Media Studies

Investigating mise-en-scène

Mise-en-scène

• a French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame

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

The 5 Elements of Mise-en-scène

• settings & props

The 5 Elements of Mise-en-scène

• settings & props

• costume, hair & make-up

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

Mise-en-scène

Settings & Props

• sets & locations are not just random backgrounds

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

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

Mise-en-scène

Mise-en-scène

Mise-en-scène

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

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

What meanings/emotions do these images convey?

Positioning of Characters & Objects in the frame

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

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

What does positioning in this image reveal?

Lighting & Colourcan be used to achieve a variety of effects

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

A

FD

C

E

B

What type of lighting is used in each of these frames?

Colour has many connotations when used in the frame

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

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