understanding mise-en-scene
TRANSCRIPT
Mise-en-scène
• a French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame
• visual information in front of the camera
Mise-en-scène
• a French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame
• visual information in front of the camera
• communicates essential information to the audience
Mise-en-scène
• a French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame
• visual information in front of the camera
• communicates essential information to the audience
• made up of 5 elements.
Mise-en-scène
• a French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame
• visual information in front of the camera
• communicates essential information to the audience
• made up of 5 elements.
The 5 Elements of Mise-en-scène
• settings & props
• costume, hair & make-up
• facial expressions & body language
The 5 Elements of Mise-en-scène
• settings & props
• costume, hair & make-up
• facial expressions & body language
• lighting & colour
The 5 Elements of Mise-en-scène
• settings & props
• costume, hair & make-up
• facial expressions & body language
• lighting & colour
• position of characters/objects in the frame
The 5 Elements of Mise-en-scène
• settings & props
• costume, hair & make-up
• facial expressions & body language
• lighting & colour
• position of characters/objects in the frame
Each aspect of mise-en-scène
should add more meaning to the film
and send signals to the audience
about how they are supposed to feel
at a certain point
Each aspect of mise-en-scène
should add more meaning to the film
and send signals to the audience
about how they are supposed to feel
at a certain point
CONNOTATIONS
Settings & Props
• sets & locations are not just random backgrounds
• sets are either built from scratch or a great deal of time is spent to find a setting which already exists
Mise-en-scène
Settings & Props
• sets & locations are not just random backgrounds
• sets are either built from scratch or a great deal of time is spent to find a setting which already exists
• settings can manipulate an audience by building certain expectations (they have connotations) and then taking a different turn.
Mise-en-scene
Settings & Props
• sets & locations are not just random backgrounds
• sets are either built from scratch or a great deal of time is spent to find a setting which already exists
• settings can manipulate an audience by building certain expectations (they have connotations) and then taking a different turn.
Mise-en-scène
Costume, Hair & Make-Up
• costume, hair & make-up are an instant indicator of a character’s personality, status, job, etc.
Mise-en-scène
Costume, Hair & Make-Up
• costume, hair & make-up are an instant indicator of a character’s personality, status, job, etc.
• we know immediately whether the film is setin the present and what society or culture it centres around
Mise-en-scène
Costume, Hair & Make-Up
• costume, hair & make-up are an instant indicator of a character’s personality, status, job, etc.
• we know immediately whether the film is setin the present and what society or culture it centres around
• certain costumes can signify certain individuals (i.e. black cloak of a vampire, Spidey’s Spiderman suit)
Mise-en-scène
Costume, Hair & Make-Up
• costume, hair & make-up are an instant indicator of a character’s personality, status, job, etc.
• we know immediately whether the film is setin the present and what society or culture it centres around
• certain costumes can signify certain individuals (i.e. black cloak of a vampire, Spidey’s Spiderman suit)
Mise-en-scène
Facial Expressions & Body Language
• facial expression provides a clear indicator of how someone is feeling
Mise-en-scène
Facial Expressions & Body Language
• facial expression provides a clear indicator of how someone is feeling
• if someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are happy however other elements can be used to change and anchor the true meaning of the smile.
Mise-en-scène
Facial Expressions & Body Language
• facial expression provides a clear indicator of how someone is feeling
• if someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are happy however other elements can be used to change and anchor the true meaning of the smile.
• body language indicates how a character feels or may reflect the state of a relationship between characters.
Mise-en-scène
Facial Expressions & Body Language
• facial expression provides a clear indicator of how someone is feeling
• if someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are happy however other elements can be used to change and anchor the true meaning of the smile.
• body language indicates how a character feels or may reflect the state of a relationship between characters.
Mise-en-scène
Positioning of Characters & Objects
in the frame
• positioning within a frame can draw our attention to an important character or object
Mise-en-scène
Positioning of Characters & Objects
in the frame
• positioning within a frame can draw our attention to an important character or object
• the positioning of people in the frame shouldindicate the relationship between them
Mise-en-scène
Positioning of Characters & Objects
in the frame
• positioning within a frame can draw our attention to an important character or object
• the positioning of people in the frame shouldindicate the relationship between them
Mise-en-scène
Lighting & Colourcan be used to achieve a variety of effects
• to highlight important characters or objects within the
frame
Mise-en-scène
Lighting & Colourcan be used to achieve a variety of effects
• to highlight important characters or objects within the
frame
• to make characters look mysterious by shading sections
of the face & body
Mise-en-scène
Lighting & Colourcan be used to achieve a variety of effects
• to highlight important characters or objects within the
frame
• to make characters look mysterious by shading sections
of the face & body
• to reflect a character’s mental state or hidden emotions,
i.e. bright = happy, dark = disturbed, strobe = confused
Mise-en-scène
Lighting & Colourcan be used to achieve a variety of effects
• to highlight important characters or objects within the
frame
• to make characters look mysterious by shading sections
of the face & body
• to reflect a character’s mental state or hidden emotions,
i.e. bright = happy, dark = disturbed, strobe = confused
Mise-en-scène
Types of LightingLOW KEY
• created by using only key & back lights
• produces sharp contrasts of light and dark areas
• deep, distinct shadows or silhouettes
Mise-en-scène
Types of LightingLOW KEY
• created by using only key & back lights
• produces sharp contrasts of light and dark areas
• deep, distinct shadows or silhouettes
Mise-en-scène
Types of LightingHIGH KEY
• more fill light is used and the light is natural and realistic to our eyes
• produces brightly lit sets or a sunny day
Mise-en-scène
Types of LightingHIGH KEY
• more fill light is used and the light is natural and realistic to our eyes
• produces brightly lit sets or a sunny day
Mise-en-scène
When analysing a sequence in terms of mise en scène, we need to look at how all the different elements and techniques work together to…
Analysing a sequence
Mise-en-scène
When analysing a sequence in terms of mise en scène, we need to look at how all the different elements and techniques work together to…
• tell a story
Analysing a sequence
Mise-en-scène
When analysing a sequence in terms of mise en scène, we need to look at how all the different elements and techniques work together to…
• tell a story
• evoke an atmosphere
Analysing a sequence
Mise-en-scène
When analysing a sequence in terms of mise en scène, we need to look at how all the different elements and techniques work together to…
• tell a story
• evoke an atmosphere
• give the audience information
Analysing a sequence
Mise-en-scène
When analysing a sequence in terms of mise en scène, we need to look at how all the different elements and techniques work together to…
• tell a story
• evoke an atmosphere
• give the audience information
• provoke an audience response
Analysing a sequence
Mise-en-scène
When analysing a sequence in terms of mise en scène, we need to look at how all the different elements and techniques work together to…
• tell a story
• evoke an atmosphere
• give the audience information
• provoke an audience response
• highlight key themes
Analysing a sequence
Mise-en-scène