Mise -en-scene

1. Mise-en-scene

2. Defining our term • According to Butler, mise-en-scene is: • The staging of the action for the camera. All of the physical objects in front of the camera and the arrangement of those objects by the director. The organization of setting, costuming, lighting, and actor movement.

3. What mise-en-scene does • The visual composition in film, TV, videogames often is as much a part of the storytelling as the dialogue—and may be more • (Wall-E) • Visual details provide the audience with an understanding of the characters, setting, pretty much all the action, and may well reveal crucial parts of the plot • Relationships among characters, etc. are often revealed visually

4. Guided by director’s vision • Storyboards • Interaction with art director

5. Sets • Buildings, scenery, décor, props, people • Reveal important details about the plot, characters, possibilities for action • Establishing shot provides context for audience • Important details of décor may have significant meaning

6. Composition • Determination of the elements within a scene, within a shot • Position of elements within the setting • Spatial relations among characters, props • How far away is the gun and who’s closest to it? • Balanced v. unbalanced composition • Unbalanced tends to be edgier, give a feeling of unease

7. Blocking • Placement and movement of characters within the setting • Camera placement and movement must accommodate movement and placement of characters

8. Blocking • Shallow space • Characters are all at a distance from the camera that is pretty much the same • TV sets are built wide and shallow • Actors move side to side • Deep space blocking • Characters are both near the camera and far away • Importance of depth in the relations among the characters

9. Impact • Emphasis on various elements within a scene • Relative emphasis on characters • Relationships among elements, characters • Close positioning implies close relationship • Isolation v. being part of a larger group • Single character onscreen, even in a crowd, implies isolation or individuality

10. Sets and costumes • Provide a reference for the audience • Historical, geographic, social class, home v. work, occupational • Identify certain sorts of events/actions that are appropriate (plot points) • Enhance characterization • Give guidance to personality, background • Provide an understanding of the character’s world, relationships, etc.

11. Provide continuity • Easier to follow characters • Make plot points flow from scene to scene • Affect mood • Affect theme • Provide a reference for the actors—help them get into character • Provide structure for blocking, camerawork, etc.