2. What is Mise-en-Scene:
■ Mise-en-Scene, a French term, is how props and everything
is staged in a scene. It is everything that the viewer can see
in a shot. In French, it means “placing on stage”.
3. Costume :
■ The costume is a key part in any movie. The costume suggests what time era the
film is set in, the genre and much more. It also helps the viewers identify aspects
of the character. For example, if the character is wearing a very expensive suit, the
viewers are lead to assume that the character is one who is very rich and wealthy.
In contrast, if the character was wearing ripped and dirty clothes the viewer is left
to assume that the character is poor and struggling financially. If the character is
seen wearing strange and abnormal clothing that is fashionable yet very strange,
the viewer is left to assume that the film is set in the future. This is through the
costumes of the character. Likewise, if the character was seen wearing Victorian-
era clothes or very posh and older clothing the viewer can predict that the film is
set in the past and set in older times.
4. Makeup:
■ Makeup can be used to help a character look more like another. This was done in
the movie ‘Frida’. This allows the audience to know that this actor is meant to be a
representation of Frida and helps them envision this. Makeup can also be used in
the film to connote meaning. An example of this is the Joker in Batman. We
identify him as evil due to his scary makeup and his almost clown-like face
makeup We also may use prosthetics to make an actor further look like someone
else or something else. This is evident as in a large magnitude of films such as the
Guardians Of The Galaxy through the character of Drax The Destroyer. It would take
5 makeup artists 5 hours each day to prep the character and turn David Bautista
into Drax.
■ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EWPe-9OD68
5. Setting and Props:
■ Props- a specific item that helps the narrative and creates meaning. It may help
the viewer identify the genre of the film. An example of this is when a gun is
pointed at the main protagonist. This shows that the protagonist is in danger and
the film may be at the peak of the Todorov's 5 stage theory and preview the start
of the recognition of an attempt to repair the damage.
■ Setting- This is the physical space around and in the scene. This varies from a Big
room with black walls almost gothic to a scene in the bright vibrant green grass.
The possibilities are truly endless.
6. Lighting:
■ Lighting is a key feature that directors have power over. They decide the amount of light and the
direction of the light source. It also may be used to indicate the time of day. There are two types of
lighting Low-Key lighting and High-Key Lighting.
Low Key Lighting:
■ This is often seen in the horror and thriller genre. It keeps the audience in the dark and creates
suspicion around the film. The viewers may be unable to clearly see the characters faces and emotions
creating an enigma around them. This is effective in the horror genre when creating dramatic irony and
leaving the viewers in the dark. This thus further creates mystery and tension surrounding the
characters.
High key lighting:
■ This is often seen in romance and comedy movies. The scene appears to be very bright with a lack of
shadow in the scene. The viewers are able to clearly see the characters face and their expressions. This
is effective as in the romance and comedy genre the viewer must always be able to clearly read the
character’s emotions and reactions.
