The document discusses the importance of mise-en-scène elements in the film The Descent. It describes how the dark, underground cave setting creates fear and uncertainty for the audience. It notes that the characters' clothing, hairstyles, and use of makeup and prosthetics provide context clues about their experiences. Props like climbing gear, cameras, and flashlights further immerse the audience in the spelunking scenario. Lighting techniques like night vision and key lighting enhance the viewing experience. Character movements and acting allow the audience to interpret emotional and psychological states. Overall, the intentional use of mise-en-scène in The Descent effectively generates atmosphere and tells the story non-verbally.

1. Mise En Scene
Matthew Hillary

2. Location
Location overall is really important due to the fact that it
gives an understanding to the audience on what the
actors/characters are going through. In The Descent
however they are in a Dark cave underground and this
should make the audience scared as you don’t know when
something is going to pop out. The uses of a cave and the
fact that it is really dark is really effective as it makes the
audience think what is going on.

3. Costume, Hair and Make up
Costume is also very important as it tells the audience
why they are wearing the clothes. For example in The
Descent they wear sports gear like helmets, harness and
also special material clothing as this is the kind of clothes
you will need to climb and explore caves.
Hair however tells the
audience what the
character is going
through. In the Descent
Juno hair is really messy
and looks like she has
been in some trouble.
This automatically tells
the audience she has had
a hard time.
Make up is also very important feature as it can make
people look scary or can make them look really friendly, but
in The Descent they use prosthetics to make the actor look
unusual and terrifying.

4. Props
Props are also an important
feature as it gives an
understanding to the audience
why the characters are using the
prop. For example in The Descent
the actors/characters are using
pickaxes and climbing gear to
climb the cave as these are the
type of equipment you need for
this type of activity. The camera
is also a type of prop as it is used
a first person camera and used as
night vision so the characters can
see better. The flash lights and
the lighter is also classed as a
prop as it assists the characters.
The bones make the cave look
more scary so this is also a prop
as it is a decoration.

5. Lighting and Colour
Lighting is also very important as it helps the audience see and also gives the audience an
understanding of the background and the characters surroundings. In The Descent the use
of night vision is really effective as it gives an understanding on what the characters are
seeing and what they are going through. The use of a flair is also effective as it is first a prop
and also it is the dominate lighting in the shot so in a way it is really effective. The Juno
close up is really effective as it shows us the type of lighting they used. They used a light
called key light you can tell you this due to the one side of her face being lighter than the
other side of her face.

6. Moving and Acting
Movement is also a key factor of
Mise En Scene as it shows what
sate the character is in for example
if you are injured of hurt they the
character will be walking with a
limp or some sort of weird
movement. In The Descent the
creature crawl because they are
primitive they have adapted to the
location and haven't realised they
can walk on two legs. So this is like
a dog or any other type of animal.
The acting however is also really good as it tells the audience what the characters are
feeling, thinking and seeing. In The Descent Juno looks terrified due to the fact that the cave
is full of bones and in realisation this would be quite terrifying, also a great example of great
acting would be when the characters see the crawler for the first time. The producers
purposely did this to see their actual reaction.