II. Mise en Scene / Intro to Cinematography

Me-zaun-sen

A. Cinematography:

The making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for the cinema. Closely related to the art of

still photography.

B. Mise en Scene How visual elements are staged, framed and

photographed. French for “placing on a stage.” Involves:

size, color, light, Placement (objects’ relationship to one another)

1.The Dominant1.The DominantWhere is our eye attracted first? Why?

The dominant can be created by:* the size of an object, * a juxtaposition of lights and darks (esp. in black and white films),* using a color that stands out from the others,* placing one object in sharper focus than the rest of the shot.

                                                                                                                    

                   The dominant in this shot is the character of Enid (Thora Birch). This is created by color, lighting and

focus.

2. Positioning of Characters & Objects within a frame Positioning within

a frame can draw our attention to an important character/object

A film-maker can use positioning to indicate relationships between people.

3. Color Carries certain

connotations which may add meaning (i.e. Red = Danger/Passion)

Can give a scene a particular look, feel or mood

Can be used for dramatic effect

Cool tones (left) are associated with sadness and strife. Warm tones (right) are romantic and happier.

How is color affecting the mise en scene of this shot?

4. LightingLighting can be used to achieve a variety

of effects: Highlight important characters or objects

within the frame Make characters look mysterious by shading

sections of the face & body To reflect a character’s mental state/hidden

emotions (i.e. bright = happy, dark = disturbed, strobe effect = confused

1. Low Key Lighting• Produces an overall darker picture.• Emphasizes diffused shadows and

atmospheric pools of light.• Often used in mysteries and thrillers.• Tends to heighten the sense of alienation

felt by the viewer, hence is commonly used in film noir, horror, mysteries and thrillers.

Low-Key Film Still: The Shining

Low-Key Film Still: Sin City

Watch:

Raging Bull (Scorsese)

Barton Fink (Coens)

2. Film Noir Term used to describe stylish, Hollywood

crime dramas, popularized in the 1940-50s. French for “black film.” Lighting is low key,

very high contrast, and tends to be black and white.

Settings tend to be urban; swirling cigarette smoke adds an air of mystery.

Tone is fantastic and paranoid. Focuses on the dark side of humanity (violence, lust, greed, etc)

Film Noir Still: High Contrast

Watch:

Double Indemnity (Wilder)

Batman (Burton)

3. High Key Lighting• Bright, even

illumination, with few conspicuous shadows.

• Generally used in upbeat scenes, hence used mostly in comedies, musicals and light entertainment films.

Watch:

Some Like It Hot (Wilder)

Austin Powers (Roach)

What types of lighting are used in the following images:

A

FD

C

E

B

What types of lighting are used in the following images:

A

FD

C

E

B

High Key –which items are highlighted…?

High Contrast – Film Noir

Low Key – mental state: dark and disturbed

Low Key –Obvious Focus

High Key –Moderate Lighting

High Key –Oversaturated Coloring