This document defines connotation and denotation and discusses the elements of mise-en-scene including location, props, costume, lighting, and characterization. It encourages analyzing how mise-en-scene represents identities like age, gender, ethnicity, and social class. Students are asked to identify examples of mise-en-scene in still images and explain how they link to stereotypical or counter-stereotypical representations. The document also provides guidance on analyzing mise-en-scene in video clips through noting details and writing a paragraph essay.

1. Learning outcomes
•Know the definitions connotation and
denotation.
•Know all the elements of mise-en-
scene
• Identify them in a still image
• Link them to the representation
• Begin to write an analytical answer

2. Connotation and Denotation
What’s the difference???

3. • DENOTATION – what you see?
– Signifiers!
• CONNOTATION – what you think of?
– Signified!
I see a barbie doll dressed in a pink dress
= denotation.
This makes me believe that the character will
be a young girl because it is a children’s toy
and pink is often associated with women
= connotation.

4. Mise-en-scene is made up of…
• Location/ setting
• Props
• Costume and make up
• Lighting
• Characterisation

5. What should you be
looking for?

6. Location / Setting
• Where is it?
• What is that location associated with?
(E.g. Pub – british male. Corner shop -
older asian male. Kitchen – good wife.
Messy bedroom – teenage boy.)
• What colours are used?
• Is it well maintained / clean or in bad
condition?

7. Props
• What props are there?
• How are those props associated with the
representation? (E.g. Make up – female.
Video games – teenage boy.)
• What colours are used?
• Are the props looked after?
• Do they have other connotations?
(religious etc.)

8. Costume and Make up
• What connotations do we have of the
items of clothing? (E.g. Knitted cardigan –
elderly. School uniform – young children.
Hoodies – teenagers. etc.)
• Do they have on lots of make up or a
little?
• What does it show us about their
personality and is this stereotypical or
counter stereotypical?
• What colour / material / fit is it?

9. Lighting
• What mood is set and how does this link
to the representation? (E.g. Dark lighting –
negative connotations – youths. Etc.)
• Is there any kind of colour used?

10. Characterisation
• Body language? (Do they feel comfortable
or uncomfortable in their surroundings /
company?)
• Facial expressions? (How do they feel in
their surroundings / company?)
• Eye contact? (Where are they looking /
who are they looking at? What does this
show us?)
• Levels?

11. How does mise-en-scene show
ethnicity?

12. How does mise-en-scene show
age?

13. How does mise-en-scene show
gender?

14. How does mise-en-scene show
regional identity?

15. How does mise-en-scene show
sexuality?

16. How does mise-en-scene show
gender?

17. How does mise-en-scene show
physical ability/ disability?

18. How does mise-en-scene show
gender?

19. How does mise-en-scene represent
AGE?
Draw a table like this in your book and make note of
how many examples of mise en scene you spot in the
photo and how that relates to the representation (S or
CS).
Location Lighting Props Costume and
make up
Characterisation
Child
Adult

20. How does mise-en-scene show
age?

21. How does mise-en-scene represent
CLASS AND STATUS?
Draw a table like this in your book and
make note of how many examples of mise
en scene you spot in the photo and how
that relates to the representation (S or
CS).
Location Lighting Props Costume and
make up
Characterisation

22. How does mise-en-scene show…?

23. Task: Choose either the gender photo or class and status
photo and answer the following question: How does mise-
en-scene show representations of age / social class ?
The extract shows a stereotypical / counter
stereotypical representations of age / social class
through the mise-en-scene used. The set and props
show a stereotypical / counter stereotypical
representations of ??? because ??? This is
enhanced by the use of costume and make up
because ???. The use of lighting creates a ???
effect so ???
The actor’s characterisation enhances the
representation of gender / social class because ???

24. What about analysing a clip?
• Write everything you can about Mise-en-
Scene in note form.

25. What about analysing a clip?
• Now write those notes into a paragraph of
an essay.
I WILL FORMALLY MARK THIS!