Mise-en-scene

The term "mise-en-scene" is French, and it roughly translates to "assembly of the scene". In all forms of art and media, be they paintings, cartoons, advertisements, comic books, or films, the assembly of the mise-en-scene is apparent.

This relates to props visible in the scene, the lighting, the camera movements and techniques, colours, music, space, costumes, actors, and even to an extent, the actions of the actors. I was once told that nothing in media is accidental. If something is present, then it is like that for a reason, and it is for the audience to decipher why it is so.

Have a look at some examples which demonstrate this:

These images are completely random. I haven't thought of any particular scene that demonstrates the qualities of the mise-en-scene, and that is because these qualities are present in all forms of visual art and media. Some do it better than others, but concepts and theories are apparent in all.

But just through these few random shots, the audience is able to question and dissect each piece of information in the scene and come to his or her own conclusion regarding it. Why is the character wearing a hat in doors? What purpose does that lamp have? How would the scene be perceived if that lamp wasn't there? One side of the shot is dark, and the other well-lit. Why?

Because of these questions, it is possible to write books on just one scene, or shot even, with the aim of exploring some of them.