Key Conventions

Film poster key conventions

• The central image is of Liam Neeson who is confidently standing in a position with his legs shoulder width apart and a gun in his hand. This appeals to the reader as they like to see the main character which is Liam neeson heroic and strong.
• The Secondary images are behind the central image which are all images representing the story line to the actual film Taken.
• The title is big and bold very easily visible right in front of the main character who is fiercely presented at the top third.
• Tagline (like a slogan) There is a slogan at the top left hand corner of the poster which is a quote from Liam Neesons speech in the film.
• Release date is 26.09.08
• Stars are Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
• Critic reviews are 7.9/10 from 397,409 users  on IMDB
• Production blurb is small and faded, perfectly fitted at the bottom of the poster. Where as the star Liam Neeson's name is the complete opposite.

Film trailers: key conventions

• Institutional details – the film studio is 20 century fox, some of the actors are Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen The director is Pierre Morel 
• Short clips of key moments in film to introduce characters and narrative... There is a short clip where Liam Neesons daughter in the film is dragged from under the bed by the people who have broken into the house.
• Fast paced editing to suggest drama and excitement... There is fast paced editing around the end to showcase the father talking to the intruders and while what the intruders are forcing his daughter to do.
• On-screen text... Right at the end there is on screen text presenting the actors and release date but during the trailer there is screen text telling the audience the film production.
• Title and release date – the title is 'Taken' and the release date the is shown within the trailer is 26.09.08
• Social media hashtags / website details: quotes said by the public is.. 'its a very good movie. I gave it a solid 8. I left the movie feel very satisfied' and also 'Just watched this film and have to say, very good in the scheme of things' etc
• Production blurb (usually final shot of trailer) There is no production blurb on the trailer.
• Music that communicates genre and ‘feel’ of film- there is a heartbeat at the end of the trailer to create intensity and also during the trailer before the daughter gets dragged out from under the bed there is a faint drum beat in the background.

Film language notes

Sound

Sound in film includes:

• Dialogue from the actors, e.g when the dad in the film talks to the daughter through the phone.
• Sound effects- There is a sound of heartbeats in the background around the end of the trailer.
• Music involves a faint drum beat during the trailer or some synth.
• Voiceover is not included.

Diegetic and non-diegetic sound

Diegetic: When the dad talks to the daughter through the phone.

Non-diegetic:The is a sweet and soft song in the background when the daughter in Taken runs to hug her dad. This is non-diegetic as the characters are unable to hear it.

Mise-en-scene

Mise en scène literally translates from French as ‘putting on stage’. 

We use it in film studies to describe everything that appears in front of the camera.

When we analyse mise en scène, we need to look at the following:

• Actors- one example is when the daughter is in the other room in paris watching her friend being taken. Her expression while shes talking to her dad on the phone is frightened and fearful.
• Costume and make-up- All of the actors in the film are wearing casual clothes and no make up to symbolise an ordinary life.
• Setting and props includes a telephone, a voice recorder and a gun. The setting in a normal area but then moves over to france where it becomes more hood-like
• Lighting and colour- No special lighting or colour schemes.