Mise En SceneThe stage pictures of the film world

Analyzing ScenesWe have spent quite a bit of time this year

analyzing scenes in theatre. We have looked closely at blocking and movement, we have discussed set, costumes and props, and of course characters and characterization

In the world of film, similar ideas are taken into consideration

“Mise-en-scene” is a term for this type of scene analysis

Mise-en-sceneoriginally a French theatrical term, meaning

“placing on stage.”For the student of film, a useful definition might

be: ‘the contents of the frame and the way they are organised’.

Mise-en-scene, then, is the manipulation of staging and action within a shot during the filming,

So, what do directors need to take into account when

staging a shot?… lighting, costume, decor, properties, and the

actors themselves… framing, camera movement, the particular lens

employed and other photographic decisions. Mise-en-scene therefore encompasses both what

the audience can see, and the way that we are invited to see it.

Mise-en-scene is the process of visualizing all

aspects of a scene I think that one of the biggest problems that we have in

our business is the inability of people to visualize. Imagine a composer sitting down with a blank music sheet in front of him, and a full orchestra. “Flute, give me a note if you please. Yes, thank you very much,” and he writes it down. It’s the same thing, but a man can compose music directly on paper and what’s the result? It comes out as gorgeous sounds. The visual, to me, is a vital element in this work. I don’t think it is studied enough.

--director Alfred Hitchcock, Directing the Film

Systemic Mise-en-scene Analysis

In a step-by-step Mise-en-scene analysis of a scene, what specific questions should be asked?

Shot and camera proxemics

What type of shot is it?Extreme close-up/close-up/medium

close/medium/medium long shot/long shot?Where does this direct our focus?

How far way from the action is the camera? In the scene from Psycho, most of the action is a

medium close-up, as Hitchcock emphasizes the small space of the shower (and avoids showing any nudity)

AnglesAre we looking up or down on the subject, or is the

camera neutral (eye-level)?High Angle ”looks” down on the subjectLow Angle “looks” up at the subjectFlat Angle the camera is at eye level and on the same

plane as the subject In the Psycho scene, most of the scene is shot at a flat

angle, placing us in the scene with the victic and the killer. However, the shots of the shower heard are from a low angle, again putting us into the victim’s shoes to increase suspense

Lens/Filter/ColourHow do these distort or comment on the

photographed material? For example, in this image an amber filter on

the camera makes the entire scene look like it is lit by the orange glow of candles, even though in reality the scene would have been filmed in a reasonably well lit room.

Lens/Filter/Stock cont’dDirectors will often play with different camera

lenses, filters, or stock (types of film) to achieve a certain look.

In The O.C., one of the greatest T.V. shows of all time, every time the characters visit the grungy, poor neighbourhood called Chino, a dirty, grainy lens was placed on the camera in order to make Chino seem rougher and poorer than the nearby rich Orange County.

Lighting StyleHigh or low key? High contrast? Some combination of

these? high key lighting: bright, even illumination and few

conspicuous shadows; comparatively little contrast between the light and dark areas of the shot--used most often in comedies or musicals

low key lighting: emphasizes diffused shadows and atmospheric pools of light; there is a strong contrast between light and dark areas of the shot--used often in atmospheric thrillers, horror or noir

high contrast: harsh shafts of light and dramatic streaks of blackness

High Key Lighting

Low-key lighting

Use of high contrast to heighten drama

CompositionWhat is dominant in the scene? Where does

our eye travel first?Why does our eye travel to the dominant area

first? Is it use of light? Placement on the screen? Camera angle? Motion? Intrinsic interest (that is, what is happening in the story)?

This concept is very similar to focus in stage pictures

Composition ContinuedWhat are the subsidiary contrasts to the

dominant image?That is, where does our eye travel after we have

taken in the dominant image? Why?

Density and DepthHow dense is the texture of the mise-en-scene?

How many different stimuli do we take in at once, and how are these significant?

Is the background to the scene important or symbolic?

Is the emptiness of the scene important or symbolic?

On how many planes is the image composed? Does the background or foreground comment in any way on the midground?

Framing “the amount of open space within the territory of the frame” tightly framed: a close shot--often suggests entrapment or

confinement loosely framed or wide framed: a long shot—often suggests

freedom internal framing: the suggestion of entrapment by using a

neutral object (such as a doorway or window frame) to symbolically “confine” a figure

Do the characters have no room to move around in, or can they move freely without impediments?

What does this suggest about the characters or their situation? How does it make the audience feel?

Tight Frame

Wide Frame

Stage Positions and Characters Proxemics

Staging positions Which way do the characters look vis-à-vis the camera?

Character proxemics. How much space is there between the characters and objects?

What does this suggest about the focus of each character? What does this suggest about the relationship between characters, and about their environment?

Actors!And of course, it goes almost without saying that the

director must take into account the actorsHow do they look, what are there costumes, what is

their makeup, how do they say itEtc.Etc.Etc.For hours and hours and hours. Shot after shot after

shot.

And anything else the director wants …

As you can see, directors must take into account an overwhelming number of factors when planning each scene – and indeed, each shot

You would be amazed how much time can be lost of a film set to these sorts of issues

Anyone working in film – including actors – requires and understanding of the importance of these elements to successful filmmaking

The O.C.The O.C. is the bestTherefore, we are going to watch the pilot

episode and stop in several places to consider elements of Mise-en-scene

Then, I will give you your next assignment. Which, you guessed it, will be a Mise-en-scene analysis of a scene of your choice.