Research into Mise En Scene - Miss Georgiou

Mise-En-Scene

Mise-En-Scene means simply, everything that is in the scene. 
This consists of five main elements: 

- Setting and Iconography

- Costume, Hair and Makeup

- Facial Expressions and Body Language

- Lighting and Colour

- Positioning of Characters/Objects 

It is used in all films, especially thrillers to emphasise certain parts within a scene. Without Mise-En-Scene, a film would not be a success as a film is made up of all the elements included in Mise-En-Scene. Characteristics of each element can help to create different intended effects or atmospheres in a film and so researching into Mise-En-Scene

I am going to be analysing a clip from 'Shutter Island' as I found it had a high use of good examples of mise-en-scene. 

Setting and Iconography
The setting is in a mental prison which is shown to be very enclosed and creates a sense of entrapment. This instantly creates also a sense of fear from the way that a mental prison contains people that regular, common people may not be familiar with and therefore could leave the audience feeling on edge. Moreover, the sense of entrapment makes the audience build a relationship between themselves and the characters as they feel sympathetic towards them from the restricted setting in which they are in. This is conventional to the thriller genre as having characters trapped keeps the audience on edge and interested as to how they will escape. The fact it's not just a normal prison, makes the audience feel weary of certain characters for they know what they are and can be capable of. 
The main use of iconography in this clip is the lighted matchstick in which is being held (as shown in screenshot). This creates a sense of foreboding from the knowledge of the potential dangers that a lit matchstick could cause. Having this as the only main source of light here, emphasises it and draws the audience's attention directly to it. The audience feel on edge as they do not know what this use of iconography is going to be used for. Therefore, this makes them also feel worried for the characters but also sympathetic as the match could suggest lack of resources, for example, a torch could be more appropriate. It's conventional to the thriller genre as it creates that suspense in which a thriller is expected to create.

Costume, Hair and Makeup
Use of costume in this scene is minimal, but plain and bland if any. This reflects the environment they're in and their simple way of having to follow certain ways of life. The t-shirt being white connotes hope, so, maybe could reflect their hope in escaping and seeking freedom. This makes the audience feel sympathetic towards the character for the position and situation in which they are in. Having this type of costume is also conventional to the thriller genre as it is parallel to the environment and setting in which they are in and appropriate for the narrative.
Hair and Makeup isn't too emphasised in this clip - however, it doesn't give the impression of being well-looked after. One character in particular has dirt on his face (as shown in second screenshot), which demonstrates the bad conditions in which he is living in. This shows the lack of hygiene and normality of living making the audience feel sorry for this particular character. As for Leo in the first screenshot, he is shown to be quite sweaty and made to look tired. This mirrors the stress he could be feeling due to the situation he is in and so the audience emphasises with him and worries for how he is coping. This is conventional to the thriller genre as many emotions have to be portrayed to the audience. With the use of makeup in-particular, it helps illustrate the emotions and feelings intended for a particular character to feel.

Facial Expressions and Body Language
As shown in screenshot, the facial expressions throughout this clip get aggressive especially towards the middle/ end. This shows that they are mentally unstable but also how expressive they are as an individual character with a clear portrayal of a true sense of their personality. Audiences feel weary of these characters for their (on the verge of) violent behaviour could be seen as a warning. However, with this, it allows the audience to get to know the characters slightly more, with more knowing of their sensitive subjects for example that may trigger the aggression. These facial expressions and use of body language are conventional to the thriller genre as there is normally at least one distressed, mysterious character in a thriller and so this identification is shown through expressions and body language.




Lighting and Colour
In the clip the lighting is all low-key throughout, with the lighted match being the key light. Though, in part of the clip, the lighting significantly darkens as shown in the screenshot where we can see back light from the window - however, still very faint. This could represent the loss in hope for the characters especially the imprisoned one. It creates a tense atmosphere as well as creating that element of shock and surprise as it is not expected. Furthermore, it makes the audience feel on edge as they cannot see clearly what is lurking in the darkness and so could further the surprise and shock element that is conventional in a thriller film. 
The colour is very dull with tones of brown which reflect off of the surroundings but otherwise the setting makes the colour very restricted. There is no visible sight of outside of the prison and so no other colours enter this scene. The lack of resplendent colour shown in the clip is conventional to the thriller genre as the general mood and atmosphere of a thriller is mainly tense and dark. The lack of bright colour helps portray this atmosphere as dark colours connotes fear, danger and death/

Positioning of Characters/Objects 
The main characters in this clip, (the protagonist and other character) are positioned fairly close together as they are talking between an iron, barred wall. This allows the audience to realise that there is some sort of relationship between these characters and that they are most likely comfortable in each others presence. If the characters where talking while standing further away from each-other, it wouldn't have the same effect as it wouldn't be as personal and gripping. Audiences are aware of the gaps between the wall and so can expect some violent physical contact when the aggression kicks in. As shown to the right of the screenshot, there is a woman. She approaches the centered characters and creates a sense of foreboding, as though the danger is approaching them. Although, we only get this impression from her slow and plain body language but because of her brightly coloured attire, she could be seen as a positive influence to the scene. There are not really any objects in this clip and so not much to comment on them. \having the characters positioned so closely in this way creates a more direct effect and creates more of a tense and suspenseful atmosphere as the characters are capable of physical violent, however, the audience re unknowing to if they will commit any sort of violence at all.

In summary, this research will assist me with planning and creating my production as it has made me think of many ideas in which I could include. It has allowed me to explore different ways in which Mise-En-Scene can be used and analyse each element also. From this research it has outlined elements that I think work well in a particular way and maybe others that I don't feel work in another way. I like the use of lighting in this clip that I have analysed and therefore will have low-key lighting included in my own opening thriller sequence as it creates tension and suspense throughout from the lack of view of the scene. I also like the setting and use of iconography and have discovered that these elements hold a major role in Mise-En-Scene and further a major role within a thriller film. The setting is vital in order to compliment the narrative and keep the audience feeling on edge and sympathetic towards the characters and also iconography such as violent ones for example, lit match (as show in this particular clip) or a knife, shock is created which is an element which contributes to the level of conventionality to the thriller genre. Analysing all of the elements of Mise-En-Scene and how they are used in this clip in-particular, allows me to feel confident in using Mise-En-Scene in my thriller sequence whilst staying conventional to the thriller genre.