Inspiration Texts - Taken (2008) Abduction Scene

I am analysing the abduction scene from the film Taken which is a thriller but also can be classed as a drama. This scene is an important part of the movie as it sets up the rest of the plot, is full of suspense and leaves the audience wanting to find out what happens which is what I would be interested in doing in my trailer. In the scene Liam Neeson’s character’s Daughter and her friend are abducted from their apartment after they arrive in Paris. Mis-en-scene plays an important role during this scene, lighting in particular as when we see Neeson’s character there is heavy use of dark lighting in his apartment which displays some of his character’s personality that he is a dark character who should not be messed with. Sound isn’t used much in his apartment with its use being below average but the faint sound of trucks in the background suggests that it is situated near a main road also hinting that his character doesn’t make much money compared to the step dad who lives in a mansion and bought the daughter a horse for her birthday. Sound is used more in the girl’s French apartment in which one of the girls plays music at full blast, for one representing her character as an outgoing party girl but also as the camera moves through the apartment the sound of the music fades but is still being heard demonstrating that this is a big apartment. The only real props used in this scene are mobile phones owned by the characters, when Neeson’s character rings his daughter his is saved as ‘daddy’ in the daughter’s phone representing her character as shy, quiet and timid and still a virgin while her friend is more outgoing freely talking about sex.

The Camera work also plays an important part in the scene. When Neeson’s daughter is on the phone she walks through corridors to different rooms while the camera is on a dolly and moves with her, this shows again that this is a big apartment. Again when she is hiding under the bed from the kidnapper the camera shows a point of view shot from under the bed creeping out and showing the attacker at an angle looking up at him showing that he has more power in this scene and to show the audience her perspective that she is scared. Close ups are of props such as mobile phones and the daughter’s face while on the phone showing her fear and keeping the audience possibly scared or in suspense along with her.