Mise- en- scene is the French term for ‘what is put into the scene or frame’. This signals the audience to feel more for what is happening as they are able to adjust themselves into the actors position.
The main elements of mise-en-scene are;
Settings – this is usual many shots of different places with no action being taken place. This is hard for the film directors as they have to try and find a scene which fits what they are looking for but a place which already exists. Settings can be used to manipulate an audience by building certain expectations.
Props – these play a huge part in what is happening on scene, rather than just a background the props are used to enhance what is happening. For example a glass containing poisonous wine.
Costume – this is an instant indicator to a characters personality, social status and job. This also allows the audience to be notified of where the film is set and what kind of society it is in.
Make Up – in the early days of makeup it was used to highlight facial features as black and white film couldn’t be registered very well. These days it is used to match the type of genre for example, typical romance, action or comedy.
Facial Expressions – the camera can be at a range of distances portraying the actor in an extreme close up or long shot. Different emphasis is placed in facial expressions and body language according to the type of shot.
Lighting – is used to enhance the mood and create more of a distinction between scenes, characters and settings.
Body Language – allows the audience to gain more of an interpretation of what the actor is feeling. For example if the actor has a open body position whilst smiling then this makes the actor look inviting and welcoming as well as happy on the other hand if the actor squints their eyes, closed body position and a smirk on their face then this gives the impression of being quiet, sad, lonely and not welcoming.
Mise-en-scene is a very important value in film as it can be manipulated very easily for example a tree can look threatening with stripped leaves, adding lighting which gives a shadow. Whereas the same tree can be used to give a very different look by having bright lighting with children running around playing. As an audience hidden signals of lighting, colour, props and characters can add to our understanding of what is going to happen in the film. Here is an example of Mise- En Scene that has been well maipulated.
The main elements of mise-en-scene are;
Settings – this is usual many shots of different places with no action being taken place. This is hard for the film directors as they have to try and find a scene which fits what they are looking for but a place which already exists. Settings can be used to manipulate an audience by building certain expectations.
Props – these play a huge part in what is happening on scene, rather than just a background the props are used to enhance what is happening. For example a glass containing poisonous wine.
Costume – this is an instant indicator to a characters personality, social status and job. This also allows the audience to be notified of where the film is set and what kind of society it is in.
Make Up – in the early days of makeup it was used to highlight facial features as black and white film couldn’t be registered very well. These days it is used to match the type of genre for example, typical romance, action or comedy.
Facial Expressions – the camera can be at a range of distances portraying the actor in an extreme close up or long shot. Different emphasis is placed in facial expressions and body language according to the type of shot.
Lighting – is used to enhance the mood and create more of a distinction between scenes, characters and settings.
Body Language – allows the audience to gain more of an interpretation of what the actor is feeling. For example if the actor has a open body position whilst smiling then this makes the actor look inviting and welcoming as well as happy on the other hand if the actor squints their eyes, closed body position and a smirk on their face then this gives the impression of being quiet, sad, lonely and not welcoming.
Mise-en-scene is a very important value in film as it can be manipulated very easily for example a tree can look threatening with stripped leaves, adding lighting which gives a shadow. Whereas the same tree can be used to give a very different look by having bright lighting with children running around playing. As an audience hidden signals of lighting, colour, props and characters can add to our understanding of what is going to happen in the film. Here is an example of Mise- En Scene that has been well maipulated.
