The Bird's Continuity

How many shots are there? 18

Where was the camera positioned for each shot? 

The first shot was a long shot of the women and the surroundings. The second shot was a mid shot. The third shot was a long medium shot. The fourth shot was a medium shot which was a low angle. The seventh shot was also a medium shot but it was close-up, the eighth shot was a long shot, nine ten and eleven was a medium close up. Then a shot was taking of the women this was a close up. Then there was a point of view shot which turned into a medium shot and then an extreme close-up. Finally the last shot was a long shot with the women running and then it turned into a close up.

What principles of continuity are used here? How successfully? Refer to specific shots / screengrabs.

The continuity is very successful in the scene as it flows smoothly. A multi action level shot is used as one shot is taken of the women looking and straight after another shot is taken of the hall way. This makes the audience see what the women is looking at. This type of shot creates tension and also it brings together the relationship between multiple story paths in a film.

What is the effect of the editing on the viewer? What are we meant to feel at different stages? (ie before she enters the house, in the kitchen, in the corridor, in the bedroom, running away)?

The editing of a film helps create the mood of the film. It also alerts the viewer on what’s happening in the film.

Firstly when the woman knocks on the door, there isn’t a response. This immediately sets the viewer in a tense position as the women feels scared. As soon as she walks in a close-up is taken of her. Looking at her facial expression you can see that something is not normal as her eyes widen. The cups next to the women seemed to me broken. This dominates the scene as it gives the viewer a anxious feeling. The pace of the film then slows down dramatically as the women checks around the corner of the hallway. This sets the mood of the film. The audience then engage in the film as they want to find out the mystery behind all of this. When the woman goes into the room you can see the tilted photo and everything in the room has been destroyed. This gives the audience a feel of suspense. A close-up is then taken of the women. She looks very angry which gives the reader a feel of danger.  As she sees the dead man she runs. This alarms the audience.

What is the 'best bit' for you in this sequence in terms of learning new techniques and why?

The best bit in this scene in terms of good techniques was the bit when the women slowly walked down the hall way into the room. Here arrange of shots were used. These shots helped us understand what was going on in the film. It made me very anxious as close-ups where taken of the women and the surroundings of her in the room.