Shelby McCormack 17/09/13

Taken Mise En Scene Analysis

In the thriller/action film Taken a lot of close up and medium shots are used to show the emotions of the characters. These could possibly be used to make the audience feel like they themselves are close to the action happening on screen and also make them feel tense as they sort of feel what the character themselves are feeling.

Shot number 1:This shot is a medium/close up shot as it shows the character’s face and her shoulders. This shot has been used so that the audience can clearly see the changing emotion on her face. As the picture shows she is

looking off camera and seems to be quite worried or possibly startled. This portrays to the audience that something has disrupted the equilibrium, therefore causing the audience to wonder what has happened to cause the stress on her face. This would also intrigue the audience to continue watching the film. If any other shot had been used with this part of the film then it would not of had the same effect as the audience would have been unable to see her emotion as clearly. Also because of the close proximity to the character we feel almost as if we are apart of the scene itself, involving the audience and further making them want to continue to watch to see what happens.

Shot number 2: This shot is a low angle shot, used mainly for making the thing on screen seem bigger in comparison or perhaps even intimidating. This could have been used to make sure that the camera continues to catch the characters

emotions, even as she is moving. Also the camera pans with her to end up under the bed, showing where the character will end up and also from her perspective. This creates the effect that the audience is hiding with her, once again pulling us into the film and making us feel apart of it. I think this also creates a very big sense of dread as the camera (and seemingly the audience) rush to hide from the abductors.

Shelby McCormack 17/09/13

Shot number 3: This shot is an extreme close up shot as it only shows her face and nothing else. I think this shot was used to once again make sure the audience can see her face and her terrified expression, making the audience feel empathy for her. Also this shots creates a claustrophobic feel as the camera is so close, and humans naturally like their space, so we as an audience feeling so close to someone would feel uncomfortable and tense, which is exactly what the shot was intended to do given the situation what is taking place at that moment (hiding from unknown abductors) Another thing this shot could be used for is to keep the focus on the character, as the men are looking for her and she doesn’t know where they are. And neither does the audience. By keeping us in the dark it heightens the sense of dread of being found, much like we ourselves are the ones that are hiding.

Shelby McCormack 17/09/13

Shot number 4: This shot is a medium shot and clearly shows the character’s emotions and the set of his shoulders, making it clear to the audience of his worry and stress at that moment in time of the film. I think this was used (combined with the slow zoom from the camera with the focus on the character’s face) to bring the audience in to the situation, as if listening themselves.

Shot number 5:

This shot is a wide angle shot and it is used to get capture the scene and also the character in the scene. These shots are used similarly to an establishing shot to show where the characters are but for the camera to be close enough to still see the character. This particular shot was used as if we are the character looking out the window. By doing this is brings us into the perspective of the character, and the image we see is quite comical, tricking the audience into thinking that everything is ok and nothing bad is going to happen. We soon find out we believed wrong.

Shelby McCormack 17/09/13

Shot number 6:This shot is a low level9/17/13 shot and is used to make something seem more intimidating or larger than actually perceived. I think this particular shot was used to portray the kidnapping almost from the character’s point of view. Also it brings the audience to the character’s level almost as if we experience or are next to her whilst the event takes place. In this way we sympathize with the character and this emotion from the audience continues as the shot of the character being dragged away continues.

Shot number 7:This shot is another close up and is used to clearly show the harsh emotion on the characters face. I think this shot would have made the audience clear on the situation that was happening. That there was no confusion on that people were in the house and going to kidnap her.

Facial expressions: the main character’s (the girl’s father) face changes from relieved to worried and stressed as the camera zooms in to a close up to stress

Shelby McCormack 17/09/13

the emotion on the man’s face. Also the girl’s face quickly changes from neutral (as she is explaining to her father where she is to terrified as she watches the abduction of her friend. Lots of close up shots are used to show the clear emotion changes on the character’s faces, also making the audience feel tense as they watch the plain stress and fear of the characters, likening it to what we as the audience ourselves would feel like if we were in that situation.Performance: The performance of the two actors are very convincing as they plainly portray the varying emotions of the scene that was being shown to the audience. For example, both characters use both their voice and their facial expressions and movements to show their emotions (relieved, worried, terrified, angry ect.)Lighting: The lighting used in this particular scene is natural daylight, as the characters are not in any harsh settings, the whole scene is shot indoors. However I did notice that once the kidnapping of the daughter began to take place the shots became closer to the face and the lighting seemed to become darker. This is shown when the camera follows the daughter hiding under the bed, closed and cramped spaces with dim lighting create tension. And I think this was used intentionally to make the audience feel that tension.Costume: The costumes used in this particular scene is not of that much importance, except for the kidnappers, who are clad in black. This is most likely for the audience to work out who is the aggressors in the scene, as black is a colour usually associated with dark, mysterious and sometimes dangerous things. The other costumes are just ordinary clothing that you would see anyone walking around in.Make-up: The make-up used in this scene has no importance whatsoever, perhaps just to make the characters more real and ordinary (e.g. most women wear make-up)