Genre Research: Bird Box

1.) Common Camera Angles (CAMS)

      -High angles

        In the movie, there were majority high angles. This varied from slightly above eye level to aerial shots in order to convey different purposes, mostly towards the climax and the end of the movie. For example, when Tom went outside to check who was at their door, the people unaffected by the murderous force were viewed from a high angle purely because of the angle that Tom was standing at, somewhat similar to a POV shot. However, the scene where they had to travel the river (nearing the waterfall), the high shot was utilized to show how drastic and treacherous the situation had become.

     - Wide Shots

    Wide shots were extremely common, and were used not only as establishing shots, but as shots to drive and evoke emotion. It was noticed that wide shots are always used in some way, shape or form when the force takes over the people. (Except for Tom). When Saundra was hit by the bus, when the mother of Boy (Olympia) jumped out the window, and when the old lady(Cheryl) collapses after stabbing herself. It can be noticed that all these shots took place at their deaths, perhaps to give the viewer the full visual of what had occurred

    - Close ups

     Close ups were also commonly used shots, but they were used for a different aspect of the possession. While wide shots were used to show the product of the force, the close ups were used to show the event taking place. This, also contrary to the wide shots, apply to every individual. Right before their deaths, there would be a close up of the fear on the faces of those impacted right before they die, most likely utilized in order to represent them being impacted by the force. (They were used in other senses, but this is the most frequent utilization)

    - Zooms

  Zooms were extremely common and occurred typically between a medium shot to a close up. They were used to enhance close ups in order to further excel the mood that the creators intended to display. However, this was not the only purpose, and they were also used to accompany tracking shots.

    - Tracking Shots

   Tracking shots were used very frequently throughout the film. Similar to high angles, their use was very versatile and was inserted for many different purposes throughout the film. In the beginning during the hospital scene as she walked past the lady banging her head on the glass; as she was driving with Saundra, who later crashed the car; and as she was running with the group to find a place of refuge. This was the most common use. However, towards the end the purpose of a tracking shot changed- although used to follow people nonetheless, it was also used to surround them as the camera circled the faces of focus. This was seen when Tom became impacted by the force as well as when the main character heard the sounds of the force and ran with her children to the sanctuary.

2.)Mis en scene (CLAMPS)

  -  Costume: in the beginning of the movie, everyone wore vibrant and clean clothing. However, as situations deteriorated, clothes became dull and dirty (climax to falling action). As the movie came to a close as they entered the safe place (school for the blind), the clothes, though never returning to the level of brightness it once was, returned to its clean state.

- Lighting: the movie, as commonly seen in thrillers, had started out with bright lighting. Partially attributed to the close and setting, the colors bursted through the screen in the first few minutes of the film. This was met with a contrast after the death of Saundra— the colors were no longer bright, though the light still shone, and as the film progressed, the lighting gradually became darker and less vibrant up until they found refuge in the school.

- Acting/Actors: the actors used to create this movie were experienced in their craft and included people such as Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes and Jacki Weaver. The excellent acting skills of every individuals propel the film, contributing to its immense success.

-Makeup: aside from your average makeup design in the beginning of the film, the sole purpose of makeup in this film was to make the characters look worn and dirty or to add blood for effect. This included full body makeup.

- Setting: the setting was elaborately thought out and planned. Although a few of the scenes were attributed to green screen, most of them were properly scouted by the producers. The most commonly  used setting was likely the forest, which was used when the mother and her two children ultimately had to travel alone to find safety.

3.) Common Editing

 - Cut: cuts were extremely common, simply because they are the most basic transition between non-correlated elements.

- cross cutting: cross cutting was seen throughout the film in various representations; most commonly between a POV shot of them looking through the blind folds and their present actions. An example of this is towards the end when they are running up the stairs and there is a constant switch between the blind fold POV and an extreme close up of the family scurrying up the stairs

- shot reverse shots: shot reverse shots were also extremely common, used in most every two person dialogue.

4.) Common sound: 

-Scores: scores were the most common usage of background sound in the film. Music in the background was intense, but under no circumstance did they use words or a singer to contribute to that.

- Diegetic sound: diegetic sound was used throughout the film. Steps, creaks, scratches, ruffling, and leaves were all used appropriately according to the location and the action.

-Dialogue: dialogue was also used very frequently; there was constant communication between the characters in the movie so long as they were not alone. 

-Non-diegetic sound: on occasion when the force would come on the people, particularly towards the end, you would hear noises that did not properly suit the scene or location. The best examples of this is at the end when the main character hears Tom calling her to look at him even though he’s already dead. His voice does not fit into that scene, nor did the noise that accompanied his pleas. 

5&6.) Elements we liked and didn’t like

- The use of lighting and color design in the film was marvelously executed throughout the film. The contrast between the beginning and the ending of the movie was subtle but impactful, slowly luring the audience. However, everything including the execution, the editing and the shots were marvelously placed to create this excellent film. The camera movements and angles were excellently placed for it to seem realistic, and the editing used for the glint in the eyes was spectacular, and really. improved what already was excellent acting.

I found no fault with this film.