Understanding Mise-En-Scene - Max

Mise-En-Scene is a media term for what a camera shot consists of. For example; shot type (long shot & close up), lighting, props, make up, character positioning, costume, setting and framing. These are all used in a particular fashion to create a certain idea or message for the audience to understand more about the characters, situation and overall story. 

The article expresses the importance of Mise-en-scene concepts such as colours and props. For example the 1960's version of the Batman series is made to look in a particular way and address a certain target audience. It is clear that this series of Batman is that it's a light hearted comic series aimed at appealing towards children. This is clear to see from the brightly used colours and ridiculous costuming as it holds no sense of realism and it coveys joyful emotions from the colours. The props had also been made to look extravagant by the size and the positioning of them. They had all been arranged so they were close to each other, again this does not show realism which would appeal to a older target audience. The setting was 2-D and the lighting was used to show positive or negative feelings towards certain characters in a theatrical way. This shows the 1960's series as cheap and amateur. Christopher Nolan's Batman however showed the opposite to the above. The colours related to the situation and so did the costuming. The image shows that Batman is wearing prison attire which is torn and the colours are grim; this adds a sense of realism which appeals to an older target audience. 

From this my group can learn that the use of Mise-en-scene such as lighting and props needs to be thought out carefully with a full understanding of how we would like our target audience to feel. Realism is the real aim of our work as it appeals to our target audience of teens and young adults so lighting has to be used in a professional level to make sure it doesn't come across as theatrical and childish whilst remaining effective at showing off character atmosphere. For example darkness for antagonist and light for protagonist. Our use of costuming also has to be thought of carefully as we would want the audience to infer personalities from costuming only and develop on them thoughts. We could even use a red herring to throw the audience off and keep the film interesting.

Mise-en-Scene Mood Board - Charlie

Understanding Mise-en-Scene - Charlie

Understanding Mise-en-Scene

From the text I can see that using bright, over the top colours and props means that it won't be taken as seriously as something more dark and subtle. Using bright colours suggests the shot is supposed to be more happy and a bit of a joke whereas using dark, mysterious colours makes a shot more serious. Also, it is easy to tell when something is shot in a small TV studio as appose to a large film set as everything is cramped together and the actors don't have much room to move. The clothing used is very important as it creates a line between cheap, comedy costumes and high quality, serious clothing. You can easily tell the difference between the two and makes it easy to determine what kind of film and production it is. I've learnt that using large, real locations suggests that the text aspires to be more realistic than if it were filmed in a studio. 

The use of props in a shot can say a lot about the scene/character. For example, using toys and teddy bears in a shot clearly show that it is a child's room. Whereas, showing computers and paper documents shows that it is an adults room. As well as using the conventional props for a child or adult, placing other objects in the shot can tell a lot about a character. For example, placing large books in a room filled with children's toys tells the audience that the child is very intelligent for their age and is not just a normal child. Also, placing a toy in an adults room tells us that although the adult is mature and supposed to be grown up, they still hold on to their childhood and are still a child at heart. The neatness of a shot also tells us a lot about how old and mature the character is. Again, costume is used to give the audience a sense of who the character is and when the film is set. Showing a character smartly dressed throughout the film shows wealth and intelligence.

Pirates of the Caribbean Trailer - Charlie

This is my first edit using Final Cut Pro. I think it went quite well since it was my first attempt. I could have improved some of the editing as some parts didn't flow as well as others. Also, I should have made the beginning part better with more of an intro but I have only realised this now.

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

For our preliminary task we were given some props such as a Freddie Krueger glove, a stapler and a plastic axe. It was a challenge having to use these props in this task, especially the glove, as we didn't have many ideas involving these three items. Eventually, we came up with an idea which meant we could involve these props however, the parts with the glove may cause confusion as we didn't explain it very well. 

The filming side of things went pretty smoothly, as we were able to film it very quickly with no troubles. However, we did have to film in two different lessons, meaning our main character changed clothes half way through.

We feel that editing went fairly well and the whole extract ran smoothly. Moreover certain parts worked very well for instance the changes of shots during the conversation worked well with the overlapping dialogue. The sound at the beginning of the extract (the teachers lecture) was difficult to implement in our work as it would have been difficult to have made the lecture ourselves and it would of taken time. At times the lecture didn't work well with the shots, for instance when others are speaking yet the people in the shot are not, which doesn't correspond with the high angle shot showing only 3 people in the class. The fading of the lecture to show the start of the dream was also difficult to get a correct fade out. 

Shot List for Scene 1( Montage Scene/ Opening Credits)

1. Extreme close up of the drip of poison

2. High angled shot looking down at the warehouse w/ dark lighting

3.Extreme close up of scrunched up note

4. Extreme close up of identity photos and gun

Shot List for Scene 2 (Flashback Scene)

1. Over the shoulder shot of Adam walking

2. Long shot of Adam kicking the scrunched up note

3. Extreme close up of the note

Shot List for Scene 3 (Outside Warehouse)

1. POV shot from Adams view when he wakes up in the car boot
 

2. Extreme close up on the drip of poison
 

3. Extreme close up of the tube in Adams hand
 

4. Close up shot of Adam taking the drip out
 

5. Mid shot of Adam escaping from the car boot
 

6. Over the shoulder shot combined with a low angled shot showing Adam seeing James held at gunpoint by Vincent on the rooftop
 

7. High angled, almost crane shot looking down at Adam from the rooftop
 

8. Front on mid shot showing Adam glancing behind him with Tyler lurking in the background
 

9. Panning shot showing Adam and Tyler running into the warehouse

 

Shot List for Scene 4 (Inside Warehouse)

1. Over the shoulder shot showing Tyler chasing Adam into the warehouse

 

2. Close up side view shot showing Adam bursting through a stack of cardboard boxes

 

3. High angled shot showing Adam climbing up platform in warehouse

 

4.Panning shot showing Adam and Tyler running along the platform

 

5. High angled shot of them running up the stairs

 

6. Side on two shot of Tyler and Adam fighting on the stairs

 

7. Extreme close up of Adam stealing Tylers gun from his pocket

 

8. Mid shot of Adam knocking Tyler out

 by punching him

 

9. Framed shot of Adam infront of the door to the factory rooftop

Shot List for Scene 5 (Rooftop Scene)

1. Over the Shoulder shot of Adam closing the door with Vincent and James in background

2. Mid shot of Vincent holding James at gunpoint

3. Mid Long shot with Adam in the centre

4. Long side on shot showing Vincent holding James whilst opposing Adam

5. Extreme close up of Vincent

 

6. Extreme close up of Adam

7. Low angled mid over the shoulder shot of all 3 characters

8. Close up looking at James down the barrel of the gun

9. Extreme close up side on shot of the gun

10. Cuts to black