Birdman: Cinematography Analysis

  

  Cinematography Analysis of Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

 Throughout this incredible exploration of camera angles and cinematography, Birdman shows us how well-developed films can leave the viewer stunned, and throughout this film, we see everything through Riggan's (our main character) eyes; almost as if we were him,- the voice inside his head included. Throughout the production of this film, the deeply embedded themes played a crucial part in the visual design and cinematography as the story progressed. Directed by Alejandro Iñarittu, this movie won an Oscar for its array of unconventional camera techniques, which ultimately helped immerse the audience into Riggans' character in order to help further develop the set themes, and progress his character arc.    

  Cinematography mainly consists of camera shots and what makes them up. Depending on the camera shots used is what the movie being composed is going to end up as. This may sound obvious, but the way in which certain camera angles work with each other can really make or break a scene. Theres a specific part of Birdman, where Riggan is getting out of his dressing room and into a hallway, and as he walks out to the back, the stage grows smaller which shows the mood set as his actions had intensified the scene. Something that truly sets this movie apart from the rest was its use of long and continuous shots. Showing us his life on the daily, and how there are no cuts or breaks in reality, making this movie seem as if it was done in one take. The shots used in order to sell that idea definitely helped because, for example, the birds eye view shot is used when Riggan feels on top of the world and is essentially flying while trying to relive his glory days as birdman. Simply the fact that it was shot over him to somehow create the illusion that he's high and mighty, but there's still someone higher was genius, and at the end of that scene when they show that he was actually in a taxi, it says something about how separated his mind is from his body. If this scene wouldn't have been shot from a superior angle, the viewers' understanding of the situation would've been lessened, and the importance of the theme diminished.

  A main focus throughout the entirety of the movie has been Riggans deteriorating mental health, and his journey of self-exploration and mending broken lies. An embodiment of this would be birdman, his ex-hero persona, who's constantly weighing him down, despite him being a reminder of how amazing he is (was). There are times throughout the film when you, as a character, can feel a breakdown coming on because of the stress our main character is going through. When the mood sets for this, you can see how the camera shot switches to a handheld shot and is able to fully captivate the audience in the development this action will continue. His tantrums, as he says practically irreversible things, not only help boost the story and plot line, but give him a more humane feel. Using a Steadicam shot to slowly shift how the viewers see him helps them achieve a deeper connection as imperfect humans, and helps further his theme of self-exploration. The mistakes he makes, and the bigger they are, the more in which he is able to better himself and choose the type of person he wishes to be.

  One of the reasons this movie gets so much well-deserved praise is due to its creative and unconventional use of camera angles in order to give the viewer a better understanding of the life of Riggan Thompson. The movies cinematography director Emmanuel Lubezki is the one to thank for this unique view into filmmaking. His shots are usually staged in really long takes, hence the long-shot fame that the movie holds, and to give it a more natural, humane sense of movement its either mounted on a steadicam or held by hand when following Thompson around. Looking closely into the movie, when these longer shots are stopped, its with a whip or a pan shot, in order to continue the fluidity of the movement, without having it be disrupted too much. And once the second shot is ready to go, it'll pan again in order to keep the illusion of one continuous shot throughout the movie. They kept this all movie long, and was what made his death more alluring. Often people forget that the media they're consuming has to do with a fictional (or non-fictional) life, but this movie did a great job reminding us of it, not only with the visuals presented,but with the way in which they are presented.

  To conclude, the theme demonstrated throughout Birdman was greatly visually developed, not only with the camera movements involved but with the enhancement of the themes understanding due to its underlying tones.