This is my analysis of a scene from 'Taken' (Thriller genre)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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 isto terrified as she watches the
abduction of herfriend. 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)