Film Language:

Mise-en-scene
Today we are:
Learning what mise-en-scene is
Learning how to analyse mise-en-scene
 Objectives:
• By the end of this lesson:
• All of you:
Will be able to describe what mise-en-scene is, and its importance in
media

• Most of you:
Will be able to analyse the mise-en-scene used in films using media
terminology.

• Some of you:
Will be able to analyse and highlight signs used within the mise en
scene in films and apply this knowledge to film clips.
 Starter Questions:
• Write down your answers - leave a space
underneath each answer....

• What is mise en scene?

• What elements make up the mise en scene?
• Why is mise-en-scene important in films?
 Mise-en-scene
• This term (taken from French Theatre) means 'putting things
in the picture' or 'arranging the frame’. It is concerned with
the design and arrangement of the image. It refers to all of
the things which are 'put in the scene' of a film: the setting
and props; people and how they move, look and dress; and
abstract design principles in the frame, such as colour, line,
shape and plane. The concept enables the audience to consider
and describe what is in a frame or series of frames of a film at
a slightly more abstracted level than just 'what's happening'.

• Every element of an image contributes to its meaning, and much

time and thought is devoted to mise en scène by the creators
of an image. Although an audience's attention may be focused
on characters in the foreground, they will also be looking at the
background for additional clues to meaning.
 Elements of mise-en-scene
• Mise-en-scène includes anything which is "put into the frame".
The level of a image's realism relies heavily on mise en scène.

• Elements of mise-en-scene include:

• • Production Design: sets, props and costumes

• • Colour (present in both production design and lighting)
• • Lighting
• • Actors’ performance (including casting and make up) and
movement (blocking)
• • Framing including position; depth of field; aspect ratio; height
and angle (but not movement)
• • Diegetic sound
Differences between mise-
en-scene and montage
• The term mise en scène refers to a stylistic technique, where
long takes and the continuous movement of the camera which
focus on the details of a scene are used to create meaning.

• This is the opposite of montage, where meaning is created

through constant cutting.

• You may also encounter the term mise en shot which refers to
the movement of the camera and the size of the shot, plus
additional technical considerations such as lens type. Mise-en-
scène is the domain of the director and the designer, mise en
shot is controlled by the photographer or cinematographer.
 Looking at mise-en-scene
• Take a look at the shot from Lolita (1962) , and see what you
know about the relationship between Humbert and Lolita
from the position of the characters, the background details,
the nature of the action. Consider the elements of mise-en-
scene...
 Looking at mise-en-scene
The Sixth Sense (1999)

1st viewing:

• What does the sequence mean to you?

• How does it create that meaning?

2nd Viewing:

Take an element of mise-en-scene and list how it adds meaning to the piece of
film.

3rd Viewing:

Watch the extract - any other elements that really stand out?
 How to analyse mise-en-scene
• When analysing mise-en-scene remember to use media
language/terminology:

• Camerawork
(shots, movement, angles, framing)

• Sound
(All the elements that we hear including music and sound effects)

• Mise-en-scene
(Lighting, props, costumes, sets/locations, make up, hair, blocking or
positioning of actors)

• Editing
(Cuts, dissolves, fades, cross cutting)
 Lighting
• Low Key Lighting
• (Not bright lighting so dark shadows are evident - suggests horror,
danger)

• Naturalistic Lighting
• (Lighting you do not notice - used to make events look real, the
sunshine is naturalistic lighting)

• High Key Lighting

• (Bright lighting - brighter lighting than you would normally see in
real life - sometimes shown as artificial lighting in films such as
lamps and wall lights)

• Lighting Effects
• (Flashing lights, strobe lighting etc - often used to suggest danger
especially in science fiction films)
 Costume, Props and Casting
• Costumes
What the actors are wearing - often helpful to distinguish a character

• Props
• What the actors use - these can be handheld or pieces of furniture,
again helpful in distinguishing characters

• Casting
• Do the actors look the part? Do their looks and voice fit in with
their characters image?

• Blocking
• How the actors and objects fit into the frame. It may emphasise
the power of heroes or conflict between two parties
Analyse the mise-en-scene
• Analyse the mise-en-scene of this clip from 28 Days
Later

• You can divide the elements across each group if you

wish - but you all must have every element notes written
down.

• Use the help sheet to help write the analysis.

• Extra analysis:
• Are there any signs that help to add to the meaning?
Tell me what elements of mise-en-
scene you would use if you were to
make a....

WESTERN FILM!
 In Conclusion:
• Let’s return to our original questions, this
time add in the detail you have learnt this
lesson..

• What is mise en scene?

• What elements make up the mise en scene?
• Why is mise-en-scene important in films?