Key terminology: Mise en scene

Learning outcomes

• Know all the elements of mise-en-scene

• Identify them in a still image• Link them to the representation

• Begin to write an analytical answer

Mise-en-scene is made up of…

• Location/ setting

• Props

• Costume and make up

• Lighting

• Characterisation

What should you be looking for?

Location / Setting

• Where is it?

• What is that location associated with? (E.g. Pub – british male. Corner shot - older asian male. Kitchen – good wife. Messy bedroom – teenage boy.)

• What colours are used?

• Is it well maintained / clean or in bad condition?

Props

• What props are there?

• How are those props associated with the representation? (E.g. Make up – female girl. Video games – teenage boy.)

• What colours are used?

• Are the props looked after?

• Do they have other connotations? (religious etc.)

Costume and Make up

• What connotations do we have of the items of clothing? (E.g. Knitted cardigan – elderly. School uniform – young children. Hoodies – teenagers. etc.)

• Do they have on lots of make up or a little?• What does it show us about their

personality and is this stereotypical or counter stereotypical?

• What colour / material / fit is it?

Lighting

• What mood is set and how does this link to the representation? (E.g. Dark lighting – negative connotations – youths. Etc.)

• Is there any kind of colour used?

Characterisation

• Body language? (Do they feel comfortable or uncomfortable in their surroundings / company?)

• Facial expressions? (How do they feel in their surroundings / company?)

• Eye contact? (Where are they looking / who are they looking at? What does this show us?)

• Levels?

How does mise-en-scene show ethnicity?

How does mise-en-scene show age?

How does mise-en-scene show gender?

How does mise-en-scene show regional identity?

How does mise-en-scene show sexuality?

How does mise-en-scene show gender?

How does mise-en-scene show physical ability/ disability?

How does mise-en-scene show age?

How does mise-en-scene show…?

How does mise-en-scene show…?

Task: Choose either the gender extract or class and status extract and answer the following question: How does mise-en-scene show representations of (gender/ social class) ?

The extract shows a stereotypical / counter stereotypical representations of gender / social class through mise-en-scene. The set and props show a stereotypical / counter stereotypical representations of gender / social class because ??? This is enhanced by the use of costume and make up because ??? In use of lighting creates a ??? effect so ???

The use of characterisation adds to the representation of gender / social class because ???