Birdman Group Analysis

analysis
#182

This is a statement about the MC. His issues come from the fact that everyone else (the external world) sees him as only Birdman.

Correct. But Situtations aren’t just about physicality. The son of a king is in a situation, the class clown is in a situation–if his problems come from his status as the class clown. If they come from difficulties setting up his pranks, then he could be in Activity – which is why it’s important to go broader than just a brief description.

He is annoyed during the interview early in the movie because one interview is a cheap hollywood interview, and the Korean is only interested in him because “You were in Birdman 4?”

So, it’s a Situation. His motivation to put on the play is this, his purpose is to break free of his reputation with a successful play, but the IC is tempting him to change his attitude, accept it, and become a a Be-er.

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#183

I agree. Also, if the RS were in activity, then I think Birdman would have to be a physical entity and the relationship would need to be expressed using stuff, like Norma Desmond buying Joe’s affection in Sunset Boulevard, or Lisa bringing Jeff dinner, crashing over at his place and smothering him with kisses in Rear Window. In Birdman, there’s nothing the birdman can do except talk to Riggan and try and convince him that he is not Riggan, but Birdman.

Anyways, when we started this analysis, my opinion was that Riggan shed Birdman’s persona. Just goes to show how much a person’s position can change. Definitely some manipulation going on there…

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#184

He needs the real gun to silence the Birdman. He needs the real gun to really kill himself because he sees this as the only way out of his situation.

#185

Okay, I have come around. It could go either way for me. The struggle between Birdman and Riggan could be purely psychological and is all about who they are to be. Who they should become.conceiving an idea that drunk night on the stoop and then developing a plan after the flight over the city

I don’t think the activity is putting on this play but acting, creating art and whether or not one is worthy of doing this in New York City.

“The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance”

#186

The IC shouldn’t be tempting him to change his attitude though. That would fall under my argument. He should be tempting him to change his Situation by way of the IC’s attitude.

I see what you’re getting at and it was the argument that was made earlier for Situation. Riggan is a has been actor. That’s his Situation. But is that really his problem? Or is it his attitude about his status as a washed up actor? I’d use the George Clooney anecdote as evidence.

EDIT: To take a bit further. I’d argue no one cares he used to do Birdman. All of his actors are willing to work with him. His daugther doens’t care, his wife doens’t care. He’s the only one who cares and It’s his ego that gives it all importance.

#187

OK. So I think we’ve agreed on:

Overall Story Throughline: Activity
Main Character Throughline: Situation
Influence Character Throughline: Fixed Attitude
Relationship Story Throughline: Way of thinking (Manipulation)

So now we move on to the Concerns. For those new to the process, this the time when we try and figure out what is of utmost concern to each Throughline, where do the problems seem to be coming from? The trick is – if you pick a Concern for a Throughline, the location of that Concern in the Quad will determine where the other Concerns in the other Throughlines are (they’ll be in the same location) SO if we say the Concern in the Overall Story is Obtaining, that means the Main Character Concern would be Future, Influence Character would be Innermost Desires, and the Relationship Story would be Changing One’s Nature.

So who would like to start? (And please make an argument for all four throughlines at once, and please don’t get sidetracked on long drawn out explanations! It can get kinda muddy from here … )

#188

Re: nobody cares – whenever the public sees him, they recognize him as Birdman. Not as the actor who played Birdman, which is arguably what he wants.

I think this is saying the same thing twice, more or less.

#189

There’s a difference.

In my argument the IC’s Situation would impact the MC’s Fixed Attitude.

In the argument that has taken over, the IC’s Fixed Attitude impacts the MC’s Situation.

He’s still Birdman to everyone else at the end of the film. He’s still Birdman to himself… I don’t see what changed but the analysis has moved on so I will too.

#190

It’s important to clarify, since you are here to learn.

Riggan remains in his Situation. That’s not the change.

There are plenty of situations that lots of us are in and okay about. For instance, I’m American. Not a problem for me. But I’m also balding (situation: how things are changing).

I do things to deal with this: take meds, get hair tattooed on my scalp, wear a toupee to hide my stupid tattoos.

With luck, one day I will find the best solution this way.

OR!! I decide that my attitude has to change because my IC is my positive-thinking friend. So, I switch. I realize that my wife and kids and mistress make up for my receding hairline. My Situation is the same, my attitude changes – I become a be-er – and now when I encounter a mirror or a heckler, it rolls off of me

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#191

Thanks @MWollaeger I haven’t heard that explanation of the IC/MC dynamic yet. It opens up some interesting options.

#192

The Birdman’s Situation (his physicality, his status) are not what impacts Riggan – it is his relentless bad attitude.

If Birdman’s Situation changed but his attitude remained the same, Riggan would still be bothered, there would still be influence felt.

If Birdman’s Attitude changed but his situation remained the same, Riggan would not be bothered anymore, there would be no conflict and no story.

Dramatica is all the conflict (inequity). You need to look for that in each Throughline. The source of inequity or conflict.

#193

I’ve thought about the four possibilities and the one I choose is:

OS Concern: Doing.
MC Throughline: How Things Are Changing
IC Throughline: Impulsive Responses
RS Throughline: Playing a Role.

Everybody is Doing something to set up the play. Riggan has to deal with How Things Are Changing now that he wants to be taken seriously and there are supporters and skeptics, but specially there’s Birdman who shows just Impulsive Responses - that’s the way he responds to this new, unknown environment. And the Riggan-Birdman relationship is based on Playing the Role of Riggan the serious actor or the Hollywood star: they are gathering information about how people perceive them now and how they will perceive them in the future.

I do think that a close second could be: OS Obtaining (setting up the play), MC The Future (wants to be considered a serious actor in the future - he is not right now), IC Innermost Desires (He may just want to be the Hollywood star) and RS Changing One’s Nature. The Changing One’s Nature in the relationship is where I have my doubts.

#194

I like this as well.
OS: It’s what people are doing and how they are doing it that is causing problems. The critic hates that the movie star is acting in her city, NYC, where the true artists create. The father is not doing the right things that a father should be doing to be a good father. The movie star is not making more Birdman movies. The broadway serious actor is doing things that cause the director problems. The daughter is doing drugs and not living up to the agreement to remain clean. The voice in the movie stars head will not leave him alone.
MC: Things are not going well for Riggan. They go from bad to worse—in his mind; in his personal life, as a father, and lover; the play is out of control (especially with unpredictable Mike the actor)
IC: Birdman definitely has a great impact in regards to Impulsive responses. He is always tempting Riggan to use his powers as Birdman and when Riggan is weak he succumbs to his impulsive responses and smashes things, throws things across the room or flies.
RS: Being (Playing a Role) This may be the central focus of the story. This is a huge struggle (problem) Who will they be? Will Birdman take over and they are Birdman or will Riggan silence the voice and the relationship ends with the end of Birdman and Riggan is left alone to be himself?

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#195

I was going to say the same thing. I also like the issue options below those concerns, they seem to ring truer than the other concern choices.

#196

I’m liking those too. As long as there are no dissenting opinions we will move on to Issues …

Interestingly enough @chuntley has a pretty good explanation as to why this film has a broken storyform (hint: has to do with the last scene), that he mentioned before the Users Group meeting last night. I’ll have him come in here and explain at the end of this analysis. I still feel like it is important though to finish this analysis through.

So we have:

  • Main Character Concern: Progress
  • Overall Story Concern: Doing
  • Influence Character Concern: Impulsive Responses
  • Relationship Story Concern: Playing a Role

Starting with the Main Character, which issue sounds good to you? Fact, Fantasy, Security or Threat as being the source of his problems.

#197

I really want to read more about why it’s a broken storyform. Meanwhile I think:

MC Issue: Fantasy. - He has the fantasy of being taken seriously. He is taking steps to turn it into a fact. But in the end his fantasy blows out of proportion. It doesn’t help that the IC is a fantasy.
OS Issue: Skill - Putting the play has a lot to do with the potential of the actors. Their talent, skill lead them to a successful play. (Mike seems to be the most talented but breaks character when his gin is replaced. Lesley has doubts about her talent.)
IC Issue: Worth - Birdman’s influence to Riggan is in terms if he’s more worthy as a Hollywood star or as a serious actor.
RS Issue: Ability - And their relationship is concerned with the capacity/ability to accomplish becoming a serious actor. Birdman questions Riggan, Riggan tries to convince both himself and Birdman that they got the ability to accomplish it.

Should we discuss the items that are automatically selected? Or do we leave that for later
(screenshot attached)

Screen Shot 2015-03-11 at 18.58.47.jpg1910×701 103 KB

#198

Just wait one second! I only wanted to do MC Issue, but that’s fine for now. And I promise, I’ll get Chris in here at the end. Anyone want to counter with different Issues? (feel free to cover all Issues).

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#199

Main Character Issue: Security (vs. Threat) Riggan’s personal thematic focus, topic, or value standard as it concerns an evaluation of his defenses and protections.

Security is causing a problem for Riggan

Before he can expand to greater achievements, it is important to protect himself as an artist. He builds defenses against threats both known and anticipated to secure his dream. However, actual dangers may or may not fall within the ability of the protections to keep him secure.

#200

Yes, individually, the characters in the OS are all obsessing over their skills, especially Mike, but overall, aren’t ALL of the actors, technicians, producer, etc. just going through a series of run throughs? Even the critic is writing something as she waits for the opening night. This leads me to chose Experience (the gaining of familiarity) as the OS Issue.

Personally, Riggan is convinced he’s not Birdman, it’s a fact. Despite that, there’s a voice in his head that states the contrary. Despite that, people in the street keep shouting “Birdman!” Why is that? He knows it, we know it - Riggan is not Birdman. So why’s everybody contradicting him? Riggan even has to hide the frickin’ poster that’s constantly reminding him of what he’s not, but can’t find a place for it. ARGH!!! I’d say Riggan"s got an issue with Fact. Also, he DOES NOT inject himself with pig semen as a means to rejuvenate his face. Got it? Okay?

“How did we end up in this dump? It smells like balls.” “We used to gross billions, now look at us.” “Who the fuck wants to listen to all that talky, depressing philosophical bullshit?” No matter how hard Riggan tries, Birdman just doesn’t get the point of Riggan’s stupid endeavor. There’s no money in it and nobody cares. The IC has an issue with the value of it all.

Birdman: “Let’s get out of here and do something better.”
Riggan: “This IS better. This is real. This is what I gotta do!”
I’d say Riggan and Birdman, in their relationship, are fighting over their aspirations, what they want, what they desire.

#201

I like Experience for OS Issue as well. There seems to be a dynamic where Experience vs Skill plays a role in aspects of acting, criticism and fatherhood. And for Sam who seems to be the odd one out, contributes to the storyline with her Experience as a neglected child and a patient in rehab.

I also agree with Desire as RS Issue. They each Desire success but in two opposite directions. Birdman serves to remind Riggan where his true Ability lies and Broadway is a waste of time. Riggan’s Desire to make something meaningful fends him off for as long as possible.

I am going to say Riggan’s Issue is Fantasy. He suffers from the delusion that he has powers versus the Fact that we see him get out of a cab. That delusion is a metaphor for his ego which is a blown up Fantasy that many suffer from. Versus the Fact that we are all simply dashes on a single sheet of toilet paper. The Macbeth lines shouted by the drunk bum outside the liquor store is all about a veil being lifted from Macbeth’s eyes to realize the utter disappointment that is life.

Birdman’s Issue is Worth. The influence he has on Riggan is to have him reevaluate his Worth in the proper context. He is a god in Hollywood but a mere peasant here on Broadway. This is in contrast to the Value of the work or the art in the end. Another hollow Hollywood blockbuster isn’t contributing anything meaningful to the culture or to Riggan. But there’s also the case to be made about the Value of another pompous vanity project which appeals to “Old white people who are only worried about where to have cake and coffee after.”

OS: Experience
RS: Desire
MC: Fantasy
IC: Worth