Lesson 2 - Mise en scene

AS FILM STUDIES: Mise- en- scene

 Cinematography (lit. writing in movement) is basically moving photography (lit: writing in light). As photography must have an object to photograph, cinematography must have an object to film. This may be done be placing objects in front of the camera or by putting the camera before objects found “on location”. Mise en scene is a French term borrowed from the theatre, which literally means “placed on stage”. Mise en scene can be thought of as what cinema has in common with theatre.

 

Every image we see on a film is the result of numerous choices. Each element we see has been placed there. The questions we have to ask are “why?” and “to what effect?”

The elements of mise en scene are:

 

·       Setting/decor

·       Costume and make up

• Body language/movement
• Lighting
• Props

Mise en scene should not be thought of simply as “props”. The information given in mise en scene can inform the viewer about all aspects of the film and as we will see, careful selection of these five elements can lead to the construction of a completely different world. 

Setting & Décor

Setting can provide not only geographical backdrop to a film but can also provide us with emotional or psychological tone. It can set tone and atmosphere and provide information on the historical time of the film or the state of the mind of the protagonists. How a room is decorated and how objects are used to furnish that room provides another way in which meaning can be evoked. Décor can relay information about character, genre atmosphere and setting.

Costume and make up

Think of the judgements you make about people in your day-to-day life based on their clothing and you will understand the power of costume. Costume can ground a film historically (think of the elaborate costumes required for BBC period dramas) and provide information on social and cultural background. Naturalistic costumes can show social class, and OTT costumes help create the atmosphere of fantasy films.

Costume changes are often used to indicate narrative changes, or changes in a character’s mood or role (think of Cinderella and other “rags to riches” stories). Sexual attraction and power (both very important in film narrative) can both be expressed through costume. 

Body Language/Movement

The way characters stand, move or rest is a key to us for “reading” their characters. A nervous character may be jumpy and continuously looking round, while a confident character may walk slowly with their head held high. Body language can be an indicator of how a character feels at any point. Certain body language can become linked with the role of particular actors – John Wayne’s walk became famous for example, and showed him as powerful, confident and in control. Body language can also indicate characters’ relationships to one another – a character who is more powerful, or a threat, may loom over another.

Lighting

  

It is worth remembering that nothing can be seen (and therefore filmed) without light. Lighting is hugely important in generating mood and atmosphere.  It can throw shadows, illuminate key objects or exaggerate or emphasis a characters feature. Lighting can intensify or soften the mood of a film or a character.

Two examples might be top-lighting and under-lighting. Top-lighting will often flatter a character and can be used to show beauty or glamour, while under-lighting has the opposite effect, and can create an eerie or ominous mood. 

Props

Iconography and props can play a key role in determining the plot of a film – a camera might linger on a murder weapon, or a pile of cash. They can show us a film’s genre (think of a sheriff’s badge or six-shooters). Props can also be used to provide information about characters or to dramatise key moments in a film i.e. Luke Skywalker’s “light sabre” – a warm colour vs. the blue tones of Darth Vader’s.