Mise-en Scene

The term usually used to denote that part of the cinematic process that takes place on the set, as opposed to editing, which takes place afterwards.The French film critic André Bazin presented two important approaches to filmmaking: montage and mise-en-scene. 

The mise-en-scene approach focuses on the creation of meaning from the elements within the frame. Making inferences on the power relationship and performance between the characters, from the depth of focus to the placement of the camera, is related to how the mise en scene is set up.

In other words, the dynamics that make up the mise en scene can be listed as decor, set design, costume, make-up, color, lighting design, layout, framing, camera lenses, aspect ratio, sound design and music.

Literally, the "putting-in-the-scene":

  • The direction of actors
  • Placement of cameras
  • Choice of lenses etc

Each one creates the desired meaning by coming together in accordance with the language of the film and the choice of the director. Everything we see in the frame at that moment while watching a movie is placed consciously.

It would not be wrong to say that any element is not there by chance. Therefore, we can say that everything is a part of mise en scene. The use of mise-en-scene is divided into two; Natural (naturalistic) and Theatrical (theatrical)

- The natural mise-en-scène is that the watched movie is appropriately realistic and familiar to the audience.

- Theatrical mise-en-scene is the setting of the film in accordance with its own nature, rather than what the audience expects from their own world. Movies from fantasy worlds such as Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings can be a good example of this.

The exaggerated set design, eccentricity and uniqueness are planned to draw the attention of the audience to the film itself.

For more information about film-making you can check our blog;

https://cinema8.com/blog/digitalised-era-of-filmmaking-and-its-benefits