1. Film Language
MISE EN SCÈNE

2. Mise en scène includes:
•Costume
•Lighting and colour
•Actors (or action)
•Make up and hair
•Props
•Setting

3. Costume…
When? Rich or poor?

4. Costume…
What?

5. Costume…
Where & When?

6. Lighting & Colour

7. STAR
CAMERA
BACK LIGHT
KEY
LIGHT
FILLER
LIGHT

8. Other Basic Lighting Options
CAMERA STAR
Under lighting
Backlighting
Top lighting

9. High & Low Key
• High key lighting tries
to create a naturalistic
effect.
• Low key lighting
emphasises shadows,
normally for effect.

10. High or Low Key?

11. Where is this image lit from?
What effect does this create?

12. What about this one?

13. What type of lighting is this?

14. Where is the subject being lit from?

15. Key Terms for Lighting...
• Key Light
• Low key lighting
• High key lighting
• Back lighting
• Top lighting
• Under lighting

16. Extension

17. Film Noir & Chiaroscuro
Lighting
• Low Key Lighting
– Creates a hard / sharp look with strong areas of
contrast between light and dark
– The faces of the actors lit in this way suggest a
darker side to their personality
– Have parts of the set casting shadows to create
an air of fragmentation and mystery
• Also enabled the use of cheap sets, as the lighting
hide their faults

18. Acting

19. Make Up & Hair

20. Props

21. Setting

22. Set and Props…
What?
Who?

23. Look at the
following
image(s) and,
thinking about
mise-en-scène,
answer the
following
questions:

24. Where and when is this happening?
What is the nature of this place?

26. What is the nature of this character and how
does mise-en-scene contribute to this reading?

28. What juxtapositions (opposites placed side by
side) are being explored in this still and what
does this make us think about the characters