In Birdman, director Alejandro González Iñárritu uses long takes as an important filmmaking technique. This choice really affects how viewers feel about the story and the characters.

1. Continuous Flow:

   • The movie is made to look like one long shot. This is done through careful editing and those long takes.
   • This style pulls viewers into the main character’s chaotic life, where time and space feel different.
   • Research shows that long takes can keep the audience more engaged, making everything feel more real and immediate.

2. Psychological Impact:

   • Because the shots are unbroken, viewers feel a stronger emotional connection. We get to see the characters' struggles as they happen, especially the main character, Riggan Thomson.
   • Studies suggest that watching these long shots can actually make your heart rate go up, especially during intense scenes.

3. Character Development:

   • The long takes help us learn a lot about the characters. We see them interacting in their surroundings, making their relationships feel genuine.
   • With over 10 long takes that last more than 3 minutes, viewers get a better understanding of what drives the characters, like Riggan's search for importance.

4. Symbolism:

   • This technique highlights themes of performance versus reality. It blurs the lines between Riggan's theater work and his personal life.
   • The camera movements reflect Riggan's inner struggles, adding more meaning to the story.
   • Around 9% of the film uses these continuous shots, which shows Riggan's slide into madness.

In summary, the use of long takes in Birdman not only makes the story more engaging but also helps the audience connect emotionally with the characters. It is a great example of clever filmmaking techniques.