Contextual Studies - Mise en Scène

Everything being shown on the scene or screen, actors, lightning, props, costume and so on is called "Mise en Scène", which is a French term that means "placing on stage".

The key elements of mice en scene is:
Staging - Placement of characters and props, and their body language
Costume/makeup - Visual look of characters (good vs. bad)
Setting - Environment in which the story takes place
Lightning - How it affects the setting and characters (shadows)

We looked at different clips from Game of Thrones to compare the Mise en Scène, and also compared the Mise en Scène in drama and dokumentary.


Tyrion and Cersei in King's Landing

Staging - The body language of Cersai conveys female dominance. She is the one in control over Tyrion in this scene.

Costume/makeup - Wearing nice clothes and gold being everywhere shows wealth and importance. Cersai's red dress and Tyrion's black clothes also shows contrast (good/evil).

Setting - Warm, grand (maybe a castle), rich and exotic

Lighting - Soft and warm natural lighting. Could be morning or mid afternoon.


Jon Snow prepares to head towards Craster's Keep

Staging - Those with higher priority was placed higher up, (like a stage). Status and rank.

Costume/makeup - Everyone wearing similar clothes, uniformity. Also gives them a bond to eachother.

Setting - Colder and darker. More masculine.

Lighting - The warm light is replaced with a colder, blue light. The lightning is harsh and makes lots of shadows.



Mise en Scène - Drama:

Staging - Director specific.
Costume/makeup - Designed as character specific.
Setting - Film & TV drama classically use studio sets.
Lighting - Classically high-key designed, even if simulates natural lighting.

Mise en Scène - Documentary:

Staging - Typically "natural", but often director specific.
Costume/makeup - Often authentic, but can be directed,
Setting - Classically uses "real" locations.
Lighting - Traditionally "natural", but often artificial/designed.


How does Mise en Scène help us in storytelling?

- Useful visual shorthand. Show, not tell.
- Can help define characters, their emotional state and status, (class and occupation).
- Can help define relationshipsbetween characters through staging, lightning and framing.
- Action is character. What we do is as important as what we say.

If we don't have Mise en Scène we wont have any visual context. We will essentially only have audio which makes it radio, not television.

//Images from google.com and youtube.com\\

Picture

Screenshot