Mise-en-Scene Case Study

This class we went back to learning Mise-en-scene.  Mise-en-scene is the way that a shot is arranged and all the elements that make it up. For this post, I had to choose 3 scenes from 3 of my favorite shows or movies. After finding the perfect shots to use, I had to explain the elements in the shot and how they contribute to the meaning of the scene.

Scene 1: Fractured

For my first show, I picked Fractured. In this scene all of the elements can be used to somewhat infer that there is a tense atmosphere. The costumes are used to play a slight but noticeable role in the shot. As the guy on the left is seen with a doctor's white gown and doctor items. On the other hand, what are assumably the parents of the little girl, are wearing casual clothing, which shows they were on a trip and something negative happened. Furthermore, the doctor can be assumed to have authority and is in control, contradicting the fact that the parents can't help out their daughter, showing the vulnerability and sense of uselessness the parents are feeling through their clothing. Specifically, the dad as he is seen kneeling down next to his daughter which we could assume is probably hurt in some way. The lighting and setting are also a key component as the white walls and dark lighting are a way that the dad's anxiety over his daughter condition is being expressed for the viewer. The colors in this scene also expressing an intense feeling of tension as a color palette of dark whites, blue, and other dark colors contributes to the clinic vibes, bringing a discomforting feeling. Finally, the framing is used to drag the viewer's sights to the conversations between the parents and the doctor, creating the scene to be taken more seriously and an uneasy sensation.

Scene 2: Smile

In this scene from Smile 2, the mise-en-scène elements are used to capture the horror and psychological tension. The setting in this scene is an elegant event, which you could tell by the costumes and the way the room is filled with bright lighting . The bright colors contradict to Paul (the person in the middle with a white shirt) as he brings a dark and ominous presence to the overall shot. He is also isolated due to the colors because as you can see, he is the only person on camera at this moment that has a full white suit on, the background characters are all in black colors. The lighting play a big role, as a shadow is done around Paul and he is lit up with bright colors, focusing the camera and viewers attention on him. like wise, as he is walking up to the artist the framing is similar to the lighting in the sense that he gets isolated visually causing him to seem more like danger and demonic like then as a human, especially with the smile. Going back to the costumes, the white attire in which Paul is dressed in can be used to symbolize a ghost.

Scene 3: Outer Banks

For my last scene, i choose Outer banks season 4, episode 3, the mise-en-scène elements in this scene work towards creating the feeling of action, competition, and overall the intensity of the shot. The setting is in an outside environment with many different vehicles and people surrounding, this is more then likely as you can see by the bikes and the costumes an event that requires the dirt bikes. The costumes are casual and protective gear, which shows the character and the intense event they are going to take part in. Furthermore, the costumes in which the characters are dressed in can show that the series is set in a modern time period, their "dare devil" nature they have and the risks they will and our willing to take. The colors is vibrant, which includes bright colors such as red, yellow, some brown and dark colors but overall the colors are able to show how the scene is vibrant and the youthfulness in the characters.