Introduction to Moving Image

Introduction to Moving Image

Mise-en-scene

 

. how set is lit

. how subjects are framed

. how actors look

. what they are wearing

. Props

 

Art Department

Making setting fit the film: time periods and things that was around at that time. Build things to help with realism. Creates the world

Costume Department

Research suitable clothing and outfits for the characters as they grow through out the film. Costumes tell the story by changing the clothing through out helps the actors get into character.

Hair and makeup

How to style actors discussion with directors. Using wigs for time appropriate looks

Makeup for cuts, bruises and any effects. Transform actors into characters.

 

 

 

Placement of actors and props on scene

 

Andre Bazin – Mise en scene , montage

 

Storytelling in a single image

 

Sound, music also count towards mise en scene

 

Elements in one shot

 

Naturalistic – film world matches real thing

 

Theatrical – Film does not match real world. Exaggerated world setting and props 

 

 

Se7en

 

The small, dimly lit room shows the characters do not have a lot of money or they do not want to spend their wealth. The way the room is untidy also shows us that the characters are either lazy or could not care about their living environment. The sound of emergency service sirens gives a hint to the audience that something is either wrong or that they live in a high crime area. The traffic noises show us that they live in a busy area or it is rush hour and people are commuting to work. The fact we see this character in a shirt and tie could link him to working in an office environment or something of that nature which shows he could just be a normal person living a normal life. 

 

2^nd clip

The darkness off the room and the white shirt in which the character is wearing show a contrast which makes the audience focus on the main character as opposed to the setting in which he is in. The busy road noises of emergency sirens and horns show that the accommodation is located on a busy road or in a busy town this could also be a hint to what is to come. The fact that this characters accommodation is clean shows he respects himself and is not a lazy character we can tell by the way his bed is made and his jacket is laid out on the bed therefore having no creases unlike the characters in the previous clip. The fact we see the 2nd character pick up a badge of some sort tells us that he is of some kind of importance or authority this also connotes that he is one of the main characters. We then see him enter the scene of a murder which tells us he works for the police department in the city and is a homicide investigator.  

Lighting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KvvjkbnHX4

In the opening of this clip the lighting is kept rather dark in order to hide the characters identity which makes the viewer think of who it could be walking with the cane. When Major Campbell spots Thomas in the hole In the wall the lighting is still kept rather dark this is to make the current situation a mystery and keeps the viewer guessing on what is going to happen and why the characters are more like shadows than people.

 

When the camera cuts to a close up shot of Thomas’s face we see that on half of his face is lit and therefore gives us the connotation that he wants to remain hidden from sight. The fact that the characters faces are only half lit makes the viewers think, what is going on? And why do they want to hide their faces? The use of only half lighting Thomas’s face intimidates both the other character and the audience this is because it could be being used in order to hide something like a weapon etc. Therefore, also showing power as well as intimidation. This also links in with the fact that they are keeping Thomas in the shadows to match his dark clothing therefore keeping him hidden from plain sight. The dimly lit passage also reflects on the time period as automatic streetlights and other lighting types were not around at the time so it adds an element of realism by using realistic lighting patterns.

 

The way the camera uses the light to focus on the characters themselves makes the background less important, they do have other people walking around to simulate realism but that is just for effect. Therefore, does not distract the viewer that much to draw them away from what is the focus point of the clip.

 

The way they have used to light to simulate a passage under a bridge is very effective, this is because you can make out the light from the sun on the left of Major Campbell  showing the outside of the passage and the darkness to the right which shows the inside of it. The use of it being dark under the bridge gives us the connotation that Thomas wants to either be hidden or hide something from Major campbell.