Aim: To introduce Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-Scene• Pronounced “meez ahn sen”, it is a French

term and originates in theatre• Of all the technical aspects mise-en-scene is

the one that we are likely to be most familiar with. When a film finishes we may not remember the camera shots or editing but we can usually recall some elements of the mise- en-scene

• So, what is it?• Mise-en-scene refers to everything that

appears in the film frame

Elements of mise-en-scene

• What makes up mise-en-scene? • Location / Setting• Props • Costume and Make Up• Lighting• Use of colour• Character position

• All elements are controlled by the director – remember that accidents in film are rare!

• Mise-en-scene is crucial in creating the world of the film and meaning for the viewer

Connotation and Denotation• Denotation?• What you actually see eg. A Rose is a red flower• Connotation?• What something might stand for or represent, eg. To

give someone a red rose might suggest love• What are all of the connotations of the colour red?• The mise-en-scene in a film can connote complex ideas

to the viewer very quickly• Look at the film posters on pages 34 - 35, these feature

scenes from the film they are advertising. What connotations do you get from the mise-en-scene? Consider Setting, Props, Costume, Colour and Character Position

Connotation and Denotation

Audience Meaning• Watch this clip from “Oceans 11” and aim

to identify how the mise-en-scene creates meaning for the audience