3. Learning Objectives
Identify the different methods of
analysing a shots composition
Identify:
Mise-en-scene
Visual Signifiers
Evaluate the use of mise-en-scene
and visual signifiers in Metrolpois &
Fargo
4. Shot Composition
Rule of Thirds
This rule states that the main points of interest in a
shot occur ON or NEAR an intersection of the image if
it were divided in to thirds
Perfect
execution?
As you can see
the points of
interest are on
the
intersections
and the image is
divided in to
Draw the intersections on your handout image thirds
5. Shot Composition
Foreground / Background
Some shots will have a ‘point of interest’ in the foreground and one
in background, giving the image ‘visual depth’
Some shots will:
Blur out the background and
focus on the subject in the
foreground
This type of shot ensures our
attention is on the object in
the foreground
6. Shot Composition
Foreground / Background
Some shots will have a ‘point of interest’ in the foreground and one
in background, giving the image ‘visual depth’
Some shots will:
Blur out the foreground and
focus on the background.
Attention is drawn to the
background – the audience
know something the character
doesn’t – essential for building
tension
7. Shot Composition
Foreground / Background
Some shots will have a ‘point of interest’ in the foreground and one in
background, giving the image ‘visual depth’
Some shots will:
Keep both foreground and
background in focus
Audience attention is constantly
switching between the
foreground action and
background action
8. Image analysis
Analyse the following images and make notes on their
composition.
Do they follow the rule of thirds?
What is our attention drawn to? Why do you think this is?
What type of focusing has been used?
9. Drive
Background Blurred
Foreground in focus
The character is to the left and lots of
empty space to the right of the shot –
attention is drawn to the diver
10. Moulin Rouge
Foreground
in focus
‘Flat’ image
The positioning of the characters to the edge of the
frame leaves a lot of space empty space between them.
The male characters nervousness and female characters
confidence are clearly outlined through the composition
of the shot
11. Micro Element 2: Mise-
en-Scene
What is ‘Mise-en-scene’?
A French term that roughly translates to
“Everything that is put in to a scene”
Look at these still – everything you
can see is part of the mise-en-
scene
Mise-en-scene encourages us to
‘read ‘a scene in a particular way
and offers the viewer information
connected to
characters, genre, atmosphere, mo
od, place and time
12. In pairs make a list of all the elements you think make up a
films ‘mise-en-scene’
e.g. Make-up
Body Language &
Costume Movement
Special
Lighting Effects
Mise-en-scene
Filmmakers Props
Script tools
Sets
Actors
13. Visual Signifiers
Mise-en-scene is vital in conveying
‘visual signifiers’
It is through the visual elements of the
scene that we extract meaning
Visual Signifiers
Elements of Mise-en-Scene that provide
important information about character
motivations, setting, environment and
period of time.
As an audience, we can identify these
signifiers and gain important
information about the film
14. Analyse the following stills and make notes on the
visual signifiers
TASK
How have the different elements of mise-
en-scene been used in these shots?
What does the mise-en-scene tell us
about the film / character / location /
story?
17. Visual Medium
• Watch the following extract from silent
film: ‘Metropolis’ (1927) Dir: Fritz Lang
and complete the following task:
• What can you see on the screen?
• What does the mise-en-scene tell us
about this film?
• What can the audience expect from the
film?
– Genre? Story line? Characters?
Metropolis (1927)
Dir: Fritz Lang
18. Visual Signifiers
Scientific equipment tell us that we are in
a Laboratory.
The characters dress and appearance
confirm that he is a scientist
The equipment in the lab tell us the
technology is advanced, suggesting that
the film is set in the future
We can also confirm that the film belongs
to the Science Fiction genre
We can also confirm that the woman lying
in the ‘test tube’ is linked with the Golden Metropolis (1927)
Robot. Her consciousness is being
Dir: Fritz Lang
transferred from her to the robot
19. Mise-en-scene - setting
The setting of a scene is crucial to our
understanding of time and place.
We can locate ourselves in a certain
time, place, country or even galaxy!
The setting will convey basic information like:
• Time and Date (present day or historic)
• What type of characters (Urban/‘city slicker’ or
Country ‘innocents’)
It may also convey Isolation
(horror), Claustrophobia (thriller) or it may indicate
wealth, poverty or class as well as many other
things.
20. Setting
Setting within a film can evoke many kinds of responses.
They can mirror the emotions of a character, establish place and
time, and offer information about themes within a film.
The bright picket fences, well kept lawns
and neat houses of the setting for Sam
Mendes’s ‘American Beauty’ are too perfect
and provide a picture-book surface for
dissatisfaction of the characters.
21. Summary
• Mise-en-scene
– ‘What is in the scene’ – all of the elements you see on screen
make up a films mise-en-scene
• This includes:
– Props
– Setting
– Costume
– Hair & Make-up
– Special Effect (SFX)
– Lighting
– Decor
• The mise-en-scene encourages the audience to read a film
in a certain way
• It provides additional information that is essential to the
narrative of the film
22. Summary
• All of the object, set decoration, clothes and props
you have identified are known as VISUAL SIGNIFIERS
• Visual Signifiers
• Elements of Mise-en-Scene that provide important
information about character
motivations, setting, environment and period of time
• Mise-en-scene is crutial to our understanding of time
and place
• By analysing a films mise-en-scene we located the
time, location and period that the film is set
23. Visual Signifiers
Analyse the following still from ‘Dracula’ (1933) Dir
Tod Browning and make notes on the visual
signifiers... Consider:
TASK
How have the different elements of mise-
en-scene been used in this shot?
What does the mise-en-scene tell us
about the film / character / location /
story?
24. Reading a scene
Mise-En-Scene
Costume
Props
Lighting
Set /
Location
Movement
/ Body
Language
