Elements of Mise-en-scene

a French term meaning ‘what is put into the scene or frame’

How it works

●What is put in or left out can make a big difference

●Signals how we, the

audience, are supposed to feel

What can you infer about the film from this picture?

What can you infer about the film from this picture?

What can you infer about the film from this picture?

What can you infer about the film from this picture?

●Setting○ very rarely just backgrounds○ used to influence and audience by building certain

characteristics○ studio set

■ highly controlled ○ on location

■ highly authentic, realistic

1st Element:Setting and Props

●Props○ objects in the setting which play a part in the

action rather than just being in the background

1st Element:

Setting and Props

What can you infer about the film from this prop?

What can you infer about the film from this prop?

What can you infer about the film from this prop?

What can you infer about the film from this prop?

●Costume○ can reveal a character’s personality, social status,

or profession○ gives a sense of time

■ past, present, or future○ clues us into the part the character will play

■ hero or villain■ lead or supporting character

2nd Element:Costuming, Hair & Make-up

What can you infer about the film from this wardrobe?

What can you infer about the film from this wardrobe?

What can you infer about the film from this wardrobe?

What can you infer about the film from this wardrobe?

What can you infer about the film from this wardrobe?

●What costume features would be expected in○ a western genre○ a sci-fi genre○ romantic comedy○ teen issues genre○ post apocalyptic film○ villains vs heroes

●What genre relies heavily on makeup

Preconceptions of the audience

●Hair and Make Up○ can reveal a character’s personality, social status,

or profession○ improves, enhances, or alters the appearance of

the actor for the purpose of the scene■ bruises, wrinkles, wounds■ prosthetics, latex, animatronics

○ helps the actor commit to the role

2nd Element:Costuming, Hair & Make-up

What can you infer about the character from this hair?

What can you infer about the character from this makeup?

What can you infer about the character from this makeup?

What can you infer about the character from this makeup?

What can you infer about the character from hair & makeup?

●a clear indication of how someone is thinking or feeling

●small changes can send out totally different signals●eyes give particularly important signals

○ it is common for the audience to follow the direction of the character’s gaze

3rd Element:Facial expression & Body language

What can you infer about the characters from their body language?

What can you infer about the characters from their body language?

What can you infer about the characters from their body language?

What can you infer about the characters from their body language?

What can you infer about the characters from their body language?

●Lighting○ low key creates a sharp contrast of light and dark

areas, dramatic shadows■ often used in horror and thriller films

○ high key appears normal/realistic■ often used in romantic comedies and musicals■ has little dramatic effect itself

4th Element:Lighting and Color

What type of lighting is used?

What type of lighting is used?

What type of lighting is used?

What type of lighting is used?

What type of lighting is used?

What type of lighting is used?

●Lighting set up○ Key- shines directly on the subject and serves as

the primary lighting○ Fill- shines on the subject from an angle and is

usually at a different angle or intensity○ Back- shines on the subject from behind, serving

to separate the subject from the background

4th Element:Lighting and Color

Three point lighting set up

What can you infer about the character from the lighting?

How does color affect the mood / tone?

How does color affect the mood / tone?

How does the absence of color affect the mood / tone?

●How elements are arranged in the frame○ space between elements○ proximity to camera or other elements○ composition within the frame○ angle of camera to elements

■ high, low, flat, tilt○ framing or shot distances

■ long, medium, close up

5th Element: CinematographyCamera Shots & Angles

Camera Shots, Angles and Movement

What does proximity tell you about these characters?

What does the angle tell you about these characters?

What does the angle tell you about these characters?

What does the framing tell you about this character?

What does the framing tell you about this scene?

Analyze the mise en scene