Mise-en-scene encompasses the most recognizable

attributes of a film – the setting and the actors; it includes

costumes and make-up, props, and all the other natural and

artificial details that characterize the spaces filmed.

The term is borrowed from a French theatrical expression,

meaning roughly “put into the scene”.

In other words, mise-en-scène describes the stuff in the

frame and the way it is shown and arranged. It covers four

general areas: setting, lighting, costume and staging.

Lighting is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect.

o Natural lighting – is from a natural source such as the sun or fire

o Available lighting – the naturally occurring light on the set will be used to completely or partially light the scene. This is usually sunlight but can also refer to any lighting that is not set up by the crew. Eg. Street lights.

o Artificial lighting – lighting that is not provided by a natural or available source

o Key lighting – the main light source used to light a subject in a scene

o Low key – refer to any scene with a high light ratio. Often used in horror/thrillers

o High key – this scene is flooded with light, very few shadows. Often seen in romantic comedies/musicals.

The obvious purpose of costuming is to dress

an actor according to his character. Lawyers

wear suits, nurses wear scrubs, and a drifter

could wear worn out shoes, ragged shirt, and

baggy trousers - But, more than that,

costuming can also be used to establish

someone’s hierarchic level. Costuming may

also be used to emphasise a theme.

The set design refers to the decor of the

set, or how it’s dressed. Mainly

containing the furniture, props, and the

set itself. Instead of just placing objects

here and there, the director must be

savvy to fathom how these elements

may bear significance in a deeper level,

while also emphasizing themes, creating

meanings, and provoking thoughts.