Post on Mise-en-scene consideration

It is incredibly important that we consider the various elements of Mise-en-scene when making our opening, as this is how the majority of the representation of the various characters and themes will be formed. Whilst we cannot be expected to consider it as much as it would be in an ideological TV drama such as the ones which we study for the G322 exam, there are a variety of factors which we need to include in order to represent out characters in a certain way.

Costumes: The costumes are how the instant contrast between the characters is going to be created. For example, one girl is going to be wearing dark, black colours to express her withdrawal and shyness, as opposed to the bright clothing of the other girl. Even little things like this add a huge amount to our film, as they allow the audience to instantly place the girls into a certain archetype.

Lighting: The lighting needs to be lighter when the bully is the focus of the camera, and then darker and more low key when the girl who is being bullied is on the camera. This is because high key lighting connotes happy thoughts, and the bully is obviously going to be more happy than the girl who is being bullied.

Props: The props need to. Be used mainly to show the wealth of the girls - despite the girl who is being bullied clearly being well off, she still seems to be unhappy with life because of the breakdown of her friendship. This could be interpreted as making points such as money cannot but happiness, and it is representational points like this which are key to include in the opening.

Considering these various aspects of Mise-en-scene have shown us the different ways in which we can represent things within the opening, as just a slight change in some of them could present the. Harassers and ideologies as being completely different.

By George Martin and Jack Jolly