Mise-en-scene refers to everything presented to the viewer in a film or theatrical scene, including color, costume, props, set/location, performance/blocking, and lighting. It establishes time, place, and mood. Key aspects of mise-en-scene include costumes that convey symbolism or social class, sets/locations that provide context, blocking/performance that positions actors, and lighting that creates atmosphere through brightness or darkness. Careful use of these elements allows filmmakers to communicate meaning through visuals alone.

1. Mise-en-scene
What does mise-en-scene mean?
 Everything in the scene
What are the 6 key areas of mise-en-scene?
 Colour
 Costume
 Props
 Set/Location
 Performance &Blocking
 Lighting
Colour:
How is colour used in the 3 below pictures?
Costume:
What can we interpret from these costumes?
Redcoat symbolises blood.
Two tonedhairrepresents
splitpersonality.
Dark coloursshow that
the character is evil.
Greenrepresentsenvy.
Crow is dark,showsevil.
Lightcoloursshow that
Cinderellaiskindand
innocent.
White symbolisespurity.
Dressis similarto a
weddingdress.
Representsalowclass,notmuch
money,live inacouncil house.
Outfitsrepresenta
highwealth,quite
a highclass,and
probably
intelligent.Long
trenchcoat
reflectstheir
careers.

2. Mise-en-scene
Location:
Can be a purpose built set or a real location
Blocking/Performance:
 Blocking refers to the positioning and movement of actors within the frame,
both in relation to each other and in relation to the camera (which represents
us, the audience)
 Performance covers all aspects of the actual acting – gesture, expression,
accent etc.
Lighting:
How is lighting being used to create mood in the following examples?
Props:
Option 2 – You have to provide props for a romantic meal between two characters
on their first date. Decide what props you would incorporate and how the actors
should be directed to use them.
Props needed:
 Candles
 Table
 Chairs
 Romantic food (pasta)
 Bread on the table
 Shiny cutlery
 Bottle of champagne on ice
 2 glasses
 Other people sat down eating at other tables
 Romantic Music

How would actors be directed to use them:
 Spin the pasta around the fork
 Pour the champagne for the other person
 Pull the chair out for the lady to sit down on
 Sit on the chairs, at the table
Ambientlighting(natural light)
showspositivity.
Low keylighting, hasadramatic
effect.Showssomethingnegative
may/mighthave happen