Mise-En-Scene

Mise-En-Scène

Mise-En-Scene basically refers to everything that you can see through the camera. I say basically because it has been called a "grand undefined term" by film critics. 

Examples of Mise-En-Scene would be the setting, lighting, costume, special effects, props, actors etc. 

I am going to use one music video and will try pick out factors of mise-en-scene this way it will show how common mise-en-scene really is. Music videos nowadays are usually virtually short movies and since its short i am using it as a example. The music video i will be using is Snitch - Obie Trice ft Akon. 

The song is about a "snitch" and the video is about a robbery and the events that took place after.

from the opening of the video

What can we see in this still shot? money (prop), a actor in all black clothes, a bank, a black bag etc.

These all connote robberies and what do you think is happening right now in this scene? yes a robbery. 

the moment when the "snitch" gets caught.

The lighting in this still shot is vey natural however it does make the 'snitch' standout. The clothes he's wearing are usually associated with thugs/drug dealers/ urban youths and next to him are 2 police officers who seem to blend into society more. This tells you what kind of people committed the crime in this instance and therefore appeals to other groups within the audience. 

Another person involved in the robbery is later being questioned by the police (after the snitching). The lighting on this is very dim and very realistic to a actual police interview room. The focus is on the suspect and the props suggest exactly whats happening. Even the dog tag on the officers neck for example.

snitch having a good time

The snitch is pictured here having a good time. You can see he is having a good time because you can see the expensive liquor and wine glasses. He is also smiling and has a few glamourous girls around him.

Obie Trice & Akon (got snitched on)

 Obie trice here is pictured with Akon who didnt snitch and they are just rapping but they are talking about how they are going to hit up the snitch. The clothes they are wearing cause cross reference to what the snitch is wearing and lets you know that they are related in a sense, unlike the police.

Obie Trice and crew outside snitches place

Obie trice and his crew are outside the snitches place with a big black car and every one there is blacked out, similar to how they were dressed when they were robbing the bank however not that covered. You cant see much about the characters here but the location is in the middle of nowhere which you can afford when you have money however this isnt always a good thing as you can find out.

Snitch door being burst open

 Obie trice here kicks the door open and comes in for his revenge. You cant see much in this scene besides a few props however it does let you know this is a house and the door flying off in that way never means a good thing, 

Composition - the way the scene is put together 

Sets - setting (natural/artificial) 

Props – objects, items used i.e swords, lamps, lighters.

Actors – a person who portrays a character this could also be just via voice

Costumes – garments, hairstyles, accessories 

Sounds – digetic, non-digetic, music, 

Lighting – the light, natural, hard/soft etc.

Special Effects - artificial effects later edited onto the sequence / green screen etc.