Mise en Scene

What is included in the Mise en scene?

Semiotics “The Study of Signs”

Denotation – What you can see (The literal meaning)

Connotation – What it suggests (The implied meaning)

E.g. A red rose Denotation = A flower that is red in

colour Connotation = Love, romance,

valentines day

Task 1

Mise en Scene analysis:

We will be watching 4 clips from different TV drama sub genres. Use the tables on the following slides of this PowerPoint to fill in your notes about the mise en scene in each.

Sci-Fi – Dr WhoMeaning produced by these elements. What

do these suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your

examples

Setting This clip is set in outer space suggesting this is a sci-fi program.

Decor There is no décor in this clip.

Costume and Make up

In the background there is actors dressed up like security guards with guns in their hands showing they have power over the other characters.

Figure Expression and Movement

The girl is told to go down onto her knees which shows the man who told her to do this has power over her.

Lighting The lighting is quite bright so you can see exactly what is going on. Also this lighting lets the audience see what costume the characters are wearing.

Crime – A Touch of FrostMeaning produced by these elements. What

do these suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your

examples

Setting The setting is in a field where there are police officers which suggests this program is a crime genre program.

Decor The living room décor shows the time this program is set in such as the patterned curtains you would usually see in the 80’s.

Costume and Make up

The costumes suggest that this is set in the 80’s or 90’s. There is special effects make up used to show the boy has been attacked on his face.

Figure Expression and Movement

The figure expression of the boy being interviewed suggests he is shy as his back is bent over and his facial expression looks worried.

Lighting The lighting at the start of this clip is very dark which suggests the time this clip is being set at.

Soap - EastendersMeaning produced by these elements. What

do these suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your

examples

Setting Dinner table which suggests they are having a meal.House which is a typical soap opera setting.

Decor Slightly old fashioned

Costume and Make up

Braid s which is a typical sterotypical view of what a black woman would have.

Figure Expression and Movement

Some of the characters have accents which suggests where they are from and what kind of sterotypical upbringing they would have had.

Lighting Dull lighting

Historical - TudorsMeaning produced by these elements. What

do these suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your

examples

Setting Italy, shows the audience specifically where it is set.

Decor Expensive and stereotypically posh

Costume and Make up

Old fashioned clothing which suggests what period of time this is supposed to be set in

Figure Expression and Movement

Riding horses shows their wealth.

Lighting Natural day light lighting.

Costume

Stereotypes

What is a stereotype?

Can you think of any examples?

If you had to design the costume of a youth offender, what would they be wearing?

Countertypes

This is where the representation is purposefully going against the stereotype

How would you dress a gay male as a countertype?

Representations

In your exam you will have to discuss the representation of one of the following things. Keep this in mind as we go through this task.

Gender Age Ethnicity Regional Identity Sexuality Disability/Physical Ability Class and Status

Task 2 – Costume and Representation

You will be shown a series of stills from TV dramas. Answer the questions that are shown before the image.

Do this in quick note form. You will be feeding back your answers to the class.

Does the costume suggest a historical period?

We are going to look at stills from various TV dramas and you have to decide what period of time it represents.

Life on Mars

Old fashioned because of the cars in the background. The costume the police officer is wearing shows that it is set in the past tense.

Sherlock

Set in this period of time because the scenery in the background is what london looks like today. He looks upper class because of what he is wearing.

Dr Who

Modern day costumes even though the mise en scene is in the past tense.

Skins

Modern day costumes.Typical teenage costumes

What does the costume represent about the character’s social, cultural and national background?

This time when you are shown stills answer the above question

The OC

American Upper class because the males are all wearing suits. Majority of upper class people in America are white. Rich and famous lifestyle.

Holby City

Well educated and very intelligent because she is a doctor. Uniform is identified as American or British. Upper class because she is in a doctors uniform so therefore earns a lot of money.

Shameless

Trouble making teenager on the left. Child sitting on the floor. Girl in he background looks like a chav. Working class family because of the mise on scene and costumes.

What does the costume indicate about the way a character feels, their fortune or status?

This time when you are shown stills answer the above question

Spooks

Well paid because of the costumes they are wearing. The man standing at the front is wearing a suit which shows he earns more money that the other males in this image as they are wearing jeans.

Downton Abbey

The maids have been placed at the sides so they are not the center of attention. All the maids are wearing the same costume so it shows they haven't got a high status.

Merlin

Old fashioned costumes. Women look like they’re from an upper class family from what they are wearing.

Lighting

Task 3

How does the lighting in the scene affect different moods?

Does lighting change? Is it high or low key lighting?

Watch the Spooks Clip on the VLE and discuss as a class.

Figure Expression and Movement

Task 4

Watch Wire in the blood

How does the mise-en-scène affect and reflect the relations between characters?

Consider also the actors performances

Discussion: what thoughts, feelings and emotions are evoked by the actors’ performances?