In this blog post I will be discussing the different elements of mise-en-scène including: props, lighting, costumes, actor blocking, shot composition. To have an overall better understanding of mise-en-scène, and the reasoning as to why they are used to convey meaning within the Bildungsroman genre.
Props:
Props can contribute to a films aesthetic like a film being set in the 50s may have a record player. A 50s film wont have the Iphone 17 as a prop because that would not match the story being told. When actors interact with props it moves the plot and further embeds the story in its physical context.
In Wicked Glinda’s wand is precedent for a prop that moves the plotline. Although Glinda didn’t have any powers unlike Elphaba, the wand is a symbol of her status. Throughout the musical Glinda struglles to earn true magical powers, but this wand grants her the magic.
Related to Bildungsroman:
- Mirrors: can depict self discovery and the realization of one's changing appearance and personality.
- Journals or diaries: signify self reflection and a recorded journey towards growth.
- Books: represent the education needed to later exceed with maturing.
- Overworn apparel: illustrating a long journey that protagonist has traveled.
- Maps: learning how to travel in unfamiliar terrotory signifying personal growth.
- Younger photos: showing a complete contrast within the protagnists present self and childhood innocence.
Lighting:
Lighting helps create framing, contrast, and set the tone. For example, low-key lighting is used to create a contrast with the character and background, mystery, and close framing. This type of lighting also creates a forboding type of environment that surrounds the character.
This low-key lighting from the movie Dune creates mystery and a dark mood.
Related to Bildungsroman:
This genre typically contains natural, romantic lighting to artificial. Shifting from romantic tales to story lines focused on fragmented experiences often isolating experiences of modern life. So, typically lighting is either natural/ romantic; however, when fragmented life experiences take place it is sort of more artificial lighting rather than natural.
Costumes:
The costumes create a visual narrative that establishes the films setting, themes, and atmosphere overall. Costumes create a storyline for each character without them saying a single word of dialogue. For example, if a character wheres a fedora and trench coat you as the viewer can assume this character is mysterious and most likely has a role as a detective
In Fallout, the costumes do a great job when depicting the post-apocalyptic scenery. Making actors have a “dirty” look to them which helps convey meaning of survival. Also the 1950s American aesthetic is shown throughout the outfits worn by the actors, this helps keep the theme. If a pair of jordans were to be worn, that would throw off the aesthetic as a whole.
Related to Bildungsroman:
- Uniforms: represent education the protagonist must have to grow, and it symbolizes common themes like societal pressure.
- Casual wear: emphasize the idea that the protagonist is just like any other ordinary person going through their person growth.
Actor blocking:
A director can instruct an actor to position themselves in a scene in a certain way to block the actor from the camera. This helps to grab the audiences attention with identification of a character. But, this can also be done to discourage the audience on a character while they are blocked.
Composition of shots:
The following photos are notes that I have taken throughout my AICE Media Studies class. I learned how the rule of thirds creates more interest to the subject in the middle of the grid. The difference between open and closed framing. How closed framing captures a close-up shot of the subject that closes off their environment around them. However in contrast open framing provides context in the background pulling less emotion from the viewer.
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