Film Making 101: Mise en Scene

Mise-en-scène

- The arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage

Different elements of Mise-en-scène:

· Setting

· Props

· Costume

· Lighting

· Colour

· Blocking

· Framing

· Hair and makeup

· Sound design

· Frame rate

· Background acting

· Location

Mise-en-scène allows directors to tell the audience details about a story in film or on stage all in one shot. This means that they can delve deeper into the characters story without too much editing and let the audience make perceptions about the characters in their own time. Setting and props can be used by actors to give the audience more information, this could create different feelings for each person watching. Costume, hair, and makeup tells the audience about the character without dialogue. Blocking and framing set up a scene, putting characters in certain places will show power and framing makes sure everything is in shot that is needed to be. This also includes background acting as well. 

If mise-en-scène is not followed correctly a lot of a films nuance could be lost, this includes; style, personality, set, costume, and make-up designs.

SOME EXAMPLES OF MISE-EN-SCENE IN FILM:

The Royal Tenenbaums - Wes Anderson

In this scene of The Royal Tenebaums as soon as we see this frame we can understand what this character is like; a very successful tennis player. We can clearly see this by the shear amount of trophies on the shelves. The frame is also very symmetrical - the whole room is designed to show what kind of character lives in it.

The Matrix - Lana Wachowski

In this scene of The Matrix both characters look very confident and powerful. Their costumes increase the intensity of the scene as they are very dark and strong. It all works well with colouring and lighting of the scene as it clearly highlights the two subjects making them look even more in charge of the situation.