This document defines and discusses the key elements of mise-en-scene in filmmaking, including color, costume, props, set/location, blocking/performance, and lighting. It provides examples of how each element is used to convey meaning and influence audience interpretation. Color, costume, and lighting specifically are used to characterize figures as good or evil or to set a certain mood. Together, the intentional manipulation of all elements of mise-en-scene allows filmmakers to visually tell their story without words.

1. Mise-en-scene
What does mise-en-scene mean?
 Everything you see in the scene directly means ‘placed in the scene.’
 Used in the theatre originally, used in film to describe what’s in the scene.
What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene?
 Colour
 Costume
 Props
 Set/Location
 Blocking & Performance
 Lighting
Colour:
How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?
Dull background
Red symbolises blood
and danger surrounding
this character.
Different coloured hair
shows the split
personality, half back and
white (some good, some
bad)
The black dress shows
that she is dark inside all
of the ‘white’ outside
(coat)
Dark costume signifies
negative atmosphere
around the character.
Green skin, shows she’s
envious of the ‘good’
characters in the film
Black crow, ugly bird,
known as evil.
Dark back ground gives
the impression she leaves
darkness and destruction
wherever she goes.
Cinderella is shown as
pure by the white dress.
White dress, much alike a
wedding dress
emphasises her purity as
a character.
Sparkles show magic
The dress looks like the
Disney castle and reflects
how innocent Disney and
their characters are.
Costume:
What can we interpret from these costumes?

2. Mise-en-scene
Costume;
Costume is considered as cloths, hair, make up. Creates the personality and identity
for the characters. Allows different audiences to react and connect with different
characters. Instant recognition for each character within a film/scene. Costume is
deliberate.
EastEnders;
‘Chavvy’ or lower class
Council house, Not much money
Their clothing reflects little to no income
Outdated puffer coats show they’re not
fashionable with the times or cannot
afford popular/modern culture.
Sherlock;
Social standing
Clean shaven
Upper class
Business- like nature
Long trench coats reflects their
business attire
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:
Table, three chairs, tape recorder/film camera, desk light, two coffee mugs, one
paper cup with water inside, random paperwork in a folder, handcuffs, evidence
bags, packet of cigarettes.
How would actors be directed to use them;
Location:
Can be a purpose built set(in a studio) 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?
Ambian lighting – natural lighting, sunlight.

3. Mise-en-scene
Low key lighting used
Shadows make a the illusion of mystery
and creates tension on the characters
Creates a negative tension in the
location of the scene.
To contrast the background lighting the
characters in the scene are well lit and
the audience are able to see them
clearly. This may imply that they are
good characters placed out of their
usual location.
Good people in a bad place.
High key lighting used
The male is stood in a more lowly lit
area in comparison to the lady in the
scene, this gives the impression that he
may be the ‘villain’ character and she is
better or a more positive character
compared to him.