Download Media and Film Studies

Mise en Scene
LO: To understand the term mise-enscene
To be able to apply my knowledge of
mise-en-scene to analyse a clip from
Rome
This French phrase was originally used in the
theatre to refer to the setting, lighting, costume
and behaviour of the actors on the stage.
 It means ‘placed in the scene’ and is now used in
film studies to explain all of the elements that
make up a scene in a movie.
 The director uses mise en scene to guide or
manipulate how the audience responds to the
film.
 Everything we see in a film is mise en scene but
to make it easier the term can be split into
different areas.

 Denotation
refers to an actual word, place or
object – e.g. Los Angeles.
 Connotation refers all the images, metaphors,
words and associations that flood into our mind
when we mention that word, object or place.
 Cinema is a visual medium so relies on the
audience decoding the images they see to
make sense of the movie they watch. This
process relies on the concept of denotation and
connotation.
The location of the drama
refers to where it is set
geographically and creates
connotations which the
viewer would expect to be
fulfilled.
 The setting is more specific
and refers to where the
action takes place. Setting
can contribute as much to
the narrative as characters
do.

How a character is dressed is one of
the most important signifiers to the
audience to how that character will
then behave. The clothes that are
chosen for characters will always
have social significance. Every item
worn will have been specifically
selected to create a character.
 It is not just clothes, but also
makeup that help make an audience
understand a drama and the
characters role within it.


The objects or props that are placed in the scene or used
by characters are deliberately chosen to create a certain
atmosphere (reality) and may also have symbolic
meanings (a divorced man looking at a photo of his exwife.) One basic example is that if a character is shown in
a room with full bookshelves the audience assumes they
are intelligent.
 Communication
by
characters without
dialogue.
 The way a character
walks, stands, looks
and their body
language all help the
audience understand
the character.
 The
colour of a drama,
achieved through the
use of filters and
lighting, can set the
mood of the drama,
distinguish between
the past and present
and emphasise certain
aspects of a character.

The room in which a
scene occurs adds
meaning to the
character. Furniture
can represent a
person’s age and class
for example. If we see
dying flowers in the
room this can be linked
to the protagonist’s
psychological state of
mind.



Low Key Lighting – When the
scene is bathed in shadows and
darkness, to create suspense,
tension and unease
Naturalistic Lighting – Sense of
normality, make the scene as
realistic as possible
High Key Lighting – When the
scene is extremely bright and
highly lit. This represents heat,
passion or extreme emotions.
Let’s watch the opening of Rome
What can you say about:
 Setting and location
 Costume and makeup
 Props/iconography
 Non Verbal Communication
 Set Design/Décor
 Lighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4zQ4k1R
mJU&feature=bf_next&list=PLCE549D17B170
F6E1