Here is another film trailer of the movie Taken which I have also studied for my FM3 Creative Project. Again I couldn't find the clip I wanted to show but the trailer does focus on the particular part I wanted to use. The sequence I have studied is the one where the girl gets taken from under the bed. I have used this sequence as it is where i got my idea from; this film is what inspired me to do a thriller. The film itself is a thriller/action genre it falls into both categories whereas I have just stuck to the thriller genre. Cinematography has been used really well in the sequence the camera focuses at a close up from under the bed of the girl her face is almost trapped in the frame like she is trapped under the bed. Like the other trailer i like the way editing is used to create suspense and fear through the quick cuts which have been put together to act as a flashback of all the sequences then a loud bang at the end which makes the audience jump, this is something i want to create and it has gave me great inspiration to take my ideas further.
Cinematography:
In the terms of cinematography Taken uses a selective range of camera materials and techniques. More commonly than ever close ups and medium shots. The use of close ups is exaggerated to show the emotions of the characters which is important because in order for us to feel frightened we need to feel the emotion from the characters, close ups also build tension the longer they linger; however this isn't apparent in all situations as they can be become to long and boring. They build up tension in situations like Taken when Liam Nesson explains to his daughter that she has to be taken. The long shot shows the thought and the hesitation he has because he has to find his daughter but the close up allows the audience to read his facial expressions and understand the emotion of letting his daughter into danger. Close-ups also trap the audiences head in the frame emphasising that they are trapped themselves, it connotes how there is no escape. Close ups in thrillers are also used on the attacker however they are used to disguise their identity the close ups usually focus on their body parts for example feet hands and mouth this gives us clues to who the attacker could be but doesn't give it away which makes the audience feel part of the detective team which they want to be involved in the film so this allows them to feel like that. Establishing shots are frequently used to allow the audience to establish where they are because in the film there are a number of locations and the characters don't want to be confused from the cross-cutting backwards and forwards. However this will not be essential in my film because cross-cutting won't be needed.
Editing:
In terms of editing in the actual film it is not as extreme as the trailer. The film trailer uses editing to fascinate the audience and makes the film look exciting and full of special effects to create an impact on the audience. For example the shots flash from black and white into colour this is effective because it works with the rhythmic editing and the flashes make the shots more distressed emphasising the thriller genre and the feeling of the thriller happening to you. The flashes act as a symbol connoting hoe life flashes before your eyes which is ironic because it is being used as his daughter is explain how scared she is and how her friend was taken this results to the audience feeling the impact of the situation how they would feel if it was their daughter. Taking the colour away is also important as it signifies how all the colour and happiness has been drained from the holiday, and how all their emotions have drained out of them as they don't know what to do.
Performance:
The performance in the thriller genre is particularly important the characters have to be strong and comfortable with being dominant in the frame. The characters a lot of the time have to express their emotions and feeling through tight framing. The attacker is quick and forceful and never looks directly in the camera at the same time as looking strong they have to be weak in order to be defended and for the audience to take Liam Nessons characters side.
Mise-en-scene:
The lighting is an important element of mise-en-scene in the clip. When his daughter steps into the holiday home we see how the house is big and empty everything is white which creates cold lighting, there is no sense of belonging or wanting in the house the scene looks cold, the cross-cutting between this scene and Liam Nesson at home scene contrasts on a huge scale. The lighting on him is very orange creating a warm sense of belonging which connotes that it’s the location where the girl should be, where he wanted her to be, the lighting dims off him and creates one side of the frame to be black which connotes how he knew in himself that the holiday was bad idea and he feels guilty. The costume is important his daughter is a very child-like dresser she wears long ‘pretty’ dresses which flow down to her knees and a denim jacket with little pink jewels on which shows the audience that she is a very girly girl and very vulnerable which connotes that she is an easy target. Liam Nesson wears more or less the same in each of his scenes he wears either a suit or very dark long sleeved t-shirts and trousers. He looks like any ordinary person; which is done deliberately, as he tries to hide what he does as his job, however it makes him stand out particularly in other countries as they all wear shorts and he walks around in his suit pushing past people connoting to the audience that he is a powerful strong man.
Overall:
Overall the analysis of Taken
has helped me develop ideas for my short film especially in terms of editing.
Even though I am doing a short sequence I am interested in using some of the
trailer conventions to make my work look better. It may be breaking the codes
and conventions of thriller scenes but in order to make my piece look good
these elements need to be added. I like the idea of draining the colour away
and using flashbacks. The draining of colour will particularly work in the
tracking shot as her life is flashing before her eyes yet she doesn’t know it
and it will also help add tension to the sequence as the camera lingers and
tracks her to the vehicle.
