The document analyzes the mise-en-scene elements of a film still that depicts two figures, one illuminated and one in shadow, in a dark room lit by floodlights. It discusses how the lighting creates high contrast and ominous tone. The long shot and focus on the shadowy figure enhance the thriller/horror effect. While the camera angle implies neither figure is more important, the composition and staging position increase a sense of anxiety and unease in the viewer.

1. Mise-En-Scene
By: Calvin, Dzung, & Neil

2. The Dominant: The trail of lights in the dark room guide our eyes to the
silhouette of the figure in the distance, then returns us to the person
closest to the camera, who is out of focus. This happens because we look
for contrast between light and dark, leading to the shadowy figure in
focus, which creates an ominous and mysterious tone.

3. Lighting: There is an incredibly high contrast between the bright
floodlights against complete darkness within the scene. In addition, the
person to the right of the frame is illuminated while the mysterious figure is
in the dark. These aspects add to the thriller/horror effect of this film.
(Also the movie is called “Lights Out”)

4. Shot and Camera Proxemics: The long shot from which this frame was
filmed from makes it feel like the perspective is that of someone who is
hiding and watching the events unfold. In turn, the thriller/horror effect is
enhanced. Furthermore, the person farthest from the camera is shown in
full while we only see an out of focus bust of the closest character.

5. Camera Angle: This shot is from eye level, implying that either person in
frame is not more important than the other. However, while these shots
aren’t regularly dramatic, this one could add to the thriller effect by making
the viewer uneasy, as no one person is depicted as more powerful by the
camera angle.

6. Color Values: No aspects of this shot are in color, besides the character
closest to the camera. As such, the illuminated blue shirt contrasts
immeasurably from the rest of the frame. This could express the
passiveness of this character as opposed to the implied mystery or
danger of the silhouetted character.

7. Lens/Filter/Stock
The lens is a long angle because the background has depth. There isn’t any
hints of the use of telephoto and wide angle lens. There is hints of slow film stock
for how much light is needed for this picture scene.

8. Subsidiary Contrasts
The subsidiary contrast first starts with Paul(blue denim shirt) because of how
his shirt contrast with the scene and how he is larger. And moves on towards the
person like dark figure in the light which is also focused, making the figure
important.

9. Density (D)
There is not a lot of objects that can be visually seen besides three main
focuses which are: Paul, the black figure, and the light spots shown on the floor.

10. Composition (D)
This scene is a diagonal composition. Paul would be the starting point and the eye then would shirt
diagonally toward the black figure. And the image does give the sense of anxiety and tension.

11. Form (D)
The form of this shot would be closed for how intricate the shot is. And this shot
has a proscenium arch because the people are arranged in a way to show some
balance.

12. Framing
This shot is moderately loose because Paul’s body takes up about half of the
screen and there are boxes on the walls making the space smaller.

13. Depth of Field
The shot is at a medium depth. The background and midground are in focus
and the foreground is not this is because the focus of the shot is the monster and
not Paul.

14. Character Placement
The character Paul is at the right edge of the screen and this implies that he is
insignificant compared to the creature at the center of the room which the focus is
on.

15. Staging Positions
The man to the right of the picture has his back to the camera this is because
he is alienated from the rest of the world. In the frame he is alone with the monster
and has no contact with the outside world.

16. Character Proxemics
These two characters have a public distance from each other.
They are about twenty five feet away from each other this is because
these two characters have never met are not comfortable with each
other.