Mise-en-scene

Film Language: Mise-en-scene

Definition:

Mise-en-scene is a French phrase, which means everything in the frame, so from all the different props to actors and what they are wearing, where they are stand even how they are standing. Everything in the frame needs to be considered.

Setting:

Setting can be summed up as simply as time and place. Obviously the place influences a lot so what will be in the background and the foreground it can also affect what props will be around and how the actors will be place. Time is a key factor because it helps with continuity; this also affects props, costumes etc. You must be careful when it comes to time and your props and such don’t set it in ancient Egypt and have someone in the scene wearing a watch (unless they are a time traveller then its probably ok).

Lighting:

There are three basic lighting positions; key position which is the main light to fall on the subject. Next is the Back light which lights subject from the rear as simple as that really. Finally is the fill light this is used to reduce shadow on the subject and increase the brightness. You can also use coloured light if you want to convey a certain mood with lighting or a number of other reasons.

Costume & make-up, hair:

Costume is essential for making the scene realistic, and the more realistic the better for it helps in he suspension of disbelief. So costume will need to match the time and place so jeans and a hoodie doesn’t make sense if it’s set with Genghis Khan and his horde of Mongolians (unless once again it’s a time traveller then its ok but which silly time traveller doesn’t dress to match the time he/she is going to). Make-up and hair are all part of costume but they also they help convey the feeling of the character and the state they are in.

Positioning and Space:

This is fairly simple to understand it’s the position of the actors in the shot and/or the position of props in the shot. This position can help convey a feeling of power or a sense of isolation. Space can mean the space in the foreground or background; you can use a background of deep space to either show where they are with a usually amazing cinematic shot. Then there is a having a much more close background shot to show maybe that there is a danger behind the characters or something of interest in the background.

Acting, expression & body language:

All of these things help convey the tone of the scene, helps in a power display or emotional display. All the best preparation, settings, lighting, costume and special effects in the world will not mean a thing if the acting is shoddy. The actors are the biggest part of the movies ability to suspend the disbelief so if you mess that up say goodbye to your movie.

Special Effects:

Special effects enhance the experience of the film these are needed to film stuff like fantasy environments, monsters or just scenes that would be impossible to film without effects. Practical effects are just as important for example Alien the 1979 movie used all practical effects and that movie still looked amazing the alien, the ship etc. Special effects are just as good especially where practical effects fall short.