mise-en-scene analysis

1. HELK PRODUCTIONS
The Use of Mise-en-Scene
in Our Film

2. What is Mise en Scene?
Dictionary definition: The arrangement of the scenery,
props, etc. on the stage of a theatrical production or on the
set of a film.
Mise en scene is another expression used to explain the
framing and set up of a picture. A picture in media is most
likely to be set up in order to send a certain message about
the film or an individual character to the audience for
clearer understanding of the specific character/film. This
covers the use of body language, framing and props as well
as costume in the scene. These aspects will be considered
by film producers to help the audience understand the film
and the characters. This also covers placement,
background and lighting.

3. Examples
This picture demonstrates the use of Mise en
Scene, as the image has been set up to connote
certain messages for the audiences
understanding. The first and main aspect of Mise
en Scene that has been used, is the use of
costume. This shows the well being and class of
the characters, portraying their wealth and social class, as they are dressed in
expensive clothes and all look classy and well kept. Their costumes are also a
reference to the time period of the film, which is taken from pride and
prejudice 1813. The lighting shows the time of day and is coming from outside,
but the background shows big windows, again this is a reference to their social
class as there’s expensive furniture in the background. The positioning and
placement has been used in this scene to represent the ways of this time
period as the ladies are sat down and the men are stood up, showing the men
are higher than the women and have more power. The furniture is a prop to
represent their wealth as they are high class.

4. Examples
This is another example of Mise en Scene in film. By looking at this still image, the
audience can straight away tell that the genre of the film is likely to be a horror film.
This is perceived from the use of Mise en Scene. Firstly, lighting is used to give a
sense of eeriness and darkness to the shot, which creates the shadow effect in the
background. The protagonist at the front is well exposed due to the lighting used.
This is done to show her expression as a key point in the film as she is scared, and the
audience can derive that she is possibly the victim. Because of the lighting, it creates
a picture, again creating Mise en Scene. This leads the audience’ eyes straight to the
woman and the tree as they are the brightest part to the image. Then the audience
will see the darker shadowing in the background and will notice the other character.
This is a simplistic shot, yet effective from the use f colouring, as there are no bright
colours that distract the audience away from crucial aspects. The protagonists body
language expresses that she may have been running away and is tired and out of
breath, as her shoulders are up and her chest is raised, as she is taking a large breath
in. her facial expression shows she is scared and tired from running. The shadow in
the backgrounds body language shows they are searching for the possible victim at
the front, as they are lurched forwards, they are striding, meaning they may be
walking fast/running and their arms are out, another sign of them walking at a fast
pace.

5. Lighting
We attempted to light the shots to make eve look brighter than the
character of Richard, to make her look ghostly. It was difficult to do
this as we filmed mostly in the day as it fit in better to the groups
schedule for filming. However, we knew we could colour correct this
on the editing software. We used a light to brighten Eve’s appearance
so she looked white and so the light reflected on her white dress. We
also used lighting in the shot of Richard, as he looks at Eve’s
headstone. This was to expose his face more, so the audience can read
his facial expressions to view his sincerity and shock. Lastly, the shot
which used the most lighting was the door scene, which showed the
meeting of the to characters Richard and David. We used lighting to
balance these two angles out and to improve the continuity of the film
as one angle was darker than the other. This allowed the audience to
be able to see both facial expressions clearly as they showed emotions
throughout the conversation.

6. Background and Props
The use of background and props was a big aspect to our film, as
we attempted to fill the background at all times, to add extra detail
in the shot. For example, the moors was a background setting we
used as it was strange place for a teenage girl to be sat at late at
night in a white dress and was convenient for the character of
Richard to be driving past. This also gave an sense f eeriness, which
suited the genre of a psychological thriller. Also, we used the
parked campervan for extra detail in the door scene, as we felt it
completed the shot and proved continuity when filming. Because of
this, it fitted nicely and made the shot look a better quality. We also
filmed from behind of Eves gravestone, to fit the church in the
background. This made it clear for the audiences’ understanding of
where Richard was, as he went to visit Eves grave. This also linked
the background to Eves character, as she is announced dead at this
point in the film.

7. …
This seemed to fit well with the context of the narrative. We also
used props such as letters and dirty glasses, pots and dishes
around the sink, to connote that after Eve’s death, David’s
character became quite the slob and lost interest in being well
kept, due to the grief of his daughter. We used letters to scatter
around the table to prove this point further. We also had
photographs of Eve to represent that love David had for his
daughter and to connote that he misses her and is still grieving
four years on. Lastly, we used the apple pie to create a link and
bond between Richard and Eve, which got them to talk more
and to be able to laugh together and to get along. This started
conversation between the two characters and created a strong
bond and started to show the respect they and for each other.

8. Framing and Angles
We used framing and a variety of camera angles, to differentiate our film. This
kept the audiences interest and attention at all times. For the shots of inside
the car, which viewed conversation with Richard and Eve, we made the shots
eye level as they were heavily dialogue based. By doing so, we wanted to make
the audience feel comfortable within the conversation and like they were a
part of it. This also kept the shots simplistic as no large amount of action was
taking place. We also used framing in the conversation between Richard and
David. We did this by filming an over the shoulder shot, as this is a visually
pleasing shot for the audience. This is also comfortable for the audience to
watch as they know that even though Richards reaction was being shot, David
was still there and visible on screen. We also used a worms eye shot of
Richard picking up his coat and then moved the camera higher by using the
jib. This connotes that at the start of the shot, the audience is seeing the shot
and situation from Richards perspective. However, when the shot moved
higher up and turned into a birds eye shot, the audience then looked down
from Eves perspective.

9. Body Language
We also used body language in our film, as we portrayed Eves character to be
timid and scared. Her body language shows this as she shrugged her
shoulders and kept herself to herself at most times. She portrayed that she
was cold, as she had her arms crossed and was huddled up. Also, in the door
scene as David was introduced to Richard, he expressed that he was angry,
from the use of body language. He did this with and angry expression on his
face, raising his voice and having his arms crossed. As Richard found out that
Eve died four years ago, the audience felt he was shocked, as his facial
expression showed his eyebrows were raised and he had his hand over his
mouth. Lastly, as Richard picked up his coat from Eves grave, he looked
confused as to the situation where he took her home. This was also heavily
reliant on the use of body language. We achieved this as we asked Richard’s
character Dougie, to keep looking around and up into the sky, as well as
having a confused expression on his face, by crossing his eyebrows and by
raising them. We also asked him to keep looking down and checking his coat
as this was the main object that related him to Eve.

10. Costume
Lastly, costume was a big aspect of Mise en Scene in our film. The main costume was
Eve’s dress, as most planning went into this and the message behind it gave a big hint
to the audience about who Eve may be. Eve’s costume, is a white dress, which implies
innocence and vulnerability to the audience, which also fits into the narrative as she is
seen as a ghost/spirit in the end of the film, which explains the white dress. This was
an intended hint for the audience at the beginning of the film.
Richards costume was laid back, to represent that he was a retired man and his
character was not trying to impress anyone. This was done to further connote that he
has lived his life and is okay to settle down. This represented his age as there was a
rock star on the front of his top from his time. This singer was popular when he was
young. This further represents time passing as music is now different today than the
singer on the from of his top.
David’s costume represented that he was a younger working man. However, his
appearance proved he didn’t keep up to his appearance and came across/looked quite
messy and unkempt. This was done by our group asking David’s character, not to
shave, so he had visible stubble on is face. We also asked him to wear old and tatty
footwear, like the trainers he wore and an old jumper, to further represent that his
character does not buy new clothes as he doesn’t bother with his appearance, since the
loss of his wife and daughter. This was a clear sign that David was still grieving.

11. Mise en Scene in Our Film
We have used Mise en Scene in our film in many ways, for clearer
understanding for the audience and to improve the effectiveness of one shot.
There are many examples of when we used Mise en Scene in our film. But
the one that I liked was the balancing of Richards character and Eves
character, during the moors scene as he offers her his coat. At this point, Eve
was sat on a rock huddled up which demonstrates the use of body language.
As Richard goes over to her. Richard stands over Eve, which demonstrates
the male holds all of the power as Eve is seen as a victim and incapable. This
shows that Eve was scared of any stranger approaching her and shows she
was seen as vulnerable to the audience. However, as Richard comforts her
and temps her to taking her home and offers her a coat, she then stands up.
This then shows an equilibrium between the two characters as they are now
on a balanced level. This also shows that Eve may not have been as
vulnerable as the audience would have thought and the characters hold the
same amount of power in this scene.