Mise-en-scene refers to everything within the frame of a shot that appears in front of the camera, including props, lighting, costumes, and staging. It is a French term that literally translates to "placing within the scene" and is used to describe the composition and visual elements of a scene that help tell the story. Mise-en-scene is an essential element of filmmaking that directors use to convey meaning and influence how an audience perceives what they see on screen.