Scribd
Upload
310 views27 pages

Mise en Scene: Introduction To Film Language 1

The document introduces the concept of mise-en-scene, which refers to everything visible within the frame of a film including settings, costumes, lighting, etc. It explains that mise-en-scene uses five main elements - settings and props, costumes, facial expressions, positioning of characters, and lighting/color - to communicate meaning and elicit emotions from the audience. Various examples are provided to illustrate how different techniques of mise-en-scene are used to convey different meanings.

Uploaded by

Lisa Barge
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
310 views27 pages

Mise en Scene: Introduction To Film Language 1

The document introduces the concept of mise-en-scene, which refers to everything visible within the frame of a film including settings, costumes, lighting, etc. It explains that mise-en-scene uses five main elements - settings and props, costumes, facial expressions, positioning of characters, and lighting/color - to communicate meaning and elicit emotions from the audience. Various examples are provided to illustrate how different techniques of mise-en-scene are used to convey different meanings.

Uploaded by

Lisa Barge
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 27

AS Film Studies

Unit FM1

Introduction to Film Language 1:

Mise En Scene

Session Aims
By the end of the session you will be able to:
Understand the concept of mise en
scene
Apply the concept to a film extract

Definition: Mise En Scene


A French term meaning what is put into a scene
or frame
Visual information in front of the camera
Communicates essential information to the
audience
Made up of 5 elements: Can you guess what
they are?

The 5 Elements of Mise en Scene


Settings & Props
Costume, Hair & Make Up

Each aspect of mise-enscene has hidden


meanings within a film
and sends signals to the
audience about how we
are supposed to feel at a
certain point

Facial Expressions & Body Language


Lighting & Colour
Positioning of characters/objects within the
frame

1. Settings & Props

Settings & Locations play an important part in filmmaking and are not just backgrounds

Sets are either built from scratch or a great deal of time


is spent to find a setting which already exists

Settings can manipulate an audience by building


certain expectations and then taking a different turn
(CLIP: Kill Bill)

1.
2.
3.

TASK: What settings and props you would find in:


A Science Fiction Film
A Romantic Comedy
A Horror Film

2. Costume, Hair & Make Up

Costume, Hair & Make Up act as an instant


indicator to us of a characters personality,
status & job

It tells us immediately whether the film is set in


the present and what society/or culture it will
centre around

Certain costumes can signify certain individuals


(i.e. black cloak of a vampire, Spideys
Spiderman suit)

3. Facial Expressions & Body


Language

Facial Expressions provide a clear indicator of how


someone is feeling

If someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are


happy but we may get a different feeling if this is
accompanied by scary music

Body Language may also indicate how a character


feels towards another character or may reflect the state
of their relationship

TASK: What meanings/emotions do the following


images convey:

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

IMAGE 3

4. Positioning of Characters &


Objects within a frame
Positioning within a frame can draw our
attention to an important character/object
A film-maker can use positioning to indicate
relationships between people
TASK: What does the positioning in the
following images reveal about the
characters/film:

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

IMAGE 3

IMAGE 4

Colour
Colour carries certain
connotations which may
add meaning to a scene
(i.e. Red =
Danger/Passion)
Can give a scene a
particular look, feel or
mood
Can be used for dramatic
effect

Analysing Mise en Scene

5. Lighting & Colour


Lighting & Colour can be used to achieve a variety of effects:

To highlight important characters or


objects within the frame
To make characters look mysterious by
shading sections of the face & body
To reflect a characters mental state/hidden
emotions (i.e. bright = happy, dark =
disturbed, strobe effect = confused

Types of Lighting
LOW KEY LIGHTING:
Created by using only the key
& back lights
Produces sharp contrasts of
light and dark areas
Deep, distinct
shadows/silhouettes are
formed
Example: Horror Films

Types of Lighting
HIGH KEY LIGHTING:
More filler lights are used.
Lighting is natural and
realistic to our eyes
Produces brightly lit sets or
a sunny day (right)
Example: Rom-Coms

What types of lighting are used


in the following images:
B

TASK: For each image, answer


the following questions:
1. What type of lighting is used in each image
(High or Low Key)?
2. Where are the KEY LIGHTS, FILLER LIGHTS
& BACK LIGHTS in each image?
3. What effects/meanings does the lighting
suggest?

BACK
LIGHT
FILLER
LIGHTS

KEY LIGHT

You might also like