Taxi Driver: Screen Language

Taxi Driver
Screen Language:

-Must learn and continue to learn throughout careers as writers, directors and producers.
-A complex integration of visuals and sounds.
-Allows you to add layers to the story that go beyond the words on the page of the scripts.

Taxi Driver:
-Directed by Martin Scorsese, prime example of a director adding layers.
- Made on location with no special effects.



Characters:

Travis:
-looks ordinary
-Layers come away as more layers appear within the character
-He is a former marine, this is all visually conveyed, revelation of the character; signifies a change in character.
-Mohawk used to appear threatening, reference to the Airborne Division.
-Becomes the soldier again, shows new wounds, both physical and characteristic.
-The Anti-Hero.

Betsy:
-wears white, purity,'an angel'.
-wearing red when she meets Travis, power, lust, provoking.
-Ending scene, becomes a pair of eyes, Travis's imagination, loss of Travis's interest.

Iris:
-A friend
-Understanding
-Blind to what has been going on around her. End scenes, blind to Travis's actions.
-Innocent.

Other characters:
-Unique
-Distinct
-Invested.

Suit of Armour:
-Travis Mohawk- Travis is going to war.
-The Man with no Name- 'A Fistful of Dollars'.


Setting/ Location:
-Time/ setting/ tone/ character/ mood/ authenticity/ story.
-Cornered/ framed/ trapped.

Scorsese colour palette: Red used to signify foreshadowing or emotion.

Perception/ Perspective:
-How you frame as the director- the perspective you provide- is the key factor in how an audience perceives the story.

Key director moments:
-Characters...
-Where you set the story...
-How you frame and light the story...
-How you edit the story...
Rhythm/ Tone/ Mood/ Sound