Researching Mise-En-Scene-Scream 4
Mise-En-Scene is the arrangement of the setting and props used to represent the location where the movie is enacted. I have chosen to use Scream 4 as my analysis into Mise-En-Scene as it displays the numerous key components when looking into Mise-En-Scene the five micro elements of Mise-En-Scene are the setting, costumes, facial expression/body language, position of characters and the colours/lighting.
Firstly the setting is an important factor when analysing the thriller genre for example Scream 4 at the opening scene is set in a horror type haunted house. This is deliberate from the director of Scream because a setting like this is typically conventional for the thriller genre. The setting of the mysterious house helps to put an considerable amount of empathises on the experience created to the audience, the house displays a sense of fear which is also commonly used in the thriller genre. This style of setting is typical to the thriller genre because it creates suspense, shock and surprise the horror house setting also builds up to what is going to happen next.
Secondly another aspect of Mise-En-Scene is the costume and clothing side for example the bright yellow clothing of the female character and the purple clothing on the other actor is an instant indication that they are the victims and it implies to the audience that the film directors gave they a naive personality furthermore bright colours on the actors help to associate the status on the specific character within Scream 4. This relates to the thriller genre because this type of bright clothing is commonly used in within the thriller genre and it is stereotypical in a thriller film to have a female victim .
The third part of Mise-En-Scene is facial expression and body language this is pivotal when looking at Mise-En-Scene in Scream. An example of this is when Judy speaks to the caller 'this is the last person your ever going to see alive' the facial expression on her face when she hangs up already tells the audience that she is frightened and petrified at the prospect of this unknown caller killing her. You can also infer that the body language on both the characters when the phone rings again is panicky and nervy as you would expect from the victims in a thriller movie especially when Judy reads the text message. The facial expressions and the body language can relate to the thriller genre because the victims are usually afraid and it is a conventional theme that occurs most of the time in a thriller type movie.
The fourth aspect of Mise-En-Scene is the positioning of the characters. In Scream 4 this is very important because it draws attention to the characters importance of the scene and how crucial the different characters can be such as you'd want the victim to be in the centre of the scene as that is the most important character in Scream at that point in the scene. You see the position of the same position on the sofa as the opening scene continues, you see this three times and I can infer from the position of the characters that it indicates the film director is trying to represent a close relationship between the actors also when analysing this aspect of scream for Mise-En-Scene I understand that the position of the characters are crucial within this film and the thriller genre as it is vital to display a clear narrative with the position of the characters.
The final aspect of Mise-En-Scene is the colours/lighting used, an example of this it the black and white themed location of the houses. The low key lighting is used to empathise the fact that the colours are distinct in their own right because you expect the killer to come out of the dark. This represents the dark colours in this way thriller movies are commonly directed. In addition the dim light is cleverly used because it displays a level of not knowing to what is going to happen next the lighting and colour ties in with the facial expressions an example of this is when the characters were afraid of answering the door, the dim light implies the frightful look on the female actors face, This can relate to the thriller genre because it gives an indication to the audience that action and excitement is always going to take place in the thriller genre and especially in Scream 4 as it applies a element of a hidden identity within this film..
To summarise the analysis of Scream from Mise-En-Scene will contribute to my groups thriller sequence by influencing the different micro elements that are involved for example the low key lighting is what we as a group will take inspirations from and we will try to include this in our sequence to make it more conventional to the thriller genre also this adds the element of a anxiousness for the audience as it would be tough to see who the killer is when adding low key lighting into our groups thriller sequence. The research of Scream will help us into making the sequence better is that Scream is a famous thriller film and has a lot of different codes and conventions that we look to include in the sequence that we are creating such as the stereotypical blonde victim in the thriller sequence.
Secondly another aspect of Mise-En-Scene is the costume and clothing side for example the bright yellow clothing of the female character and the purple clothing on the other actor is an instant indication that they are the victims and it implies to the audience that the film directors gave they a naive personality furthermore bright colours on the actors help to associate the status on the specific character within Scream 4. This relates to the thriller genre because this type of bright clothing is commonly used in within the thriller genre and it is stereotypical in a thriller film to have a female victim .
The third part of Mise-En-Scene is facial expression and body language this is pivotal when looking at Mise-En-Scene in Scream. An example of this is when Judy speaks to the caller 'this is the last person your ever going to see alive' the facial expression on her face when she hangs up already tells the audience that she is frightened and petrified at the prospect of this unknown caller killing her. You can also infer that the body language on both the characters when the phone rings again is panicky and nervy as you would expect from the victims in a thriller movie especially when Judy reads the text message. The facial expressions and the body language can relate to the thriller genre because the victims are usually afraid and it is a conventional theme that occurs most of the time in a thriller type movie.
The fourth aspect of Mise-En-Scene is the positioning of the characters. In Scream 4 this is very important because it draws attention to the characters importance of the scene and how crucial the different characters can be such as you'd want the victim to be in the centre of the scene as that is the most important character in Scream at that point in the scene. You see the position of the same position on the sofa as the opening scene continues, you see this three times and I can infer from the position of the characters that it indicates the film director is trying to represent a close relationship between the actors also when analysing this aspect of scream for Mise-En-Scene I understand that the position of the characters are crucial within this film and the thriller genre as it is vital to display a clear narrative with the position of the characters.
The final aspect of Mise-En-Scene is the colours/lighting used, an example of this it the black and white themed location of the houses. The low key lighting is used to empathise the fact that the colours are distinct in their own right because you expect the killer to come out of the dark. This represents the dark colours in this way thriller movies are commonly directed. In addition the dim light is cleverly used because it displays a level of not knowing to what is going to happen next the lighting and colour ties in with the facial expressions an example of this is when the characters were afraid of answering the door, the dim light implies the frightful look on the female actors face, This can relate to the thriller genre because it gives an indication to the audience that action and excitement is always going to take place in the thriller genre and especially in Scream 4 as it applies a element of a hidden identity within this film..
To summarise the analysis of Scream from Mise-En-Scene will contribute to my groups thriller sequence by influencing the different micro elements that are involved for example the low key lighting is what we as a group will take inspirations from and we will try to include this in our sequence to make it more conventional to the thriller genre also this adds the element of a anxiousness for the audience as it would be tough to see who the killer is when adding low key lighting into our groups thriller sequence. The research of Scream will help us into making the sequence better is that Scream is a famous thriller film and has a lot of different codes and conventions that we look to include in the sequence that we are creating such as the stereotypical blonde victim in the thriller sequence.
The points that you have identifed within your chosen film sequence demonstrates some understanding of how mise-en-scene creates meaning towards an audience.
ReplyDeleteYou have identified the correct elements, but further discussion is needed of the examples. This can be achieved by considering a range of further examples within the scene, which will extend your analysis further. You also need to consider the conventions of a thriller film in more detail, by focusing on the correct media terminology word, such as low key lighting/back lighting, etc.
Finally, you need to include a summary to explain how your research will assist you with planning your own thriller.
This post now demonstrates a proficient understanding of how mise-en-scene is used within your chosen thriller genre. This is evident through the points and changes that you have made, on conventions and terminology.
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