This document discusses various elements of mise-en-scene that filmmakers use to convey meaning, including color symbolism in settings, costumes, props, blocking/performance, and lighting. Costumes, makeup, and hair are used to establish a character's identity and cultural context. Props have symbolic significance and express character traits and mood. Blocking refers to actors' positioning and movement in relation to the camera. Lighting can be high-key for an even look or low-key for high contrast, and is used strategically along with location and set design to achieve specific artistic goals for each scene and film.

1. Mise-En-Scene
Colour
- Colour can appear in several places – the setting, the lighting and the costumes /
makeup.
- The colour symbolises many things, how the character is and gives connotations of
their attitude and how they act.
Costume
- Costumes include clothes, hair and make-up. The way the actors look and how they
dress. It forms an identity and personality for the characters.
- It forms a ‘cultural code’ – the audience understand how costume can provide clues
about the character and the situation.
- Costumes will be deliberate and will have been planned out specific to each
character.
Props
- A prop is any object within a frame or shot. They may be used by the actor or as part
of the set.
- They will have a purpose and symbolic significance – they can express mood and
character trades.
Set/Location
- Some sets will have been built specific from filming. Location shooting involves
leaving the studio environment and filming existing location that has been scouted.
- All the setting scenes have been dressed purposefully for each scene and each film
for a specific reason.
Blocking & Performance
- Blocking refers to the positioning of the actors and the movement within each frame
both in relation to the camera.
- It covers all aspects of actual acting, gestures, expression and accent.

2. Lighting
- Two main types of lighting; High-Key and Low-Key lighting.
- High-Key lighting ensures even light across the frame with little or no shadow or dark
areas – dramatic effect.
- Low-Key lighting allows for high contrast between light and dark within the frame,
often u1sed for horror films.
- Ambient lighting – this means that a scene has been lit using available light or
natural light.