RESEARCH: MISE-EN-SCENE

What is mine-en-scene?

Mise-En-Scene is a french term that is used to describe the visual aspects and elements within the scene and how they help impact the audience and the film itself. It includes the costume, lighting, makeup, set dressing, setting, the colours, positioning of characters etc.

Costume, hair and makeup?

Costumes, hair and makeup helps tell the audience which period of time the film is set in. They also indicate the personality, status or even jobs of the characters. For example Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead had on a sheriff's hat– this shows us that he is a police officer without him even mentioning it once. Although it could interpret different meanings as well, i.e; him stripping the uniform off of a police officer he recently knocked out and replacing it with his normal clothes so he wouldn't be suspected. Costumes can help in characterisation, show mood changes or even help with the plot progression. CGI (computer generated imaging) is primarily used in fantasy and science fiction films to create dynamic and full-body suits and costumes. For example– Gollum from The Hobbit is a computer generated character.



Makeup was first used to add contrast to actors' faces so that they would give a dramatic effect when shown on screen. Today, its used to hide flaws, look natural and even accentuate features and expressions. Prosthesis is used to completely change and model a person's face. A good example of this would be Pepper from American Horror Story. 




Settings and props?

Settings and props play an extremely important role in the art of film-making. It gives character to a certain room or environment. It creates an impression on the character owning the props as well as the setting that contains the props. Settings also help shape the understanding of a story. Shooting on location gives a more authentic look to the film. Sets can also be created so that every aspect of it can be manipulated. Props function within ongoing actions or help propel the story– usually as a gag or a motif.

Proxemics?

Positioning of characters within a film is important because it helps the audience understand the relationships between certain characters or themselves in general. Positioning within the frame shows how a character is feeling and the situation that they are in.



Colour?

Colors carry certain connotations which adds meaning to a particular scene or the entire film for that matter. Some of these connotations may be subtle and some are very obvious. It can give a particular mood or ambience to the shot. It can also be used for a dramatic effect. Helps in supporting the narrative, tone development and defining areas. Also used for aesthetics, contrast, brightness and darkness within a scene.

Lighting?

In artistic filmmaking, lighting is more than just illuminating something. Lighter and darker areas of the film help create the overall compositions of each shot and guide our attention to certain objects and actions. Highlights are a patch of brightness on a surface and are used to provide important cues to textures. Shadows work opposite to a highlight and are used to obscure objects and people onscreen. This is commonly used in noir and horror films. Backlighting comes from behind the subjected can be positioned at any angle. Frontal lighting is known for eliminating any shadows. Under lighting is light that comes from beneath the subject. Top lighting is where the spotlight shines down from a higher source. A good example of lighting would be the 1931 movie 'Frankenstein'.