An Analysis of Meta Performance in “Birdman”

• Main Authors: CHANG, CHIN-WEN, 張瀞文
• Other Authors: Lin, San-Yi
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/9787b2

碩士 === 國立臺灣藝術大學 === 戲劇學系 === 105 === “Birdman：The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance”, released in 2014, is directed, produced and in part written by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Birdman was released in October in the United States and later released in Taiwan in January of 2015. The film was awarded “Best Picture”, “Best Director”, “Best Original Screenplay” and “Best Cinematography in the 87th Academy Awards, commonly referred to as the “Oscars.” The film sector has become the most sought after and involved art industry for the public mass under the influence of commercialization. As a new form art, films have become a hybrid of drama, literature, photography, music and visual art. Yet, it all comes down to the “story” that the piece tells, with the most valuable component being the theme of the film and the messages the producer conveys through this topic. This paper examines the ways in which the movie Birdman holds the audience’s attention, arouses emotion, induces meaningful reflection and fosters awakening of self-consciousness. Through the lens of metatheatre, this study looks at the methods and effects of META Performance as employed in Birdman. In addition, the drama “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” originally published as a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver, runs through the film as another story within and serves as an essential soul of the film that manifests the main message of the work. Aside from analysis of the use of Meta Performance, the creative intent and the motifs of Birdman, the author of this paper also strives to provide the readers with three other insights: 1. A new perspective in viewing films; 2. The ability to appreciate the essence of theatrical art apart from stimulus gained from light and sound effects; 3. A realization of the theoretical consciousness and shared values between audience and the creators of the film. The ultimate goal of this study is to provide satisfaction in the resonance of understanding and appreciating the values embodied in such films.