Mise-en-scene refers to everything within the frame of a shot that can be controlled by the filmmaker, including costumes, setting, props, color, blocking/performance, and lighting. It summarizes the key elements as costumes that convey meaning, props that advance the plot or set the scene, and lighting that creates mood. Mise-en-scene is a filmmaking technique used to tell visual aspects of the story and influence the audience's interpretation.

1. Mise-en-scene
What does mise-en-scene mean?
“placed in scene” – everything in the scene
What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene?
Costume
Setting/location
Props
Colour
Blockingandperformance
Lighting
Colour:
How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?
Costume:
What can we interpret from these costumes?
Black andwhitehair-death andpurity
Coat –façadeofinnocence
Black dress-evil core
Red inside ofcoat- blood of
Dalmatians shekills
Green skin–greenwith envy
Black robe- death, evil
Purple collar-royalty, witchy
White dress-innocence, pure
Black/blue-foreshadowit willgo
back to rags
Working class,teenmother, multiple
partners,slouched
Formal clothing,
Looks professor
like,
presentable,
upward stance
and posture

2. Mise-en-scene
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: option 1
Clipboard, pen, evidence, tape recorder, handcuffs
How would actors be directed to use them:
1 police officer slam evidence on table
Location:
Can be a purpose built set 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?
High key lighting: even light with little shadow-little dramatic affect.
Low key: high contrast, shadow for dramatic affect.
Ambient lighting: lit using available light (eg window light)
Picture 1:low key lighting, reflects dismal background, creates tension, sinister
Picture 2: high key lighting, little dramatic effect, calm scene