MISE EN SCENE 24/3

Mise en scene 

Mise en scene - Positioning

·      How visual aspects within a frame create meaning for audiences

·      How the positioning of characters and objects can give us clues to relationships and narrative development

·      How lighting and colour can create atmosphere and meaning

In relation to the study of moving images, mise-en-scène translates as 'everything in the frame'.  

It is a French term which refers to:

§  Lighting and colour

§  Setting

§  Props, costume, hair and make-up

§  Character positioning within the frame

§  Body language, expression and movement

The given image is a still from The Core, a disaster film from 2003.  Look at the way the characters are positioned within the frame so all the important characters are visible and how different levels are created to add visual interest to an inactive scene.

Jot down answers to the following questions and then compare notes with a partner.

·      Which characters do you think are the most important in this scene?

·      What gives you this impression?

·      What do the props in the foreground and background tell you about what is happening?

·      What typical elements of the disaster movie genre are evident in this frame?

It is evident in this still that the group of men are having something explained to them. The man in the right hand side of the frame is holding a strange object and gesturing, as well as looking intently towards the group. All of the characters except one are looking towards the man with the object which also suggests he is explaining something to them. There is a man standing centre frame, away from the rest of the group, which suggests he may have a more central/important role in the narrative.

The props include a blackboard and two desks with lots of paper on them. These are typical props of a classroom of some sort, which also suggests that the character explaining something is from an academic background, or some kind of expert.

Often in disaster films there are scientific elements that need explaining, both to the characters and to the audiences, so this kind of scene is common.