Mise en scene introduction.

1. Mise-en-scene
What does mise-en-scene mean?
Everything, like people or props, that’s placed in a scene (film or theatre) which can
help manipulate how the audience should feel. In media or film, its everything in a
single shot.
What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene?
Colour
Costume
Props
Set/location
Blocking(where actorsare standinginrelationtoeachother) andperformance
lighting
Semiotics:
The study of signs. The idea that all communication is made with a
combination of signs. Example, wearing a formalsuit to an interview to show
boss a sign that you are responsible.
Verisimilitude: the appearance of being true or real.
Colour:
How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?
1: the character is wearing a fur coat, white on the outside but blood red on the
inside. It gives the image that she seems innocent on the outside but is realty
dangerous. Her gloves are red, symbolic of her having blood on her hands. Her
clothing layers get darker (white, red then black), suggesting she’s more evil on the
inside. The colour of her skin is sickly white, suggesting she is sick (in the head).
2. The lighting is low and has a hazy look to it, suggesting something bad is
happening. The character almost blends in with the background but her colouring is
greener and darker, suggesting she’s evil. Green has connotations of illness and

2. Mise-en-scene
jealousy. She’s ‘green with envy’. The purple in her clothing has connotations of
regal and witchcraft, therefore she herself is regal and has magic.
3. The background gradient colouring moves from black to a midnight blue to the
bottom. The spell is made to end at midnight, showing why midnight blue is a good
colour. The character is the only thing that can be seen, in a light almost white dress
which shows she may be innocent or pure.
Costume:
What can we interpret from these costumes?
1: the outfits suggest the family is not high class. The mother is wearing pink tracking
bottoms and a track jacket; the outfit is loose and not very flattering but more
comfortable looking, suggesting the character does not care much for her
appearance. The two boys are wearing similar puff coats that are stereotypical
‘council estate coats’. The daught is wearing a similar style coat, but she has more
accessories and fur on the coat, which may mean she cares more about her
appearance. The hat she’s wearing is placed sideways which, in the time may be
considered ‘hip’. The clothing looks inexpensive but comfortable, which may be
because the family doesn’t have much money.
2. Sherlock is wearing an expensive tailored coat which suggests he is of high class
and is important. His scarf is placed neatly on his neck which shows how meticulous
he is. Watson is wearing a coat that is less expensive looking and more ordinary.
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

3. Mise-en-scene
on their first date. Decide what props you would incorporate and how the actors
should be directed to use them.
Option2
Props needed:
Candles, wine, roses, white table, red dress, black suit, expensive food, shared
chocolate dessert, fairy lights (low lighting),
How would actors be directed to use them:
Girl smells roses, wine may be held in hand, sharing chocolate dessert. Actors will
wear their outfits.
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?
1. The lighting is dark and slightly green, which create a mood of tension. The
low lighting suggests the scene is supposed to be frightening. By have low
lighting and dark shadows, it creates a sinister feel as things could be hidden.
By using lighting that isn’t natural, it may show that the scene won’t be
realistic.
2. The lighting is fairly light and open, which makes it seem more realistic and
natural. The natural lighting may help support the idea that the scene is supposed to
be realistic. The two people in the scene are in separate lighting (the girl is in the
light while the guy is in the dark) creates a mood of tension as they’re on opposing
lighting.

4. Mise-en-scene
.
He seems slightly childish, as he’s seen playing with a tiny softball at work. Also, his
outfit choice is always casual even though he works at a hospital, which may be
because he is irresponsible and is unprofessional, which is also proven when he
takes drugs at work. He is seen to be wild, for instance when he carries a cane with
fire graffiti on it, even though he can walk. Also, wearing casual clothes highlight how
obnoxious he is. He’s seen to carry a gun all the time, which proves how paranoid he
may be.