Preliminary Exercise 4: Analyzing Mise en scene

 What is Mise en scene?

"Mise en scène" is a term used in the study of stage and film production that refers to the arrangement of elements in a scene, including the setting, costumes, lighting, and other visual elements. The mise en scène is an important element in the storytelling process as it helps set the tone, mood, and atmosphere of the production. It also helps to create a visual context for the audience to understand the action and emotions of the characters.

The purpose of mise en scène is to create a visual and auditory experience for the audience that reflects the mood, atmosphere, and emotional state of the story or characters. The goal is to enhance the storytelling by using visual and auditory elements to create a consistent and cohesive visual language.

The elements of mise en scène are:

Setting: This includes the location, props, and any other physical objects used to create the setting of a scene.

Lighting: This involves the use of lights and shadows to create a specific mood or atmosphere in a scene.

Costumes: This includes the clothing and accessories worn by the characters to create a specific look or style.

Hair and makeup: This includes the styling of the characters' hair and makeup to create a specific look.

Sound design: This involves the use of sound effects, soundscapes, and music to create a specific mood or atmosphere in a scene.

Camera angles: This involves the use of different camera angles and movements to create a specific viewpoint or perspective in a scene.

Cinematography: This involves the use of lighting, camera angles, and camera movements to create a specific look or style in a scene.

These elements work together to create the overall visual and auditory effect of a scene and help to convey the story and emotions of the characters.

By using lighting, costumes, props, sets, sound design, and camera angles, the mise en scène can create a specific aura and mood that reflects the emotional and psychological state of the characters. For example, using dim lighting and slow camera movements can create a sense of tension and suspense, while bright, warm lighting and fast camera movements can create a sense of excitement and energy.

General Information of Film
Film Title: Cruella	Media Institution Name: Trailer/movie
Film Studio (s): Walt Disney Pictures, Marc Platt Productions, Gunn films	Director: Craig Gillespie
Year released: 2021	Genre and sub-genres: adventure, comedy, crime
Cost of production (Budget): $200 million	Box Office: $233.5 million
A brief synopsis of the film. Three lines max. in your own words:  Cruella or Estella is a young fashion designer who becomes obsessed with a high-end fashion house and will stop at nothing to become its lead designer. The movie takes place in the 1970s, during London's punk rock era, and is filled with amazing costume design, fashion, and action.

Setting
Definition: The time and place of a story
	Setting is…………………….(describe)
	Message:
	Cruella is making her debut at the baroness’s party.
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:
	Shocking and eventful.
Location (Where and geographic description): at the baroness’s party.
Time Period: 1956
Time of Day:   night
Culture/moral values of the setting:
Acting
Definition: The performing art in which movement and gestures are used to realize a fictional character for a film.
	The acting is………
	Messages
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:
Character portrayed: Confident and graceful
Character appearance: Feminine and Tall
Character actions: Showing off
Facial expressions and body language: Competitivity and confidence
Voice quality/ tone: positive and Smug
Set Design: Décor and Props
Definition: the backgrounds and objects seen in film.
	Set design (décor and props) wooden floors, green walls, green door, sofa. lamp, cabinet painting
	Message:
	old and fancy.
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:
	old fashioned clean and uptight.
Décor: wooden floors, green walls, green door
Props: sofa. lamp, cabinet painting
Job title: The Set Decorator: Alice Felton
Costumes, hair, and make-up
Definition: Used to change appearance.
	The costume is a school uniform   The hair and make-up is that she is using hair dye to have white and black hair and she used foundation.
	Message:
	fitting in with the rest.
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:
	uptight and neat.
Costumes: school uniform
Hair: white and black hair dye.
Make-up: foundation
Job title: The key makeup artist: Nadia Stacey
Lighting
Definition: The direction, quality, source, or color of light to create an atmosphere. Ex. Warm lighting, back lighting.
	The lighting is warm and somewhat dim
	Message:
	very sophisticated
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:
	fancy and neat.
Light Direction: top lighting
Light Source: chandeliers to light up the room
Light Quality: somewhat low
Job title: The gaffer: Chuck Finch

Reflections

The mise en scène is also an important tool for the filmmaker to control the narrative and guide the audience's attention and understanding of the story. By carefully selecting and arranging the visual and auditory elements, the filmmaker can create a certain impression and meaning of the scene and help to convey the message of the film.