Mis-en-scene consists of 5 main points. these are location and props, lighting and colour, costumes, positions and facial expressions and body language.
Mis- en- scene is important because it is used to create everything within the scene. The lighting can create an eerie dark atmosphere, whereas the location can be used to create a heightened sense of fear amongst the audience if the character is alone in the middle of nowhere. The body language and facial expressions is important because this can give the audience an insight into the characters on screen and show them what they are thinking or feeling.
The clip i have chose to analysis is from the film 'Sinister'. I chose this clip because it displays mis-en-scene to the audience through a thriller and shows many of the conventional techniques associated with a thriller film.
The clip starts off with bright lighting and a happy atmosphere with children playing by the pool. However halfway through there is a big contrast as the lighting changes drastically and becomes dark and eerie. The change in lighting would also make the audience realise that the atmosphere has changed and become more on edge. It also lures the audience into a false sense of security before changing the lighting and building suspense within the audience.
Throughout the clip ambient music is played which also adds to the atmosphere and sets the sinister tone. This is also suspenseful and creates tension as the pitch of the music gets higher and higher as the climax is nearly reached.
The setting of the clip is a house. This is a relatable setting for the audience which immediately makes it more personal and scary as they can imagine themselves being put in that situation. The props used in the beginning of the chairs like deck chairs are usually associated with relaxation and enjoyment. At the end of the clip the bodies are tied to the chair and the chairs therefore develop a negative association with death.
After the characters death a masked face appears in the water. This use of hidden identity makes the audience fear the villain as they do not not know who he is or why he is killing them. The mask prop makes him seem more mysterious and increases the fear factor that the villain possesses.
This post demonstrates a very basic understanding of how mise-en-scene infroms the audience of the conventions of a thriller and this is because you have not fully analysed the five areas.
ReplyDeleteThe points that you have included are too basic and does not demonstrate any understanding of the micro elements. Therefore, you need to-
1) Refer back to the lesson and include the correct terminology
2) Idenitfy the 5 elements in more detail and ensure that you use the PEER format
3) Include a summary to explain how your research will assist you with planning your own thriller
You have started to consider some of the changes, to this post and you have started to elaborate on the points that you have made. You have explored your examples in further detail, but you still need to refer back to the codes and conventions of a thriller in more detail, by considering the emotions that are created and evoked.
ReplyDeleteRefer back to your class notes, as sound is not part of mise-en-scene!