Mise-en-scene introduction and study guide

mise-en-scene
Student name ______________________________
Mise-en-scene is a French phrase that means ‘placing on
stage’. It is used to describe the design aspects of film
through cinematography and stage design, and also through
direction. We need to be able to analyse what we can see by
describing what we can see in accurate and detailed
language. We also need to explain what it means or what it
is trying to communicate to the audience.

Mise-en-scene is a French phrase that means ‘placing on stage’. It is used to
describe the design aspects of film through cinematography and stage design,
and also through direction. To analyse and discuss mise-en-scene we need to
identify and analyse 5 main areas; settings and props, position of people and
objects, costume, hair and make-up, facial expression and body language and
lighting and colour.
Each aspect of mise-en-scene has two meanings to it; the explicit details and the
implicit suggestions.
For example: what is the prop he is holding?
Explicitly, we can see that the prop is a gun.
What is the meaning behind it though? What does the use of it in the film tell the
audience?
Well, implicitly, we know that this person is either going to want to kill someone or
protect himself from someone or something. The prop of a gun therefore implicitly
that there will be violence.

EXPLICIT (describe what you can see) IMPLICIT (where this is set and how you worked that out)
DEFINITION:
The setting of a whole film or a key scene is vital. These, often without anything being said
verbally, tell us where the film or scene is set and who lives there. It also helps to establish
when the film is set and what country, time of day or even what planet the film is set on. This
is why you will often see a new scene begin with an extreme long shot that shows the
audience where the story is going to take place. These, called establishing shots, are a
simple and brief way of telling an audience where the film or scene is set.
TASK:
Look closely at the establishing shots below. For each, aim to explain the explicit details
first: describe what can we see. Then, consider the implicit meaning-where/when is this film
set, and in one sentence explain where/when you think this film is set, explaining why you
came to that ideas in as much detail as possible.
setting:

Setting is just as useful when we see an interior (indoor) shot. It helps an audience
to not only learn about where and when a ﬁlm or scene is set but also help the
audience to learn about a character or a situation.
TASK:
When analysing setting, you need to first of all describe what you can see and then
work out what that setting suggests about the film and the characters in that scene.
EXPLICIT: How would you describe this location?
IMPLICIT: Who do you think lives there? What kind of person?
IMPLICIT: Who do you think lives there? What kind of person? What is happening? Why?

IMPLICIT: What is the situation here? How can you tell?
IMPLICIT: What is happening here? How can you tell? What situation may be happening?

DEFINITION:
Props, or to give them their full name, theatrical property, are the objects in a scene
that help to make a scene appear realistic. They can help to make somewhere look
old or new, busy or quiet or just show us what is happening. Props can be almost
any item that is included in a scene, such as food, furniture or photos but they can
also be items that people use or things that people own.
As with most aspects of film language, props can work on two levels-the explicit
description of what we can see, but also the implicit suggestion of what the props
suggest. For this reason, a setting may have been carefully created so that it
includes a specific set of props to suggest what the person in the person or people
in the scene is like, such as in these screenshots below.
TASK:
Look closely at the shot below. Paying close attention to the props, firstly explicitly
describe what props you can see and then implicitly analyse what the props
suggest about the character or scene. 
The huge number of props in this screenshot from
NINE makes it clear that this is a film studio.
The props here help to show that the scene tales place
in a local corner shop in SHAUN OF THE DEAD.
In this shot from FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, props
not only show that this is an ornate and luxurious
setting, but also that the character is intelligent and
calm: playing competitive chess in front of a crowd but
happy to relax and smoke a cigarette as he does so.
This screen capture from TAXI DRIVER shows how props
can tell is that the scene takes place in a messy, shop, but
also that this character is violent and carries a gun.
props:

Describe what props you can see in
screenshot number 1 on the left.
Describe what props you can see in
screenshot number 2 on the right.
What does screenshot number 1 tell us about Tony Stark, based on just the props you can see?
Look at his desk and the things we see on there. What does it tell us about him as a person? Be
sure to explain why you think that, using your answers form the top right hand box as evidence.
Screen shot 2 gives us a better view of the workshop. From this we can learn what kinds of
things Tony Stark likes because of the props used. What hobbies does he have and can you
describe what he is like as a person based on what props are being used in the scene? Be sure
to explain why you think that, using your answers form the top left-hand box as evidence.

DEFINITION:
The position of objects and people is important as it helps to tell us about people, props
and the world in which the film takes place. Put at it’s most basic, someone, or something,
close to the front of the screen suggests importance or power. The further away they are
and the less central they are, the less important they are. Of course, every person and prop
on screen is important in some way-that’s why they’ve been included in the scene, so the
key is to first explicitly describe where someone/something is and then to analyse what
the implicit suggestion is of them being in that place is.
TASK:
Look closely at the cube below. Imagine that the front is the screen and that the ‘cube’ area
behind it is the world of the film (if it helps, imagine a stage like in a theatre. Then, use the
words below to accurately label the blank cube.
This will allow you to explain positions in film studies accurately.
Front | Middle | Back | Left | Right | Top | Bottom
SCREEN
position of objects & people
TASK
1.Below is a screenshot. There are two people in the screenshot. Firstly, describe, using the
words above, where they are.
2. Next, try to analyse why they are where they are. Consider what the reasons might be and
why we need to have two people in two very different positions in the frame.

1
2
TASK:
Now that you know where and how to label where someone or something is in a scene, complete
the table below. The first column focuses on the explicit description of the scenes, using the
screenshots on the previous page. The other columns help you to analyses why the people and
objects are where they are for a reason. Finally, the last column helps you to combine these ideas
into one detailed explanation of each shot.

costume, make-up & hair:
DEFINITION:
These three things tend to be analysed together when looking at mise-en-scene. To
clarify- costumes are clothes, hair is obvious and make up are the products used to
help make a character look a certain way. It does not just mean things like lipstick or
eye shadow, it can be used to create scars or cuts, to make a character look pale, to
create a creepy looking character or to help someone appear to be warm and kind.
Johnny Depp for example is an actor who uses costume, hair and make up to really
help create a detailed, authentic and interesting character.
What does the use of hair, costume and make up tell the audience about
this character?
TASK:
Begin by describing what you can see and then analyse what these things tell us
about the character. Consider colour, materials and special effects in the make
up. Then, analyse what you think this implicitly suggests about the character.
Explicit:
Implicit:

EXPLICIT: IMPLICIT:
TASK:
Costume doesn’t always have to be a dramatic thing. For each screen shot below,
again describe what you can see (the explicit) and then describe what the costume
tells us about that character/s:
EXPLICIT: IMPLICIT:
Costume can also signify change in a character. For this screenshot, explain what the
change in costume tells us about how the character has changed. Around the image,
describe what the character is like based on their costume and then describe how the
costume has changed and what that tells us about the person and how they have changed.
EXPLICIT: IMPLICIT:

5
1
TASK:
Pay careful attention to each character below. Study how each of them looks
and first of all, use the space around the characters on these page to annotate
what you notice. Then, using the table on the next page, describe how each
looks referring to colour, shape, size and style of costume.
Finally, explain what you think that character will be like based on your ideas
and descriptions.
1
2
3
56
7
4

Mise-en-scene introduction and study guide

facial expression & body language
DEFINITION:
Facial expressions and body language are key components of mise-en-scene that are
often overlooked. A good actor can quickly and effortlessly informs the audience about
their thoughts and feelings with a simple lift of an eyebrow, a turn on their heels or a
shrug of their shoulders. This can also establish a mood or atmosphere for a scene
and then from this, our reaction to the film. This can seem quite complicated but it
doesn’t need to be. When considering and analysing facial expression and body
language, consider two main things: 1; are the actors using their face to try and
communicate something and 2; are they using their body to try and communicate
something? The idea then, is that we are trying to learn about a person feels just by the
use of their body and face, rather than by the words that may or may not be using.
When combined with camera angles and shot sizes, these key aspects of mise-en-
scene can tell us a lot about what is happening.
The best thing to do for both facial expression and body language is to just to describe
what you can see. However, to do this we need to use some specific language.
TASK:
Using dictionaries, look up the words below and write down the definition of each.
Then, aim to use in a sentence to help describe how someone could look in a film.
dominant
Definition:
In a sentence:
proximity
Definition:
In a sentence:
subservient
Definition:
In a sentence:
exaggerated
Definition:
In a sentence:
gesture
Definition:
In a sentence:
mannerism
Definition:
In a sentence:
expression
Definition:
In a sentence:
portray
Definition:
In a sentence:
posture
Definition:
In a sentence:

TASK:
Using the words from the previous page and by using as many adjectives and verbs as
you can, first of all describe each of the images in terms of just their facial expression
and body language. Be as specific as possible to explain how the character looks.

TASK:
Using the words from the previous pages and by using as many adjectives and verbs as
you can, first of all describe each of the images in terms of just their facial expression and
body language. Then, identify what camera angle or shot size it is. Finally, take a guess
and try to explain what you think is happening in each of these screenshots by considering
facial expression, body language, costume, make-up and the props.
(This should be at least 4 sentences per image to really explain what is going on and how
you worked that out.)

Notice how this
screen shot doesn’t
have lots of very dark
areas created by
shadows. This is
because of the use of
fill light.
The faces here are
clear to see and nice
and bright. This is
how a key light
works.
The back light has
also created a nice
‘glow’ around their
hair and bodies-due
to the back light.
The key light, as the name suggests, is the most important and shines directly on the
subject. It’s the light that creates the main mood or feeling. The fill light also shines on the
subject, but from a side angle. It balances the key light and removes harsh shadows. The
back light shines on the subject from behind. It gives the subject a rim of light around
them, serving to separate the subject from the background and highlighting contours.
lighting & colour
DEFINITION:
Lighting helps to create the mood and atmosphere of a scene. Having read the script and
worked with the rest of the crew, the director will decide what they want the audience to feel
when watching a scene or the whole film. One way of creating a specific mood or atmosphere
by changing the lighting and the colours used.
For example, a director might put people or objects in darkness to surprise the audience. They
might decide to use lighting to ‘shine’ on specific objects that are significant or use colour
can to emphasise someone or something.Finally, lighting can traditionally used to create
emotion, atmosphere or to ‘date’ a scene.
Traditionally, films which were shot indoors in studios, used “three-point” lighting. This style
of lighting allows the images to be carefully manipulated in 3 different ways.

If you do spot a screenshot or clip which features3 or 4 point lighting, try to say so and
aim to point out where and why the lights are/what they’re doing.
TASK:
Tryonthescreenshotbelowbydrawingarrowswhereyouthinkeachofthe4mainlightscouldbeshining.
Off-camera, a
background light has
really helped to light
up the scene in the
background so that
we can see where the
scene is taking place.
“Four-point” lighting is created by adding another camera called a background light.
The background light is placed behind the subject. Unlike the other three lights,
which illuminate foreground elements like actors and props, it illuminates
background elements, such as walls or outdoor scenery. This technique can be used
to make sure a background is really clear such as, to draw more attention to the
background. It also helps to make a scene look more natural allowing the audience
to see clearly into the distance.

Trying to describe lighting then can be difficult. If it’s not easy to pick out individual
lights, instead focus on describing the explicit lighting style and then the implicit
meaning behind why that style of lighting was used.
Use the guide below to then analyse each of the screenshots.
LIGHTING FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES
Under lighting
This is when the key light is placed below the character or object on screen.
Top lighting
Is when the key light is placed above the character or object. This will help highlight
the features of that person or object.
Back lighting
Is where the key light is placed behind the subject.
However, not all films can be shot in a studio or lit by 3 or 4 main lights. Sometimes
films have to be creative and even at night time scenes need to be lit in a certain way.
TASK:
For these 3 examples, what are the lighting directions?
EXPLICIT: Label where the key lighting is coming from.
IMPLICIT: Why you think the key light is pointed there? What affect does it achieve? How
does it make the audience feel?

TIME OF DAY
Linked to the idea of brightness, the time of day in a scene can also help to create
mood or feeling in a film. A bright, sunny film shot in the day generally makes a scene
feel happy and cheery.
A scene which takes place at night is likely to be very dark and creates uncertainty.
This means that scenes that are at night time are generally miserable, sad and
uncomfortable.
Scenes which take place during sunrise and sunset look warm and inviting. This
makes them look like an enjoyable place to be and generally suggest love and
optimism.
BRIGHTNESS
One of the easiest things to identify in lighting is the brightness of the scene or film overall.
This is straight forward to identify and also analyse. If a scene is well-lit we would describe it
as bright.If a scene is dark and under-lit we would say that it looks dull. These are the explicit
references to the overall look of the scene. The implicit analysis then is that bright scenes
generally represent happiness and darker scenes suggest unhappiness. This idea also
applies to time of day.
BRIGHT
DULL

SHADOWS AND SILHOUETTES
Shadows, areas covered by darkness that aren’t easy to see, are used in films in
many ways. Whilst a traditional 3 or 4 point lighting set up shadows are mostly
removed, but sometimes using shadows can instead be a powerful way to create
mood, atmosphere or suggest something about a character or location.
For example, as shadows generally obscure things, shadows create drama and if
someone has a lot of shadows on them, it can make a person look suspicious. This is
because shadows hide details and information, whether part of someone’s face, a
key part of a scene or an interesting prop - hiding something or someone can create
surprise.
Of course, the opposite is true for scenes and characters that don’t have many
shadows on them; these scenes have nothing to hide and show the audience that
everything is ok. These scenes are comfortable and want us to feel welcome in them.
As well as this, these characters have nothing to hide.
A person or object who is completely dark is said to be in silhouette. These are often
created to hide people or objects to create surprise or tension.

LOW KEY LIGHTING
Low-key (or hard) lighting
This is where the lighting is more towards the greyer and darker scale, where there is a
good deal of shadow, and where the key light is less bright and does not dominate.
TASK:
1. How would you describe the mood or atmosphere here?
2. How do you think the audience is supposed to feel looking at this screenshot?
3. Looking at the colours here, what do they remind you of or make you think of?
EXPLICIT:
Describe the lighting here. Try to use key words learned over the last few pages.
IMPLICIT:
Describe why you think the lighting looks like this. What is it trying to make us think
of.
Now try to analyse the screenshot below using the space either side. Focus on
describing the explicit lighting and the implicit reasons for it.

HIGH KEY LIGHTING
High key (or soft) lighting
This is where the scene is lit evenly and brightly. It allows the audience to see
everything clearly and without there being any dark spots or parts in the frame.
TASK:
1. How would you describe the mood or atmosphere here?
2. How do you think the audience is supposed to feel looking at this screenshot?
3. Looking at the colours here, what do they remind you of or make you think of?
EXPLICIT:
Describe the lighting here. Try to use key words learned over the last few pages.
IMPLICIT:
Describe why you think the lighting looks like this. What is it trying to make us think of
or make us feel?
Now try to analyse the screenshot below using the space either side. Focus on
describing the explicit lighting and the implicit reasons for it.

LIGHTING ANALYSIS
TASK:
For each of the screenshots below, answer the same 4 questions and aim to do so in
one complete paragraph.
1. How would you describe the lighting?
2. What is the mood of each scene? How does the lighting create mood?
3. What does the lighting tell you about the characters?
4. How is the lighting trying to make the audience react or feel?

COLOUR
Under normal circumstances, our eyes adjust rapidly and we usually don't notice differences
– unless we look for them – but cinematographers will often adjust for colour. They’re
generally looking to do two things; either make a scene look hot or cold or to tell us how
people feel.
Consider the colour chart above. Notice how the colours on the left are ‘warmer’ and the
colours on the left are ‘cooler’. If the colour of a scene seems important, do the usual two
things: explain the EXPLICIT and refer to the main colour/s. Then, analyse the IMPLICIT and
explain why those colours are used-what are they trying to tell us or make us feel?
The screenshot on the left is much ‘warmer’ than the ‘cool’ shot on the right. Why? What is
the possible reason? What does the scene want us to feel or understand? You might want to
consider other aspects of film language, but aim to analyse colour more than anything else,
thinking about what the film wants the audience to feel or learn about the characters or the
location.
TASK:
Using the spaces below each image, analyse the EXPLICIT colour/temperature and then
analyse the IMPLICIT reason why it’s been used.

mise-en-scene analysis
Having now analysed each aspect of mise-en-scene individually, now take a look at
the images below and aim to analyse how they use ALL aspects of mise-en-scene to
create meaning for an audience.
TASK:
For each image, do the same two things-identify the EXPLICIT, the main, most
important aspects of mise-en-scene.
Then, analyse the IMPLICIT; try to explain what these features of mise-en-scene are
trying to tell us about the characters, the location, the mood or even the story. Try to
explain where/when the film is set or what the genre of the film could be, based just
on the mise-en-scene.
The size of the boxes gives you an indication of how much you need to write.

Mise-en-scene introduction and study guide

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