Mise-En-Scene Terminology

Body Language – the way a character’s body looks and the way they hold their body eg confident, slumping down, cowering from someone etc It tells us what type of person they are and how they feel about others.

Breaking the Fourth Wall (Direct Address) – Describes a time where a character may look directly at the camera and speak to the audience. This is highly unusual but can be seen regularly in shows like Malcolm In The Middle. This is designed to emphasise that character as the most important, as powerful, and as someone we should be siding with as it helps us feel like we are “one of them” and as though we are one of their friends.

Chiaroscuro Lighting – a scene lit with extreme lighting, lots of shadows, some very bright parts. See the effects of low key lighting. Also used to make a location or character seem very dramatic and unusual

Colour – Colours in a scene often represent things. Red can represent anger, passion, danger, love. Blue can seem calm and peaceful, sometimes sad. You must pick the most appropriate meaning for the scene.

Costumes – clothes a character is wearing. You could comment on the style, shape, choice of item, colour, etc. They can tell us lots about a character, what type of person they are, how they are feeling etc. For example a floaty dress might represent someone as being traditionally girly. A policeman’s uniform might represent someone as having authority and power. Baggy, shapeless clothes might suggest someone is shy, where as tight clothing might suggest they are confident and flirtatious.

Facial Features and Expression – the way a character’s face looks and shows emotion. For example a shocked expression, sadness, a look of love. You can also comment on the way they look such as a interesting features such as bad teeth, small, squinty eyes etc It tells us what type of person they are and how they feel about others.

Hair & Make Up – the appearance of the hair of a character and the cosmetics a character might be wearing such as lipstick, a skin head etc. They tell us things about the character. For example a woman wearing very little make up might be seen as being very naive and innocent.

High Key Lighting – A bright and well lit scene with very few shadows. Often used to make a location or character seem friendly, happy, safe.

Lighting (general) – can be used to highlight important characters

Location – A place where the scene is set. A location can tell us lots about the people in it. For example a dirty, bloodstained basement could signify that a character was a villain or up to no good. A messy bedroom might signify that the character who owned it was disorganised. Don’t forget to look out for how a character reacts to their location as well (eg if they are comfortable there or not)

Low key Lighting – a dimly lit scene with lots of shadows. Often used to make a location or character seem shady, untrustworthy, dangerous, unsafe.

Props – Items a character possesses or picks up eg a gun or a bunch of flowers etc.. They can tell us lots about what type of person someone is

Voice / Tone – The way a character speaks tells us a lot. Someone who stutters might be nervous. Someone who shouts may be angry and powerful.