Mise – en - Scene - PowerPoint Presentation

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Mise – en - SceneSlide2

A French term meaning ‘put in the scene’. How a scene is composed doesn’t happen naturally, every element is discussed, analysed and changed when necessary.

When discussing mise-en-scene, imagine that if the shot was to be freeze framed, what would you see. Slide3

Sets design and prop placements

Costume designs

Framing of shots

Visual composition

Acting

LightingSlide4

The Pill Scene

Setting:

Dark and gloomy building

The room in which they meet was once a grand place – high leather back chairs, chandelier and thick curtains.

This signifies what the world once was ‘beautiful and grand’ and what it is now ‘worn, dilapidated and destroyed’Slide5

The Pill Scene

Lighting:

Green tinge is present through filters – signifying that they are within the Matrix

Lighting is expressive, low key indicating a dark gloomy place. Dark lighting accentuates the green that is present.

Lightning illuminates the frame when Morpheus turns around making his outline more distinct and telling the audience that he is a central character to the plot

Side lighting is used to cast shadow across Neo’s face, indicating that he is still hidden and still unprepared to ‘give all of himself’ into believing the existence of the Matrix

Morpheus’ face is well litSlide6

Acting

Lawrence Fishburn uses mannerisms and delivery of dialogue to emphasise his character. He appears intelligent/academic.

He speaks slowly yet deliberately, he always holds himself upright and doesn’t slouch suggesting that he may be some kind of soldier or figure in command.

Fishburn’s interacting with the pill box by twirling it around his fingers before offering it to Neo is a classic teacher/student performance.

Neo leans back when Morpheus leans forward suggesting that he is not totally ready to accept the presence of the Matrix. Slide7

Costumes/Props

Morpheus is wearing black leather trench coat along with Trinity’s outfit; Neo appears out of place amongst them.

Synonymous with ‘assassin’ costumes, in the Matrix, they are the ‘bad people’.

A glass of water sits between Morpheus and Neo. Water is pure and signifies cleansing and clarity; Neo is about be purified and receive clarity within the situation.

Morpheus wears ‘extraordinary’ glasses that reflect and we cannot see his eyes adding to his mysterious nature.

Red pill/blue pill: Red pill is in the right hand signifying Morpheus has Neo’s heart in his hands. Slide8

Framing:

A wide shot frames Neo and Morpheus on opposite sides of the frame. Morpheus is relaxed and sitting back in his chair while Neo is perched on the ‘edge of his seat’. This emphasises the state of their discussion and relationship.

A glass of water is clearly seen within this shot indicating that it is what stands between them.

As Morpheus closes the door, he is shot from a low angle using a mid shot allowing his body to take up the entire frame indicating his power and presence in the scene.

When Neo sits down for the first time, he eyes the glass of water; only he and it appears within the frame indicating it will be central to the choice he makes to become free.

When Morpheus first turns around; he is centrally framed making him the visual focus of the audience and the lightning emphasises his outline. Slide9

The Parlour Scene

Setting:

The way in which the parlour is set is an evident indicator of Norman’s split personality.

Birds of prey are positioned on the walls in a manner that suggest they are hunting or ‘preying’ on victims.

The painting hung on his wall that he removes is titled ‘The Rape of the Sabine Women’, a violent depiction of assault against women giving clues as to what will happen to Marion. Slide10

The Parlour Scene

Setting cont.

Where Marion is sitting in the parlour, round objects or rounded shapes are placed there e.g. the lamp shade, the oval frames given emphasis to her soft and gentle nature

Where Norman is sitting, there are square edged objects such as the table and the frames behind him making him appear harsh and threatening. Slide11

The Parlour Scene

Lighting:

At the beginning of the parlour scene, Norman greets Marion with the dinner tray outside her room. She is bathed in the warm glow of the light, he is positioned in the shadow suggesting something to hide or an ominous character.

The position of the lighting also allows his reflection to appear on the window pane as he is talking further giving clues to his split personality.

When in the parlour, Marion is lit with soft warm light from the lamp, bathing her in wholesomeness. There is no shadow and she is evenly lit suggesting her a good person. Slide12

The Parlour Scene

In contrast to Marion, Norman is lit with low key lighting to cast shadows across his face and across the birds.

Norman’s face is darkened giving clues to his sinister alter personality. Slide13

The Parlour Scene

Acting:

When Norman discusses his mother is the first sign we see of his other personality. Through the use of gestures and the way in which he delivers his dialogue, Perkins breaks away from his usual soft gentle tone to speak in a harsher more aggressive manner showing his frustration and gives a clue into his disturbed personality. Slide14

Props and Costume

Birds hanging on the wall

The picture frame

Marion is dressed in white. This is wear she makes a decision to turn back with the money

Norman is dressed in darker clothes giving him more contrast against Marion

The delicate way Marion holds her fork emphasises her gentle nature and adds to the fact that she is gentle in natureSlide15

The Parlour Scene

Framing:

Norman is framed with large, ominous birds behind him

One shot, he is framed directly in front of a pair of bird wings giving him a sinister ‘Angel of Death’ appearance

Norman is also positioned in a way that at times, we don’t fully see his face; suggesting that he

has something to hide.