my mise en scene definition

1. Mise-en-scene
What does mise-en-scene mean?
Mise-En-Scene translates from a French word which means placed in the scene
What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene?
Colour
Costume
Props
Set/Location
Blockingandperformance
Lighting
Colour:
How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?
Symbolic use of colour can appear in several places-the set, the lighting, the
costumes/make up etc. The top left picture for example features red and black on the
inside of her coat. This connotes danger and death. The fact her hair is black and
white connotes she has a split personality. Top right picture of Cinderella has many
connotations one being her dress his white which connotes purity and innocence.
Costume:
What can we interpret from these costumes?
We can imply from the picture on the left that the people in the picture are lower
class people (stereotypical chavs) we can interpret this by the way they wear their
clothes for example their hats are not straight or smartly put on and they are wearing
puffer jackets. Whereas Sherlock and Watson are wearing smart clothes that are put
on correctly for example the scarf.

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:
How would actors be directed to use them:
Location:
Can be a purpose built set or a real location
Set is a manmade place in a studio whereas location is the real place for example
filming on a real street.
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 (bottom right)- ensures even light across the frame with little or no
shadow or dark areas- it has little dramatic effect
Low Key lighting (bottom left) - allows for high contrast between light and dark within
the frame with shadow often being used for dramatic effect.

3. Mise-en-scene