I fnd it interesting the way that the real and fictional nature of birds flow into each other. I grew up in a small Scottish town that had loads of Jackdaws and Rooks (I think it hold the record for largest rookery, or something?). At sunset the sky is filled with hundreds of them, and they line up roofs and chimneys in hordes - almost exactly like the birds. Years later when I saw the Hitchcock film, I found it hard to be scared because of how familiar it was. Last year I was home and took some photos of these birds. My friends were really freaked out by the pictures, because they associated it with the film. Reality made me immune to the film. The film made my friends susceptible to reality. I find it interesting that the two can affect each other in opposite ways.
I know old video but- context and relation as always so significant here. Hitchcock was apparently inspired to his horror film by a (frankly small by their standards) flock of tītī, and yet when those same tītī return home to Aotearoa from their trip up to California where Hitchcock saw them, it is a celebration. The tītī have returned, the next year is on and life continues. My local area entirely lost the tītī to invasive mammals decades ago, but they have just started poking their heads up again and it is a great sign of the recovery of our local environment. The very same birds that inspired horror for Hitchcock are revitalising to me and many others
Yo, your stuff rocks, and it's always super enlightening. I never realized just how frequently birds are used at metaphors in horror media! I also thought the bit near the end about interior/exterior binary was really fascinating. Thanks for the great content!
Spectacular. Agree with others that the level of research and number of sources is astonishing. I am but a humble idiot but these videos make me feel smart!
I always figured flocks of birds/ a raven or crow calling in horror bc that’s just real life? If a flock birds suddenly takes off it’s bc something startled it and corvids call out to each other usually happens when they notice something dangerous/something interesting (like food). The symbolism you bring up makes sense but never would of occurred to me without u pointing it out bc I’m just like “welp that’s how birds be”
This makes me think about a trend I've noticed in some indie games recently, with using birds as an unstoppable force/antagonist. In Ori and the Blind Forest, there is a very large owl you must confront and flee from, and in Gris, sorrow and loss is personified in the form of a massive sparrow or starling. Neither one is explicitly horror, but they are both very unsettling. I feel like there are some other examples as well that I'm not thinking of, but I'll add them if I do. Amazing video as always!
I'm so glad I found your videos, each of them is like it's own contained, super well put together gem that really makes you reconsider how you view things.
9:51 I'm sure you'd love and be extremely calm in the video game Condemned: Criminal Origins. Much like everything else in the game, the birds caught a disease, went crazy and died. They are mainly there as collectibles, but you can mostly find them inside of buildings. Both in the plot and gameplay they are representing decay, intruding and rituals.
One of my favorite shows called (damages) had this wierd pigeon lurking through the window with exaggerated voice almost like an angry witness... I always remember it and wonder about its symbolism... So thank you very much for your help and time.
What a fascinating piece! Definitely going to be reexamining how i use bird motifs in my own work and how I might differently incorporate them in the future.
Once again another great video, looking at a subject I never considered but is actually interesting. Also you helped introduce me to Over The Garden Wall and now I'm a fan so thanks for that.
Loved this! I think you have a fantastic talent at taking a theme and connecting it through so many different types of art for greater understanding. One thought - Hitchcock once said he had a fear of eggs, do you think this informed his frequent use of birds in his films, whether subconsciously or not? I also loved Hitch’s use of stuffed birds on the walls in Psycho, underscoring Norman’s predatory nature.
Yet again, nice work! Your video reminded me of an article I read when I was still and undergrad. It was called "'Oh, I See....': 'The Birds' and the Culmination of Hitchcock's Hyper-Romantic Vision" by John P. McCombe. I don't have access to it anymore otherwise I'd link it here, but if you ever manage to track it down, you might be interested in reading it. It covers similar ideas.
Thanks for the recommendation! Just read the preview page and it looks like it would have been a great article to reference. The opening quote comparing the film to poetry would have made a nice comparison with The Raven too. I'll try and read the whole thing at some point.
My goodness, I love your videos. I marveled at the initial title card you created with the birds in the background, in tandem with the music...phenomenal! Thank you again for your subscription. There are more topics for your perusal. I can’t wait to see what topics you expound upon next. What video software do you use to create such impeccable videos? Always learning from the best, Cheers!
Thank you very much! Timing things to music is one of my favourite things to do in videos, but mostly I'm talking over the top of it so it becomes less noticeable. That intro was fun to do. :) I use Sony Vegas to edit.
I personally am so biased FOR birds that I can’t ever see them as anything sinister. They’re just like any other living creature. Birds hit windows because they don’t realise there’s an obstacle there. Birds scavenge because it’s easy food. Birds fly erratically when startled because they’re scared.
I visited Cedar Rapids in Iowa once, and they'd been poisoning crows. I ended up walking down an old brick paved avenue lined by leafless trees. (it was winter.) Both sides of the avenue had gutters, and both of the gutters were scattered with dead crows. It was broad daylight, but probably the spookiest place I've ever been.
The crow in the opening credits of The Blood on Satan’s Claw is kinda creepy. Just saying. Great channel, by the way. Currently bingeing my way through your stuff.
![Phantom You [Tube]: Fighting Our Digital Doubles](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/O6C4KPHcSOA/mqdefault.jpg)
I can't believe how much research and references go into each video. Editing must take an age
It sure does!
I fnd it interesting the way that the real and fictional nature of birds flow into each other.
I grew up in a small Scottish town that had loads of Jackdaws and Rooks (I think it hold the record for largest rookery, or something?). At sunset the sky is filled with hundreds of them, and they line up roofs and chimneys in hordes - almost exactly like the birds. Years later when I saw the Hitchcock film, I found it hard to be scared because of how familiar it was.
Last year I was home and took some photos of these birds. My friends were really freaked out by the pictures, because they associated it with the film.
Reality made me immune to the film. The film made my friends susceptible to reality. I find it interesting that the two can affect each other in opposite ways.
That's really interesting!
I know I'd be pretty freaked out if there were that many birds just sitting around.
I know old video but- context and relation as always so significant here. Hitchcock was apparently inspired to his horror film by a (frankly small by their standards) flock of tītī, and yet when those same tītī return home to Aotearoa from their trip up to California where Hitchcock saw them, it is a celebration. The tītī have returned, the next year is on and life continues. My local area entirely lost the tītī to invasive mammals decades ago, but they have just started poking their heads up again and it is a great sign of the recovery of our local environment. The very same birds that inspired horror for Hitchcock are revitalising to me and many others
Yo, your stuff rocks, and it's always super enlightening. I never realized just how frequently birds are used at metaphors in horror media! I also thought the bit near the end about interior/exterior binary was really fascinating. Thanks for the great content!
Thank you very much! I'm glad you think so.
the quality and writing of your videos is phenomenal, never once finished one of your videos and not feel inspired.
Thank you very much!
Spectacular. Agree with others that the level of research and number of sources is astonishing. I am but a humble idiot but these videos make me feel smart!
Haha, thank you!
What a gorgeous analysis of the metaphor of birds in horror films. Love all your examples.
Thank you! It's nice to get a new comment on this video after so many years 😊
I always figured flocks of birds/ a raven or crow calling in horror bc that’s just real life? If a flock birds suddenly takes off it’s bc something startled it and corvids call out to each other usually happens when they notice something dangerous/something interesting (like food). The symbolism you bring up makes sense but never would of occurred to me without u pointing it out bc I’m just like “welp that’s how birds be”
Haha, “welp that’s how birds be” is definitely how so many films get away with it. :D
This makes me think about a trend I've noticed in some indie games recently, with using birds as an unstoppable force/antagonist. In Ori and the Blind Forest, there is a very large owl you must confront and flee from, and in Gris, sorrow and loss is personified in the form of a massive sparrow or starling. Neither one is explicitly horror, but they are both very unsettling.
I feel like there are some other examples as well that I'm not thinking of, but I'll add them if I do. Amazing video as always!
You're great, I live for your videos.
❤
I'm so glad I found your videos, each of them is like it's own contained, super well put together gem that really makes you reconsider how you view things.
Thank you so much!
What's So Great About UA-cam? Your channel.
:D
9:51 I'm sure you'd love and be extremely calm in the video game Condemned: Criminal Origins.
Much like everything else in the game, the birds caught a disease, went crazy and died.
They are mainly there as collectibles, but you can mostly find them inside of buildings. Both in the plot and gameplay they are representing decay, intruding and rituals.
Birds strike again!
By god, every single video on this channel is a truly extraordinary work of academia.
Thank you so much! :D
>^..^
Another excellent video! Thank you!
Thank you! :)
Digging the more jovial tone as the subject calls for it.
Thanks! I'm always a bit anxious about going outside my usual tone so I'm glad you think it worked. :)
The CXG insert joke had great timing and was completely unexpected. It got a big laugh out of me.
Haha, thank you! I just had to use it. :D
One of my favorite shows called (damages) had this wierd pigeon lurking through the window with exaggerated voice almost like an angry witness... I always remember it and wonder about its symbolism... So thank you very much for your help and time.
I've never heard of that show, but it's nice to know there are more birds and windows out there!
What a fascinating piece! Definitely going to be reexamining how i use bird motifs in my own work and how I might differently incorporate them in the future.
Thank you! :D
I love your videos so much! they're so well edited and researched, and I love your voice and diction!!
Thank you very much! :D
Once again another great video, looking at a subject I never considered but is actually interesting. Also you helped introduce me to Over The Garden Wall and now I'm a fan so thanks for that.
Thanks! Glad you like OTGW. :)
Hah, over the garden wall introduced me to this channel. I guess that's a two way street.
Loved this! I think you have a fantastic talent at taking a theme and connecting it through so many different types of art for greater understanding. One thought - Hitchcock once said he had a fear of eggs, do you think this informed his frequent use of birds in his films, whether subconsciously or not? I also loved Hitch’s use of stuffed birds on the walls in Psycho, underscoring Norman’s predatory nature.
Thank you very much!
I didn't know Hitchcock was afraid of eggs! Don't know if that ties into birds of if it's its own thing.
fantastic video as always. dig your choice of music too.
Thank you!
Another great essay! I will try to recall this when I rewatch The Birds in about two weeks. On the animal note, have you ever seen White Dog?
Thank you!
I haven't. I'll look it up!
Yet again, nice work! Your video reminded me of an article I read when I was still and undergrad. It was called "'Oh, I See....': 'The Birds' and the Culmination of Hitchcock's Hyper-Romantic Vision" by John P. McCombe. I don't have access to it anymore otherwise I'd link it here, but if you ever manage to track it down, you might be interested in reading it. It covers similar ideas.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Just read the preview page and it looks like it would have been a great article to reference. The opening quote comparing the film to poetry would have made a nice comparison with The Raven too. I'll try and read the whole thing at some point.
My goodness, I love your videos. I marveled at the initial title card you created with the birds in the background, in tandem with the music...phenomenal!
Thank you again for your subscription. There are more topics for your perusal.
I can’t wait to see what topics you expound upon next. What video software do you use to create such impeccable videos? Always learning from the best,
Cheers!
Thank you very much!
Timing things to music is one of my favourite things to do in videos, but mostly I'm talking over the top of it so it becomes less noticeable. That intro was fun to do. :)
I use Sony Vegas to edit.
amazing as always, saved my day
Thank you :)
I personally am so biased FOR birds that I can’t ever see them as anything sinister. They’re just like any other living creature. Birds hit windows because they don’t realise there’s an obstacle there. Birds scavenge because it’s easy food. Birds fly erratically when startled because they’re scared.
Well birds are dinosaurs, so it makes sense that they're scary and awesome.
I visited Cedar Rapids in Iowa once, and they'd been poisoning crows. I ended up walking down an old brick paved avenue lined by leafless trees. (it was winter.) Both sides of the avenue had gutters, and both of the gutters were scattered with dead crows. It was broad daylight, but probably the spookiest place I've ever been.
That sounds so creepy!
The crow in the opening credits of The Blood on Satan’s Claw is kinda creepy. Just saying.
Great channel, by the way. Currently bingeing my way through your stuff.
Thank you! Creepy crows are everywhere, haha.
@@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat I'd have creepy crows over stupid seagulls any day!
Oh grace. I am a fan. Very intellectual. My fave!
Loved this
Holy shit you make amazing content
Thank you!
theres no point in watching a video essay if it's not by you!
:D
Shame missing the lighthouse of a year
I just cant have a bird as a pet. I can't watch them die. I can't...
A new WSGAT? Awwww yiss....
❤
You're aptly named, Grace.
Meanwhile, frustrated birding hobbyists fuss with feeders that don't attract enough birds to their homes.
Birdemic is the scariest of them all.
The Owls are not what they seem
You are a Zizekian Monster!
What _are_ birds? We just don't know.
nice accent.