Mise - En - Scene

Mise-en-scene ("placing on stage") is an expression used to describe the design aspects of a theatre or film production, which essentially means "visual theme" or "telling a story" —both in visually artful ways through storyboarding , cinematography and stage design, and in poetically artful ways through direction. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_sc%C3%A8ne 26/05/11


Examples of Mise-en scene
1. Man and lady are sat at the dinner table and their body language (hunched up) could indicate that they have either had an argument or have a decision to make. This storyline is backed up by the way that the scene is cut into three parts (Man/Table/Women) which signifies separation and a barrier between them sets the mood for the scene. The way that the Mise-en-scene is set up, also helps the audience to work out who these people are and their history. For example, the lady in this scene has got an apron on so this shows that she is possibly a housewife, whereas the man has a suit on, possibly a business man. The facial expressions used also adds to the scene, is this picture both of the people are scowling at each other with hands on their face, this again shows that they have probably had a disagreement.          
2. The first part of the mise-on-scene that the audience see in this picture is the expression on the girl in the foreground. She looks fearful, as though she should not be in that house.
 The second thing we notice is the depth of field that separates the characters, they seem very detached from the girl, and this shows separation. It is clear that this girl does not belong, or is a worker or prisoner of some sort. The idea of being a worker is backed up by the clothing that she is wearing, and the bands around her wrist. The house that she is in also looks very well looked after, signifying wealth from the family that she is possibly working for.

 3. Body language and facial expression are the first indications of what is happening in this scene, the lady is hunched over, seemingly comforting herself with her arms, and has a grief stricken look on her face. This, combined with the picture of a man on the nightstand, tells the audience that the Lady's husband/boyfriend has either died of left her. I think that because she is wearing white and not black, it is probably the latter.It is evening, and the audience can tell this by the fact that the bedside lamp is on, and also the clock reads 21.35pm. Another part of the Mise-en-scene is the way the room is set up, it gives the impression of a 1940's bedroom and therefore the audience will presume that this is around that year.

4. In this scene we see a man and women who looked very awkward. There is a space barrier between them and this makes them seem very separate. However the mans expression looks like regret, almost as if he is looking for reassurance. She however looks very distant, as though she is thinking about what has, or is about to happen. There is also regret in her eyes. I think that by the way they are dressed, he is a business man, and is leaving her in bed whilst he goes to work, and she, in bed clothes, is left by herself.