Mise en scene

1. Mise-en-scene Andrew Goldman
What does mise-en-scene mean?
An element showing everything recorded on the screen
What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene?
 Colour
 Costume
 Props
 Setand Location
 Performance
 Lighting
Colour:
How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?
Their clothing colours signify the type of character they are. For example Cruella de
Ville has red and black clothing to signify her dark and dangerous. Cinderella’s white,
sparkling dress represents her purity and magical aura. Maleficents green skin and
dark clothing represents her evil persona and despite trying to look grand, still reeks
of dark themes.
Costume:
What can we interpret from these costumes?
We can interpret their class and social billing from the clothes that they wear. For
example the clothing worn by the first picture brings up the interpretation of a lower
class family with less money and social standing. Whereas Sherlock and Watson
have well worn, expensive looking suits which interprets a higher social standing and
greater wealth. Also it shows their profession, long coats are often associated with
well-kept detectives.

2. Mise-en-scene Andrew Goldman
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.
Props needed: Option 1 = A table with a single standing lamp directly shone in the
suspects face to signify tension and put focus on the suspect. Pitch black but for
lamp.
How would actors be directed to use them: One detective sat behind desk and one
standing behind suspect holding lamp in his face to show authority and intimidation.
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:
How is lighting being used to create mood in the following examples?
In the first picture, lighting is used to create an eerie, uneasy type mood as its dark
around the outside, however the actors prominent in the shot are well lit up to show
the importance of the characters present.
The second example uses light as both a mise-en-scene to show the shot and to
signify the characters tone. Mostly ambient lighting coming through the window could
signify the woman being a pure character and the man the opposite.