Research Mise-en-scene

 What is mise en scene?

Mise en scene can be defined as the use of scenery and props such as lighting, decor, makeup, and costume design. The key elements include production design, lighting, and production design. 

Why is mise en scene important when creating a media text and what impact does it have on the audience?

Mise en scene helps set the tone in a movie poster for example when comparing a horror movie poster to a comedic one, it can be seen that the horror movie has a darker color with an emptier background as the human mind links emptiness to discomfort to create a feeling of suspense and melancholy for the audience. In contrast, a comedic poster has many bright colors and is compact to counter the feeling of discomfort and generates happiness for the audience. 

Mise-on-scene can be identified in almost any movie. An example of this can be seen in the movie scream through which the protagonist (scream) can be identified by his mask (the prop) which helps build a villain persona. Therefore, this creates a horror atmosphere that can be linked back to the genre. I tend to apply mise-on-scene to my opening sequence by using props such as knives and fake blood. Using these props will help the audience identify the theme and genre of the opening sequence while also creating a sense of unease and tension due to the narrative behind the knife and fake blood. 

Mise-en-scene conventions

The term "mise-en-scène" describes the numerous components that make up visual storytelling in a movie. These components include the scene's location, furnishings, props, and lighting, etc. The following are some mise-en-scene conventions:

Setting: A movie's setting consists of the actual place, the surroundings, and the backgrounds. Along with the time and location of the story, the setting can communicate the mood and tone of the movie.

Lighting: Lighting is a crucial component of mise en scène because it can produce shadows, highlights, and contrast, which help to define a scene's tone and atmosphere. Different lighting configurations can also represent distinct seasons, places, or moods.

Color: Color can be used in mise en scene to represent themes, establish the mood, or both. For instance, warm hues like red and orange can denote fervor or peril, while cool hues like blue and green can connote peace or melancholy.

Sound: Sound is a component of mise-en-scène even though it isn't purely a visual element. The use of dialogue, music, and sound effects can enhance the scene's visual components and evoke a particular mood or feeling.

Props: Props are items that actors use to further the plot, elucidate meaning, and arouse viewers' interest visually. Props can be symbolic, metaphorical, or used to draw up a particular setting or time.

Costume and makeup are used in films to strengthen the quality and emphasize the tone. For example, in the movie The Dark Knight, batman's costume is black and it invokes fear and strength in the audience, about the character. Furthermore, the right kind of makeup helps the audience relate to the character's role.

Overall, the mise-en-scène conventions work together to produce a unified visual style that tells the narrative and gives the viewer meaning.