Mise en scene and semiotics

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  • 1. AS MediaTechnical Codes of film-makingBy Madeleine Stidder

2. Mise en SceneMise en scene definition- an arrangement of scenery and propertiesto represent the place where a play or movie is enacted. Mise enscene includes; Stage setting, setting, props, property, stage, stageset.Mise en scene basically means putting in the scene. Directorsmake clear, incisive decisions about lighting, costume, appearance,props, background, character, colour and these all relate to the story.These become visual signifier.Mise en scene creates atmosphere and continuity, and expresses themood of the scene, and how it is meant to make us feel. Mise enscene takes into account versimilitude (very-similar-to). Thismeans that the director makes the shots as true to life as possible. 3. LightingLighting plays a very important part for shaping mean-ings in films. Lighting can also create atmosphere forexample a room lit by candles. Lighting can also cre-ate sterile environment by brightly lighting by neonlights. lighting can also make a scene have a scaryatmosphere through shadows. 4. PropsThe term props refers to any moveable item, which ismeant to be visible on film. There are many differenttypes of props in films, which includes;"Dressing Props" - This type of prop is used to dresssets. For example the furniture, drapes, flooring."Hand Props" - This type of prop are used or held byActors."Hero Props" - This type of prop is central to the actionin a scene. For example a sword."Stunt Props" - This type of prop is replica of propsmade of soft materials."Mechanical Props" - This type of prop may move or il-luminate.Props also include weapons, such as guns and knives,and greenery and foliage including trees and plants. 5. CostumeCostumes are important as in every character will have one in every movie. Costumes also tells the audienceTime eraSocial ClassAge 6. ProstheticsProsthetics are useful for films as the character canlook differently in different genres.Horror - zombie, werewolf or vampiresAction - gun shot wounds, dead bodiesWar - gun shot wounds, dead bodies, explosionwoundsSc-fi - alien faces 7. What is Semiotics?Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and there meaningand this can be applied to the mise en scene of films and T.V.dramas. This can help you to analyse obvious meanings and in-terpret everything in the visual world.It may be the case that the sign can mean lots of differentthings in different cultures around the world and so imply adifferent meaning to different audiences.Semeiotics theory was formed from structuralist theory andkey players in this theory are Saussure (1954) and Barthes(1972). 8. Semiotic TheoryThere are three kinds of signs in semiotic theory:Iconic Signs which actually look like what theyrepresent. eg. Statue of LibertySymbolic / arbitrary signs that have a meaning that must be culturally learnt. eg. Cross = ChristianityIndexical signs which have a connection to what theyrepresent and are suggestive.eg. Dove = peace 9. Importance of SemioticsEverything in a visual context will be there for a reason to a sign or symbol to show a meaning to the audience.For example in Film Noir the femme fatal will often wear a red dress a symbol of lust or in a horror movie the murderer will often be disfigured a symbol of their evilness.