Thriller: 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.