Title Credit Analysis: Hitchcock's 'The Birds'

In this opening sequence, crows fly across the screen and piece together the opening credits. The lettering is in light blue, creating a stark contrast to the grey background and the black crows. Blue is usually associated with tranquility and calmness, again contrasting the erratic and wild nature of the birds. The special effects/shots of the attacking birds was done by animator/technician Ub Iwerks, who used the sodium vapour process ("yellow screen") which he had helped to develop. The SV process films the subject against a screen lit with narrow-spectrum sodium vapor lights. 
Hitchcock decided to do without any conventional incidental score, deciding instead to make use of sound effects and spare source music in counterpoint to calculated silences and used an electroacoustic Trautonium to create the bird calls and noises. It is a combination of diegetic and non diegetic sound. The sinister non-diegetic 'music' in the sequence, combined with the diegetic sound of the birds sqwaking and flapping creates a sense of impending danger, leading the audience to wonder what the film may be about. 
The space within the frame has been used efficiently. The lettering is a suitable size and the movements of the birds do not distract the viewer too much from reading the credits. The proximity of the birds to screen and the audience (particularly if seen on the convex cinema screen of the time) would have created an atmosphere of discomfort, unease and claustrophobia, especially if a viewer has Ornithophobia. 

AS Media Preliminary Task

AS Media Preliminary Task Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Our media product used match on match action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule to communicate our objectives to the audience.

We used this as the patient walks up the stairs and opens to door into the office. When we first filmed the section, it was messy and untidy, so we attempted to fix it as much as possible in the limited amount of time we had. I find that it can pass as match on match, but that it could be tightened. Our main task consisted mainly of shot reverse shot as it was a conversational piece. In the end, we decided to attempt some more interesting angles in order to prevent our audiences attention waning. Again, I feel that this technique could have been improved by our cameraman. However, as it was her first time filming, I believe it to pass and to convey the expected message. 

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The social groups presented in our film are the mentally disturbed and the professional working class, namely the psychiatrist. The patient has PTSD (post traumatic stress order) and through the limited speech we attempted to communicate the symptoms that a typical person with such a disorder would have. This is difficult to do, as one must primarily rely on the stereotypes of that particular group of people. A usual audience, when told that a person is mentally unstable imagine someone who on the "severe" end of the spectrum- there is rarely a a middle ground. Because of this, we combined the elements to make it more appealing, even if it meant losing a little of its realism.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Our product might be distributed by the internet to show students what A-Level Media work includes or to raise awareness about the  mentally unstable. A further way it might be distributed connected to raising awareness is by having it used a promotional tool (via the internet) to encourage teenagers or young adults to consult professionals if they have or know someone with mental issues.  It might also be distributed simply as entertainment (be that positive or negative).

Who would be the target audience for your media product?

The targeted audience for our media product would be people who are able to appreciate mentally unstable people in society and also individuals with less confidence than others to speak about their problems or psychological issues. A young audience would benefit from this, learning and maybe gaining knowledge about how to connect with some in the position we have demonstrated.  One would also hope that they would gain a  fright, if our media product is to be displayed as a genre of horror.

 How did you attract/ address your audience?

We attracted our audience by giving the impression of a mentally unstable character in our media product seeking help from a psychiatrist, which, if portrayed right, can be gripping. We also established certain traits to both characters to develop a more reserved and not an out-of-place atmosphere. 

What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
 I have learned that technology is essential when editing and filming any piece of motion picture. Furthermore, I have learned that being able to edit a piece of film well depends heavily on how one filmed to begin with. Due to the MACs being made available to us, I have learned that one must first learn how to use certain technology before using it. However, the most important thing I have learned throughout this process is that planning is essential, be it via techonolgy or not. 

Shot Composition

Leading Lines: Direct the viewers' eyes with leading lines. Leading lines are used to direct the focus of the main subject of the shot. Direction of the dominant lines in a picture can also have psychological connonations.

Frames: Horizontal lines should belevel and the vertical lines straight up and down.

Background: Should be simple, not busy and distracting.

Balance: One should use the form of balance that is most appropriate for the subject.  There are two main types of balance:

Symmetrical balance creates a formal appearance.
Asymmetrical balance creates a feeling of movement and suggests a creative and dynamic mood.

 Head room: One should never cut off a subject's head in a still image of video. One should also make sure that there are no lines or wires 'coming out' of the subjects body.

Rule of thirds: Subject should be placed on the intersecting lines or "hotspots".


First four photographs were taken by me. Fifth photograph of Marina Diamantis from her website. Final photograph from smash and peas.

Practice Paper/Exam Question

Practice Paper: Merlin Season 1 Episode 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F6Oblg04SE&feature=channel&list=UL (5:50 onwards)

In this essay I will analyse and discuss the way camera shots, angles and movement represent class and status in this extract from 'Merlin.'

The first shot is a long shot/establishing shot, introducing the audience to the surroundings in which the characters will be operating. In the opening scene we see a princess introduced via a zoom and pan shot. The shot is a mid-shot, allowing us to see the clothes she wears, by which we know of her class and status, which is higher than that of Merlin, to whom we were earlier introduced to. The audience already has a preview of this when they witnessed Merlin 'sneaking' around a room containing an altar, upon which were placed several object, including a jewel-studded book which Merlin uncovers and picks up. This was the first indication that there was another person in the vicinity with a higher status and Merlin's quiet and sneaky actions combined with this reinforce this. A rapid zoom on a voodoo doll which he consequently grabs, giving the viewer insight into what he will do, through his point of view. Also, when Merlin 'escapes' the room and the witch/princess, he stepts infront of a stained glass window, a long shot. The connotations of this may hint at the unatural powers, as stained glass window are usually found in churches and other holy places. This belief can be reinforced by the fact that the witch/princess stops in front of it as well, foreshadwoing the consequent eventsm telling the audience of their equal status in unique powers.

Merlin then exits the castle is is 'followed' from a high boom angle, giving the connotations of a small, insignificant, powerless person. When he enters the market, the camera tracks him via contolled eye-level pan, indicating that he is comfortable  here. Comfort, which is usuall associated with class and status, showing that Merlin has been here often and knows his way around the area. This indicates to the audience that he is working class, which one can also tell from his clothes, as are many of the other people in the scene. One realizes that is a place that he frequently patronizes.

After meeting Lord Athur, a fight ensues between the two men. Shot reverse shot is used as the two men trade insults. Before the actual fighting commenses, a fast boom shot is used, showing Athur twirling a mace above his head and Merlin stepping backward.  This indicates fear, but not one to social status or class, rather than fear of being hurt. This is used to help change the mood from comical to violent and sets the next scene.

U N F I N I S H E D

Analysing Camera Movement (Music Videos): Panic! At The Disco- Let's Kill Tonight

The camera movement appears to be a track/dolly shot, except that it seems to filmed from a car window. The effect of this is that it allows the viewer to see the surroundings that the characters are in.

A static zoom creates a sense of movement, emphasising what is taking place on stage. The speed of the zoom also helps create a sense of urgency and maniacy.

Here, the camera moves as well as the conveyor belt creating double movement. Also, the light reflecting off it make it appear to be metal, which would not be the case had the video been filmed in colour.

In this scene, and in the one before it, a hand-held/ steadicam is used, which allows to track the character's movements. It also gives the viewer the feeling of being part of the scene.

A shot taken from an airplane (unusual), most likely with a hand held. The effect of this being dazzling and surprising for the viewer.

A pan and tilt of a graveyard, which reveals elements previously unseen.  By now, the viewer knows that the characters are in the graveyard and the pan and tilt also gives the impression/sense that one is searching for them.

Here, the camera work is canted and messy, usually giving the viewer a sense of confusion. In this case it gives the impression the excitement/craziness that comes from a live concert performance. Furthermore, it  also helps to highlight the erratic movement of the singer.

A boom shot of the whole band, unusually creating intimacy- one feels as though one were at the concert.  In addition, it emphasises the movement  on stage, now that one can see the whole band moving, rather than just the singer, who is also dancing.

Analysing Camera Angles: Sebastian's Voodoo

This mid shot helps show that the voodoo dolls are  vulnerable. The closeness also helps to show that the dolls are in bad condition; the cloth is dirty and the sewing work clumsy, suggesting that the owner does not care for they are not cared properly. They fulfil their purpose.

Here the audience is shown the surroundings of the dolls and helps create the atmosphere in which the story is set. This shot is known as a wide shot. It also aims to evoke sympathy from the audience, when shown how the dolls are kept.

This angle allows us to view the scene from the antagonist's point of view. Due to the  angle of the camera/height of the antagonist, it gives the impression of power, making the dolls seem insignificant and especially vulnerable.

 

This low angle helps to show the newly discovered power of the doll. The dolls now have the power to change their fate, but only through the self sacrifice of the pictured doll.

 

The angle used here is an eye level shot, what one might see if one knelt on the floor. This allows the viewer to get close of the dolls and see things on their level, in this case, the discovery of the dead, self-sacraficial doll that saved the day.