Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is the arrangement of scenery, props and other things on the set of a movie. It pertains to the visual style of the movie, and all the aspects that serve to establish and create that style.

Production Design

Production design is the process of creating a film's Mise-en-scene. The production designer usually works in collaboration with a film's director in order to determine the visual style the movie is going for, and then they work together in order to perfect it.

Example:

This still from Moulin Rogue shows how production design can determine the tone and aesthetic of a film.

Location/Setting

The location/setting of a movie is integral to its mise-en-scene; so much of a film's visual style can rely on where the movie is set. For example, a film set in a desert wasteland would have a vastly different mise-en-scene than a film set in modern-day New York City. It can also reflect a character's state of mind though how it portrays a sense of place and mood.

Example:

The setting of La Terra Vista Dalla Luna by Pier Paolo Pasolini is a sea-side shanty town in Rome- but as this movie is about an idealised version of poverty, it comprises a lot of bold, vibrant and warm colours in its overgrown decay.

Set design

Set design comprises of how props and characters are arranged in a set. This can also entail determining whether or not to shoot on-set or on-site; while shooting on-set is usually less expensive, shooting on-site adds an element of depth and realism to a film.

Example:

The set design for the Pale Man's scene helps to convey an ominous sense of dread the scene; the shot of the table, especially, with the food and the looming pale man at the far end, surrounded by flames, helps to establish a sense of danger.

Costume, hair and make up

Costume, hair and make-up can establish time period, character and setting. Costume simply refers to what the characters choose to wear, but even that can help to distinguish their character and personality.

Example:

Saving Mr Banks uses the fashion of the times to establish the setting itself- the outfits are bright and colourful as well, which help to establish a cheerful and light tone to the movie. The hairstyles are accurate to the fashions of the time, as well.

Properties (props)

Props help to further establish the setting of a movie. Props are simply any physical object that are on set at any given times- this can range from anything, to the central object of the conflict in a film to a simple pen. However, these objects can also be used as symbolic representation of a concept/desire in a film.

Example:

The totems in Inception are a central part of the movie's world; they're used to determine whether or not something is a dream or not in the film's world. Therefore, the props that represent them are of vital importance to the setting and story of the film.

Colour design/colour palette/tone

Colour palette and design is one of the most notable aspects of a film's visual style, and can also establish a director's/production designer's very specific style, almost like a signature. It can also be used to evoke emotions in the audience, establish characters and convey a character's state of mind.

Example:

Wes Anderson's style always tends to incorporate the warm colours of red and yellow, which evokes a kind of awe but warmth in his films.

Movement & positioning of characters

The movement and position of characters on a set can provide both a sense of space in a scene, and a way of telling the audience which character has which role in a film. 

Example:

This still from Eyes Wide Shot- note how the main subject in this scene is in the middle, directing our eyes to it, surrounded by other characters. This places a central importance onto that character.

Off screen action

Off screen action refers to action that is not directly shown on screen, but is rather implied. This can either cause an air of mystery or increase the tension- as, a lot of the time, the human mind can always imagine worse things than they're actually shown.

Example:

Unlike a lot of modern horror films that go for pure shock value when it comes to showing every little detail of a murder, much of the action in Psycho's infamous shower scene is implied with quick shots and audio, rather than directly shown. We are never shown the knife actually piercing into the unfortunate victim; rather, we see vague glimpses of the horrific event.