This document defines and explains the five elements of mise-en-scene in filmmaking: settings and props, costume/hair/makeup, facial expressions and body language, positioning of characters/objects, and lighting/color. It provides examples and prompts readers to analyze how each element is used in images to convey meaning and manipulate audience feelings and expectations. Readers are asked to apply these elements to envision a scene from a genre of their choosing.

1. How can you link these items together?

4. Definition: Mise En Scene
• A French term meaning what is in the scene.
• Essentially it is information in front of the camera for
the audience to help them to work out what is going
on
• It is made up of 5 elements: Can you guess what they
are based on the previous image?

5. The 5 Elements of Mise en Scene
• Settings & Props
• Costume, Hair & Make Up
Each aspect of mise-en-scene
within a film and sends
signals to the audience
about how we are supposed
to feel at a certain point
• Facial Expressions & Body Language
• Lighting & Colour
has hidden meanings
• Positioning of characters/objects within the frame

6. Settings
& Props
Settings & Locations are not
just ‘backgrounds’ and play an
important part in film-making.
They can be very important in
terms of establishing genre.
Settings can manipulate an
audience by building certain
expectations and then taking a
different turn
• Where would you expect
the following to be set
and what props you
would find in:
1. A Science Fiction Film
2. A Romantic Comedy
3. A Horror Film

7. Sci-Fi
Rom-Com
Horror

8. On another piece of paper: Pick a
genre of your own and think of a
typical scene. Choose a setting and
some props
Fold this over so it can’t be seen and
pass to the person to your right.

9. 2. Costume, Hair & Make Up
• Costume, Hair & Make Up act as an instant indicator to us of a
character’s personality, status & job.
• It tells us immediately whether the film is set in the present and
what society/or culture it will centre around
• Certain costumes can signify certain individuals (i.e. the black
cloak of a vampire, A cowboys Stetson or James Bonds tuxedo)
• What does the costume, hair and make-up tell the audience in the
following image?

11. On your other piece of paper chose
some costumes you would expect
to see in your chosen genre. What
would the hair be like and what
would the make up be like?
Fold this part over again and pass to
the person on your right.

12. Facial Expressions
& Body Language
• Facial Expressions provide a
clear indicator of how
someone is feeling.
• If someone is smiling broadly,
we assume they are happy but
we may get a different feeling
if this is accompanied by scary
music
• Body Language may also
indicate how a character feels
towards another character or
may reflect the state of their
relationship
• TASK: What
meanings/emotions do the
following images convey:

13. IMAGE 2

14. IMAGE 1

16. What facial expressions would you
expect to see conveyed in your
scene?
Fold…. You know the drill

17. 4Positioning of Characters & Objects
within a frame
• Positioning within a frame can draw our attention to an important
character/object
• A film-maker can use positioning to indicate relationships between people
• What does the positioning in the following images reveal about the
characters/film:

18. IMAGE 1

19. IMAGE 2

21. How do you want your
characters positioned?
Fold. Pass. Done.

22. Lighting & Colour
Lighting & Colour can be used to achieve a variety of
effects:
• To highlight important characters
or objects within the frame
• To make characters look
mysterious by shading sections of
the face & body
• To reflect a characters mental
state/hidden emotions i.e.
• bright = ?
• dark = ?
• strobe effect =?

23. Types of Lighting
• LOW KEY LIGHTING:
• Created by using only the key &
back lights
• Produces sharp contrasts of
light and dark areas
• Deep, distinct
shadows/silhouettes are formed
Example: Horror Films/Film Noir

24. Types of Lighting
• HIGH KEY LIGHTING:
• More filler lights are used.
Lighting is natural and
realistic to our eyes
• Produces brightly lit sets or a
sunny day (right)
Example: Rom-Coms

25. What types of lighting are used in the
following images:
A
B
C D

26. What lighting would there be in
your scene?
F.P

27. Now open the piece of paper
you have and read through it
Does it make sense? If not why not?

28. Look at the next screen shot: a W.S
What does the mise-en-scene tell you?
Think about:
• Lighting
• Setting
•Costume
• Body Position
•Facial Expressions

30. For the following trailer you will need a cop of this table in your book…
Element of Mise-en-scene What can you see? Effect on the audience?
Settings & Props
Costume, Hair &
Make Up
Facial Expressions
& Body Language
Lighting & Colour
Positioning of
characters/object
s within the
frame

31. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kw1UVo
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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B16Bo47
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• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGRhAE
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• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewpYq9rg
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