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Mise-en-Scene: Design and Composition
Mise-en-scène refers to the overall look and feel of a movie, including the setting, costumes, props, decor, lighting, and acting. It has two aspects: 1) design, which is the look and feel of all visual elements, and 2) composition, which is the arrangement of objects and actors within the frame. Mise-en-scène works to advance the narrative and create motifs, while the setting can relate to the action, other settings, and settings in other films. Composition arranges elements within the frame to present the action and develop themes visually.
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Mise-en-Scene: Design and Composition
- 1. Mise-en-scène “Staging or puttingon an action or scene.” Overall look and feel of a movie.
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- 6. Mise-en-scène 1. Design the lookand feel of settings, props, lighting, and actors (including makeup, costume, and performance) (as in plays) 2. Composition the organization and arrangement of objects within the frame (emphasis, balance, light, shade, line, color, etc.) (as in paintings and photographs)
- 7. Mise-en-scène How does mise-en-scene functionin the film? How does it advance the narrative or create a pattern of motifs?
- 8. Setting How does settingrelate to the action? How does setting relate to other settings in the film? How does setting relate to similar settings in other films?
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- 12. The Social Network (DavidFincher, 2010)
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- 17. Composition The visual arrangementof the objects, actors, and space within the frame. How does composition present the action, develop themes, and create visual effects?
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- 19. Composition The 400 Blows (FrancoisTruffaut, 1959)
- 20. The Royal Tenenbaums (WesAnderson, 2001) Composition
- 21. Composition The House ofMirth (Terence Davies, 2000)
Editor's Notes
- #4 Stage production of “Gaslight”
- #5 Stage production of “Gaslight”
- #10 Play the following clips to show how setting and décor can establish character, advance the narrative, and set mood: 26:50 (Vanessa’s character, class differences), 7:00 (Juno’s room), 22:10 (Paulie’s room: yearbook and underwear).
- #11 Juno was filmed entirely on location in actual houses, etc. The sets were nevertheless designed for the film.
- #12 His Girl Friday was filmed in a sound stage. Studio stages are designed entirely for the camera.
- #13 Many films, such as The Social Network, combine filming on location and on a soundstage.
- #15 Note how Mark’s costume changes over the course of the movie to reveal his “childish” character. In the basement scene (below), he dresses like Juno; both wear a gray t-shirt over a long-sleeved shirt.
- #16 Most of His Girl Friday is evenly lit, so we can see the action and the actor’s faces. This high-key lighting scheme is typical of comedy.
- #17 The story takes place over one day, and into night. Notice that it is now dark outside, and the importance of the overhead lamp for providing light. The scene is darker, as appropriate to the time of day and the mood; nevertheless, the essential action is still well-lit, and we can easily read characters’ facial expressions. Play clip at 1:00:28 (scene with Hildy, Earl, and Molly, to show example of low-key lighting used for expressive effect.