'Taken' Abduction Scene
"Mise-en-scene" is a French term for "placing on stage". The mise-en-scene is very important within any genre of film as it creates a certain atmosphere and manipulates the audience's emotions.
In the abduction scene of 'Taken' a window is used on set when the victim witnesses her friend being kidnapped. The obstruction of the window between the victim and the abductor's creates mystery as the audience cannot make out the abductor's faces. This is conventional to a thriller as the mystery makes the audience feel nervous and uncomfortable which is what is expected from a thriller film. It also makes the audience want to continue watching in order to find out who the abductor's are. The fact that the setting is also empty shows that the victim is alone and that there is no-one there to save her. This increases the audience's anxiety as it is obvious that the victim is going to be kidnapped.
In the abduction scene of 'Taken' a window is used on set when the victim witnesses her friend being kidnapped. The obstruction of the window between the victim and the abductor's creates mystery as the audience cannot make out the abductor's faces. This is conventional to a thriller as the mystery makes the audience feel nervous and uncomfortable which is what is expected from a thriller film. It also makes the audience want to continue watching in order to find out who the abductor's are. The fact that the setting is also empty shows that the victim is alone and that there is no-one there to save her. This increases the audience's anxiety as it is obvious that the victim is going to be kidnapped.
The low-key lighting also personifies the mysterious atmosphere when the victim's friend is being abducted. The lighting creates shadows which makes the scene more intense. This style of lighting is conventional as it creates suspense and portrays two innocent females about to get hurt. Knowing that the victim's are going to be taken makes the audience anxious and on-edge which are key emotions of a thriller film.
The colour of the costumes is a major element of this scene. The villain's are seen wearing dark colours and the victim's are wearing bright colours. This contrast exaggerates how innocent and vunerable the females are. This costume design is conventional to a thriller film as it portrays the stereotypical, female victim. The audience would automatically notice the contrast in the costume colour and would immediately recognise who the villain is and who the victim is.
The main iconography used in this scene is the mobile phone that the victim is using. This makes the scene more distressing as the victim's father can here his daughter being abducted. This is conventional to a thriller as the distressing phone call makes the audience feel sympathy for the victim and the father. This sympathy makes the audience support the victim's father and makes them want to continue watching.
Facial expressions and body language is a key element to the scene. The facial expressions of the victim shows that she is frightened and the fact that she keeps looking around the room shows that she desperately wants to find an escape. The father's facial expression when his daughter is being kidnapped shows that he is heartbroken. The body language and facial expression of the actors is conventional to a thriller as it portrays certain emotions and puts the audience in the mindset of the character and makes them feel on-edge.
The elements of mise-en-scene within the abduction scene of 'Taken' is conventional to a typical thriller movie. The lighting, costumes, acting, setting and iconography are presented in an appropriate way to make the scene more intense and leave the audience feeling anxious and uncertain.
The colour of the costumes is a major element of this scene. The villain's are seen wearing dark colours and the victim's are wearing bright colours. This contrast exaggerates how innocent and vunerable the females are. This costume design is conventional to a thriller film as it portrays the stereotypical, female victim. The audience would automatically notice the contrast in the costume colour and would immediately recognise who the villain is and who the victim is.
The main iconography used in this scene is the mobile phone that the victim is using. This makes the scene more distressing as the victim's father can here his daughter being abducted. This is conventional to a thriller as the distressing phone call makes the audience feel sympathy for the victim and the father. This sympathy makes the audience support the victim's father and makes them want to continue watching.
Facial expressions and body language is a key element to the scene. The facial expressions of the victim shows that she is frightened and the fact that she keeps looking around the room shows that she desperately wants to find an escape. The father's facial expression when his daughter is being kidnapped shows that he is heartbroken. The body language and facial expression of the actors is conventional to a thriller as it portrays certain emotions and puts the audience in the mindset of the character and makes them feel on-edge.
The elements of mise-en-scene within the abduction scene of 'Taken' is conventional to a typical thriller movie. The lighting, costumes, acting, setting and iconography are presented in an appropriate way to make the scene more intense and leave the audience feeling anxious and uncertain.
Your analysis of mise-en-scene shows some understanding of how it is used in your chosen film clip. You have identified the main points well and have also considered a range of examples too.
ReplyDeleteTo make your analysis more detailed you need to expand on the points that you are making on the conventions. This will assist in making your analysis more detailed.
The improvements that you have made to the post helps to show further understanding of how mise-en-scene is used within your chosen scene.
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