Taxi Driver – 9 Frame Analysis

By Shannon Shepherdson

This Extreme Close Up (ECU) introduces the main character. The use of the ECU hints at a possibility of a sinister film ahead as the ECU shows the eyes, which are squinting and flicking from side to side adding tension to the beginning of the film, foreshadowing future events.

The next showing of the main character is portrayed through a Close Up. It shows a completely different character and a less sinister looking expression.

A Long Shot of the character walking away from a place that is hinted to be his work place and it also sets the scene and time of day.

Within the next scene a Slow Pan is used to view the characters home.The lack of objects and feminine touch tells the audience that he lives alone.

The Slow Pan continues. The pieces of paper and other objects on the bed suggests to the audience that he, the character, has barely any time to sleep and is constantly working. Hinting at future problems that may occur from the lack of sleep. The character is shown at the

end of the Slow Pan, hard at work on writing something out. The coke can and take away box shows that he isn’t a cook or that he doesn’t have time to cook for himself. Leaving the audience a chance to form their own opinion.

A Tracking Shot is used to follow the front of a Taxi through a City High Street. It leaves the audience querying why the camera’s main focus is the front end of a taxi on a Low Angle.

A Cut is used to another Tracking Shot following the back end of the Taxi, telling the audience that there is a link between this Taxi and the main character shown previously.

The next shot is a Close Up within the Taxi of the driver, who is the main character. Confirming to the audience what his job is and also what time of day his shift is, the night run.