Mise En Scene Introduction

Out of all the techniques that are present in cinema, mise-en-scene is the one which we are most familiar with. A large amount of our most sharply etched memories of the cinema turn out to center around mise-en-scene.


''Mise en scene'' background:
A french term, ''mise-en-scene'' means ''putting into the scene.'' The term was first applied to the practice of directing plays. It was used to signify the director's control over what appears in the film frame. Expectedly, mise-en-scene includes the aspects of film that are also see within theater, such as lighting, setting and costume. Mise-en-scene is usually a technique used which has been planned. Having said this, the filmmaker may be happy for unplanned events to occur which may end up helping to enhance a dramatic effect. For example, an unexpected change in lighting or an actor adjusting his line slightly, both this occurrences could protentially make a scene better, even though they were not planned to happen.


''Mise en scene'' definition:
1. A french term meaning what is put into a scene or frame.
2. Visual information in front of a camera.
3. Communicates essential information to the audience.

Five elements of ''Mise en scene'': 
1. Settings and props
2. Costumes, hair and makeup
3. Facial expressions and body language
4. Lighting and colour
5. Positioning of characters/objects with in the frame


Realism of ''Mise en scene'':
Viewers often judge mise-en-scene via standards of realism. For instance, a gesture may not seem realistic because ''real people don't act that way.'' It is however, hard to keep certain aspects of mise-en-scene realistic, purely because notions of realism vary over time, among individuals and across cultures. Realism can also be debated, for instance if everything in a film was realistic would this not detract from the story line or the films excitement? simply because the event happening would not be able to happen in real life. For some people, this may lead them to liking the film more, as it has a dream-like element to it. The degree of realism shown should altimiately depend on the genre of the film and the message that is being communicated. Georges Méliés's mise-en-scene for example, famously allowed him to create a totally imaginary world on film. - A totally unrealistic concept that worked.