Mise-en-scène refers to everything visible within the frame of a film or television show, including the set design, props, costumes, lighting, and arrangement of actors. It allows the director to convey meaning and impressions about characters or situations without dialogue. For example, a cluttered apartment can reflect a disorganized character's life, while a sparse apartment may indicate an "empty soul". Everything visible on screen acts as a sign that audiences interpret based on social and cultural conventions to derive meaning from the context.