Mise en sceneEverything in the scene.

L.O-To Identify aspects of Mise en scene and consider how they create meaning.

Remember to consider:

What is being filmed (Mise-en-scene) How is it filmed (Cinematography) How is the material put together

(editing)

We will be looking at all of these features in preparation for your own analysis

Things we will be looking at.

Mise en scene Costume

Cinematography Lighting

Cinematography Colour

Mise en scene Setting Mise en scene Costume and make up

Performance Figure, expression and movement

Costume and props

When we consider costume we must also consider props and how these both work to create meaning and symbolism for the spectator.

Costume and props refer to items of clothing being worn by the characters or objects seen within a given setting

In simple terms the costume can act as a uniform which places the character within a particular group and role within that group

The props allow an authentic sense of place or as symbols.

Costume

Does the costume suggest a certain historical period?

How does the costume indicate genre? What does the costume suggest about the

characters’ social, cultural, national background? Do the characters significantly change their

costumes over the course of the film? If so what does this indicate about their changing feelings/fortunes/status?

What do the costumes suggest about the way a character feels about themselves? The impression they want to make on others?

Costume

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/95413

In terms of costume and props, how does this scene indicate to the spectators, the character of somerset?

Methodically laying out his clothes Picking up a series of carefully laid out

items A sense of carefulness in the way he

gets himself ready Meticulous

What do the costumes highlight about each character?

The way in which they approach the crime and solving is reflected in their different

costumes.

John Doe

Costume

What is the importance of the similarity of dress between Somerset and John Doe?

What does this mean for the audience? Does it link in with anything that the

director is trying to do?

Props

Books act as a key prop throughout the film For Somerset they provide KNOWLEDGE

which reveals the killers motivations For John Doe books record his thoughts and

reasons for his sins, they provide KNOWLEDGE a key idea that links him with Somerset

For Mills- He has the cliff notes which are seen several times throughout the film, this is reflective of his character in what way?

Costume was incredibly important to distinguish the different character types in fight club.

Props- Tyler- Cigarettes, Jack –IkeaThere is also the fact that Jack does not have a second name.There is also symbolism in the fact that they have the same briefcase.

Watch the first two minutes of Pirates of the Caribbean and make notes on

How are the props and costumes used in this sequence to convey information to the audience?

Why else are costumes and props important in this style of film?

Costume reflects to the audience gang loyalties

In titanic costume is used as a symbolism for status in the film

We are first introduced to Rose through her costume

When Rose removes her clothes for Jack to paint her, there is a suggestion to the audience that she has cast off the idea of class which has previously been symbolised by her clothes.

Jack only becomes acceptable to the higher class when he is dressed for dinner. His clothes make him appear wealthy, meaning he gains some respect

After the ship has sunk, her character is also presented in a different style of dress to reflect that she has reject that way of life

Casino

The character Sam in Casino is reflected through the clothes that he wears

There is a flamboyance to his character as well as a confidence in him

Gingers clothes are used to symbolise her love of money and her wish for a better life

Money is hers above all else

Vito Corleone

As he relinquishes his power his clothes get more casual and relaxed to indicate he is letting go of his power

Micheal Corleone

His rise to power is reflected in the film through his more and more expensive suits

His costumes show his success.

Costume can be a trademark

The costume can reveal things about the characters personality when they are wearing a certain costume

Costume or lack of it can also indicate to the audience, how they are meant to view a character.

Costume in this sequence can be used to symbolise the idea of escapism that they have, to a life where all that matters is the love that they have for each other

Blade runner

What does costume reveal about the genre?

character? Events that may

occur?

Setting Mise en scene

L.O- To understand the importance of setting within Mise en scene

Name the genre

Setting…..Consider

Where/when does the action take place?

What details of the setting indicate this?

How does the setting indicate genre? Does the setting indicate mood? If so,

how? What does the setting suggest about

the characters? Their status? Culture? Occupation?

Setting Setting may often be established with

an establishing shot. The shots you just saw were

establishing shots and are often a wide angle shot which allows audiences to see the setting in its entirety

Sense of historical reality

Both setting and costume work together to create a believable world for the spectator

Especially if the setting no longer exists. Setting may often be recreated with CGI

Sense of realism

Use of every day settings can create a sense of reality for the spectator. It can give them a sense of a real world that they can understand. Depending on genre it can also create different feelings.

A horror film may cause more suspense if the audience can recognise reality with the disruption that will occur

Sense of the fantastic or other worldly

Setting can be used to reveal the genre. The other worldly setting can immediately signify to the audience that they are no longer within the realms of their own society.

The setting can therefore prepare the audience for certain experiences and events

Settings such as space can immediately identify the genre to the audience

Both fantasy worlds and historical settings must be correct and believable as they rely on the audience accepting them as ‘real’ allowing the spectator to buy into the imaginary film world.

Famous settings

A familiar setting can be used to symbolise things about both the film and the characters.

The areas which the girls live in the city reveal a lot about their characters. Their characters are often shown within settings that reflect their types.

Each setting reveals something about the characters personality type and style

Setting can also reveal changes in a character. When Carrie breaks up with Mr Big. She completely transforms her apartment. This setting reflects her trying to change and forget the past.

A great example of costume to indicate character. The fact that she wears a wig, indicates this job is not what she truly wants to do and that she is not being true to herself

Setting in this film is used to show the difference between the rich and the poor. Luxury v struggle

Disruption to well known settings

Both setting and costume are important here for creating meaning and answering questions the audience may have

A familiar setting which has unfamiliar events can create enigmas for the audience when we open in 28 days later to familiar scenes of London we can immediately see that something is wrong.

Common settings with destruction can create enigmas for the audience

Well known settings that have been destroyed can also lead the audience to make assumptions about the genre and events that will occur within the film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtsBDqX-3KA&feature=related

Setting may also be used to represent characters inner thoughts, feelings and emotions or highlight the mood within the scene.

The setting here is used to represent the foulness of hell

This is very different to the setting of Heaven in the film and represents the two characters feelings towards death

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/96549

Consider the setting in this clip and what it might indicate in terms of meaning for the audience

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari 1919 had a setting that was constructed from painted buildings and streets that showed distorted angles. These were used to symbolise the mental disturbance and social chaos of the characters

Metropolis

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/96555

Watch the sequence and consider how the setting creates meaning for the audience

The pleasure garden for the sons of the masters of Metropolis

Natural images are used in this part of the film, lighter than the workers setting, freedom

Metropolis

The setting indicates the difference for the people who live above ground enjoying the work of the slaves in the workers city

The light and airy settings suggest the freedom that they people who live above ground enjoy

It also highlights the harshness of the worker city.

The workers city. This industrial setting below the ground represents the idea that the society is ordered, mechanical and controlled Inhuman, imprisonment

The internal workings of the city of Metropolis

Later this setting represents the entrance to a temple of hell. The setting symbolises how the workers feel about the city. The great machine of work is what they are being sacrificed to

Setting as a symbol for good and evil

Setting can indicate: goodness purity and love

It can also within the same film show danger, fear and evil

Symbolising a change in mood

Setting can also be used to indicate the change in the balance of good and evil.

As the film progress, the evilness moves through middle earth. As it does, the settings begin to get darker to represent that is taking over. By the final film, most of the settings are grey, destroyed and barren. There is little left which resembles the shire.

When Frodo encounters the ring wraiths the setting is dark and destroyed. Why do you think this is?

Show clip.

Setting can reveal things about the character

Consider how setting, costume and props work together here to reveal things about the character.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46-WNPlCYsg

Watch the clip without sound.

Main task

To research the importance of setting for yourselves.

Pick at least two films where you believe setting is important for creating meaning.

Analyse the importance of setting through clips, still shots and writing.

Lighting To understand how lighting can create

mood, atmosphere and meaningCinematography

Film studies AS states:

Lighting refers to the various ways in which the light, whether in the studio or on location, is controlled and manipulated in order to achieve the ‘look’ desired for a particular shot or scene.

Lighting

Lighting links in with the idea of the cinematography which links into the look of the film

The look of the film will also consider: Type of lenses Exposure level Filmstock used Lighting will also be able to suggest

who/what is the key figure in a scene and how we should read the mood of the scene

Four features of lighting

There are four major features of lighting:

Intensity Source Direction Colour

Intensity of lighting

Hard lighting

Created by a narrow intense beam of light which creates:

Sharp shadows and edges to objects

Soft lighting

Blurs contours Softens textures Creates gentler

contrasts which are often seen as natural

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTLXh_K5tZc

The lighting in this scene also indicates safety

Source of lighting

Can be natural (sun/daylight/firelight)

Can be artificial (lamps)

The shadow on his face created by artificial light, symbolises darker features of his character.

Natural light can create a sense of realism

Direction

Front lighting

Will flatten the image and remove shadows

Allows the audience to see the character and all their emotions

Side lighting

Highlights features by casting shadows.

It may highlight for example nose or cheekbones

This could highlight the fact that a character has possibly two sides to their character

It may also represent that the character is undecided or confused about events/situations/emotions

Back lighting

Defines depth by distinguishing an object from its background

This is unusual and makes the Characterappearmysterious

Top lighting

‘Bathes’ an object in light to create an aura of glamour

It could give the character an angelic haloor make them seem mysterious

Under lighting

Distorts features Changes audiences

expectations was we are used to seeing

people lit from above, usually by the Sun. Creates the idea of the strange and otherworldly

Three point lighting The back lighting is helping to counteract the unnatural look of the key lighting which may be coming form the rear and maybe above

The key lighting is usually the brightest and shining diagonally from the front

The fill lighting helps to soften the shadows produced by the key lighting

Low key lighting Low key lighting is created by

only using the key and back lights

The fill light is not used This technique produces a

sharp contrast of light and dark areas on

screen. Extreme examples of this

technique were used in film noir

The darkness representing the darkness of subject matter

It also creates a suffocating feeling

Back

Key

Lighting- Key questions

Is the lighting high or low key? What kind of mood does the lighting

create? Are different lighting techniques being

used to create different moods? How does the lighting indicate genre? Does the colour of the light change for

different scenes? If so, to what effect?

Shadow is used in the film to create a sense of menace

Filters Sometimes the lighting will be

impacted by the coloured filters which are used to create meaning for the audience.

The blue filter in the filmhighlights the depressed feelings the girl has.

High key lighting –The man who wasn’t there

What do you think about the lighting here?

The lighting here?

The lighting here?

Main task

To consider lighting and the impact I would like you to take some pictures where you think the use of light is interesting.

You can create interesting light and you can use objects rather than people.

Mise en scene- Lighting

Monday- To continue analysis of how light is used within film to create meaning and emotion for the spectator

Clip 1 – How is lighting used within the following scenes of 28 days later.

Lighting in seven

Throughout the film the lighting is minimal to reflect the darkness of society. There are moments however when it is lighter.

The light is brighter in Seven when they are in Brad Pitts house

This would be three point lighting used here

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/98130

The darkness outside the room could be symbolic of what?

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/98131

When they begin to discuss the murder again, the lighting changes and you see more use of shadow and darkness.

At the end the light is an odd colour suggesting the use of a filter. The colour is almost one of decay and represents the events to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGhFmDl2DNg&feature=related

Lighting in 28 days later

Consider the way that light is used within the following clips of 28 days later.

What lighting is used and what meaning does it create for the audience?

Lighting in Casino Royale

Consider the opening clip of Casino Royale

How is lighting used within this scene?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epxYm3OouQA&feature=related

Main task- Tuesday period 2

Using your own photos discuss the four areas of light and how you have created meaning in your photos

Source Intensity Direction ColourYou will also need to consider what you may

have done differently. This is due completed on your blog by Friday.

Friday 21st

Using the following clip- Class analysis of how meaning is created through mise en scene. We will be watching each clip twice and focusing on:

Setting Costume and props Lighting Colour Figure, expression and movement

Second clip- Class analysis doing the same as before.

Half term work

Using a clip of your choice (Approx 5 minutes) consider how mise en scene creates meaning for the audience

You should be focusing on the things that we have discussed so far.

Costume and props Setting Colour Lighting You may also want to identify anything that the

character does that you believe creates meaning as figure, expression and movement is the first lesson back on Monday.

You should include a brief description of what the film is about and the genre.

You should also include a brief summary of where your film fits into the film

You will need a description of what mise en scene is.

If you wish to use still shots from the film in your essay you may.

It will be due on your blog Sunday 31st 6pm.

Monday 1st November

To consider the role that figure, expression and movement play on creating meaning in mise en scene

Remember we are:

studying micro features of film: mise-en-scène, performance,

cinematography, editing and sound identifying how these construct

meanings and contribute to the sensory impact of film

reflecting on individual response to micro features of film as a means of exploring the relationship between film and spectator

Figure, expression and movement

Where are the characters positioned within the frame?

Does this reflect their importance?/ feelings?/ relationship with others?

What thoughts, feelings and emotions are evoked by the actors’ performances?

What kinds of movements do we see them engaged in (fighting/dancing) What does this convey about them? /their feelings?

What aspects of figure, expression and movement indicate genre?

The micro features of film: what else will we be looking at?

Throughout this unit, the emphasis will be on the interaction of film and spectator.

This unit requires the study of the micro features of film. Mise-en-scène includes setting, props, staging, costume and makeup,figure expression and movement and off-screen space.• Performance includes physical expression, vocal delivery andinteraction between performers (with reference to issues ofstaging/choreography where relevant). Cinematography includes photographic elements (e.g. cameraposition, colour, lens, depth of focus), lighting, framing andcomposition and special effects. Editing includes the organisation of time, both within a sequence andacross sections of the narrative and the organisation of space,especially in creating coherence for the spectator. The principalconventions of continuity editing, such as shot/reverse shot and the180 degree rule, will be studied. The uses of montage editing will also be considered. Sound includes diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound and the variety ofways in which aural elements (e.g. speech, music and noise) are usedin relation to visuals.