 


    This movie used jump scares, suspense, high stakes, and a cliffhanger ending. With this cliffhanger, they also give the possibility for a sequel. It is also action packed as a thriller film should be. 


    What elements of the genre did the movie have that you like? 


    I liked the element of suspense, because it had viewers at the edge of their seat waiting to see what would happen next. I also liked the use of jump scares and a high stakes plot. I also enjoyed how action-packed this movie was and how it had such high stakes. 


  • What elements of the genre did the movie have that do not appeal to you? 


    I did not like the use of the cliffhanger. Although the movie ended on a positive note, the characters’ problems were not resolved. I also did not like the sense of silence from the horror side of the film. I prefer to have constant action music and talking and problem resolving. 

  Bird Box (2018) - IMDb

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