Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-scene is a French term meaning what id put into the frame during a scene. What is put into or left out of the frame can make a big difference to the signals the audience receives about what sort of film it is and how we are supposed to feel at that point. Therefore the Mise-en-Scene are an indicator of the genre of the film and we can have certain expectations of what is about to happen as the film progresses. 

The elements of Mise-en-Scene are;

• Settings and Props
• Costume, Hair and Makeup
• Facial Expressions and Body Language
• Lighting and Colour
• Positioning of Characters and Objects within the frame

• Settings and Props

 The settings and props used in a film are just the background to the characters actions and dialogue. Settings and props can manipulate the audience's expectations and often directors will take a different turn. In this scene it is a happy and vibrant atmosphere which will manipulate the audience to feel that particular emotion before something in the plot happens.

• Costume, Hair and Makeup

All these parts are very important as it can give us an indicator as to the characters personality and social status. It also tells us what time period and culture the film is set in. 

In this picture the clothing is dark and the makeup and hair is disturbing so the audience sees him as an evil character. 

• Facial Expressions and Body Language

Facial Expressions and Body Language gives the audience a clear indication of how a character is feeling during the scene. 

• Lighting and Colour

Lighting and Colour can give a particular scene a relistic look or bring out dramatic nature of it. We associate different lighting styles with different genres as well. 

• Positioning of characters and Objects within a frame

This is important as it tells and manipulates the audience into what to concentrate on, what to draw our attention on and what to feel and what the characters are feeling in the scene.