Mise-en scene :: Free Essays

Mise-en scene The literal translation of the word mise en scene means, "to put on stage" or "placing of a scene", and is used to describe those visual aspects that appear within a single shot. These definitions are derived from the terminology of the theatre; additional meanings have been added in recent years to apply the term in the cinema, the more open definition now also encompasses sound. Ira Konigsberg defines mise en scene, in "The complete film dictionary" as "Mise en scene, in discussions of film, refers to the composition of the individual film, the relation of objects, people and masses; the interplay of light and dark; the pattern of colour; the camera's position and angle of view, as well as the movement within the frame". The use of mise en scene in films is now often registered as the imprint that the director puts upon their cinematic vision, the totality of how the director designs and actuates given scenes. The many areas they fall into being: Setting is usually perceived as a signifier of authenticity, such as the place where the events are happening, they are a constructed setting for action. Often settings are invented, they do not exist, and are set in the future or space, films such as Star Wars or the Fifth Element. Locations can not only be recognised and help us to place the characters within a film, but can also through the film itself create their own space and meaning. Props are devices for conveying meaning which films are dependent upon. They are definers of genre, examples of which are weapons in action films. They can also however become unique signifiers of meaning in a particular film, while all scenes are constructed around numerous props, our attention is often attracted to a particular significant one by the use of close up or dialogue. This shows the significance of the objects, we know that thy will be important in the narrative. Costume and Make-up these are variants of props but are tightly