Opening Scene of "The Birds"

'The Birds' is a thriller, so has many thriller conventions. The open title text is done in a old-fashioned way because in old films the opening titles, where today the titles show only the main people involved, instead show all people. Also, the way the text appears on the screen is somewhat disorientating. After the opening credits the opening sequence is done in a stereotypical fashion, an establishing shot is shown to set the scene and introduce the main character by keeping her as the main focus of the frame (using a tracking shot).

This classic thriller was filmed in 1963, it is shown to be old fashion as the credit are positioned at the beginning were as the credits are based at the end of productions created in these days. It also uses a basic form of editing for the opening sequence, using only black and white colours while introducing the cast for this film. The colour black is generally associated with death and misery, which fits into the theme of this production. The high contrast between white and black is used to represent opposites, in this film the black birds may represent death or something bad, and the white background may represent freedom.

 

"The Birds" opening scene is set in San Fransisco, America. The blonde woman is surrounded by large skyscrapers, trams and busy streets which helps communicate where the location is set and that it's very densely populated. The woman is well spoken and wears a blazer, pearl jewellery and has good posture, showing her as a stereotypical member of the upper-middle class.

 

We are also introduced to a male character. He also come across as an upper-middle class sort as he wears a suit, tie and a hat. He is also rather well spoken and has a good posture. Also, both the characters are in a shop, which looks to be an upmarket place, as it has large gold cages.

The man is shown to be of higher status than to woman as, when he and the woman are talking, he is given a low angle shot, where as she is given a normal close up, and he takes up more of the frame in the over the shoulder shot, so he is shown to be more important.