Mise-en-scene

What does mise-en-scene mean?Everything in the scene, or ‘placed in the scene’. It creates verisimilitude, which means authenticity of the things on the screen.Other three elements of a scene are:

Cinematography Editing Sound

What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene? Set Blocking Lighting Colour Props Colour

Colour:How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?

Red dress signifies blood, death, evilGreen tint on skin signifies evil, disgust; black synonymous with deathWhite dress signifies purity, virginity, beauty

Costume:What can we interpret from these costumes?Costume represents cultural code, allows audience to react differently to different characters

Left costume choice shows lower class, perhaps lives in a council house, low incomeRight costume shows sophistication, professionalism, fashionable (scarf)

Mise-en-scene

Props:Option 1 - You have to provide props for a tense police interview between two officers and one suspected murderer. Decide what props you would incorporate and how the actors should be directed to use them.Option 2 – You have to provide props for a romantic meal between two characters on their first date. Decide what props you would incorporate and how the actors should be directed to use them.

Objects within a frame, used to dress the set or be used by the actors, sometimes have symbolic significance

Props needed:

Option 1 – Handcuffs on criminal Evidence bag with gun in it Voice recorder Guns Holsters Photos File Table Chairs

Location:Can be a purpose built set or a real location

Blocking/Performance: Blocking refers to the positioning and movement of actors within the frame,

both in relation to each other and in relation to the camera (which represents us, the audience)

Performance covers all aspects of the actual acting – gesture, expression, accent etc

Lighting:

High key-Bright lighting, little dramatic effect, simply makes sure most things in the scene are lit

Low key-Allows for contrast in brightness, shadow often used for dramatic effect

Ambient lighting-Available or natural lighting in the scene

How is lighting being used to create mood in the following examples?

Mise-en-scene

Left picture is low-key, conveys danger, shady dealings, it’s inside judging by the light in the background, it is from above so probably industrial location, two characters are probably good guys because they are well-litRight picture uses ambient lighting, creates realism, character on the left is shaded, so may be evil, the woman is completely lit so may be good