Research into mise-en-scene - Miss Georgiou

 

Mise-en-scene (French for "placing on stage") is the physical environment of a frame. It has 5 elements: settings and iconography; costume, hair and make-up; facial expressions and body language; lighting and colour; and positioning of characters/objects within the frame. This essay will explore the mise-en-scene of the above linked clip of 'Scream 4'.

There is a domestic setting in the opening scene of this film. This homely setting provides a sense of safety and normality. However, if the audience has seen the first 3 Scream films, this is not the case, as the first murdered victim always answers a strange call at their home. It is conventional of a thriller to show the victim in a seemingly safe place, and it is also conventional for film series to have common themes/events. At 0:10, there is a house-phone on a table, ringing (the ringing is also heard over the title for "dimension films"). This, as previously mentioned, is an important part of the plot, as indicated by other Scream films. The masked killer always calls its victims before appearing and murdering them. Again, it is conventional of a thriller film (series, especially) to have a specific way of warning the audience of a killer.

At 0:21, when the characters answers the phone, we see that she is wearing a bright yellow shirt. This symbolizes her happiness and innocence, representing her as an easy victim/target. It is conventional of a thriller to have their victims wear bright, pure colours such as white and yellow, as this suggests their vulnerability, making it clear to the audience that they are a potential victim. Furthermore, at 0:27, we see that this character is wearing everyday, ordinary make-up, in addition to an everyday hairstyle. This provides a sense of normality and makes the character relatable to the audience. It is conventional of thrillers to choose ordinary females as victims.

 At 1:07, the two female characters are having a casual conversation about a "facebook stalker". The female character in this frame has relaxed and playful facial expressions and body language, to suggest that she is at ease and, at that time, has a nonchalant attitude. This is also true for the other female character. However, as it is conventional of thrillers to slowly build suspense by making scenes seemingly uneventful and harmless, the audience can expect that something is going to happen to either or both of these girls.

At 3:14, the first female character that is seen in the film has answered a mysterious knock at the door, but seen no one in the street, and is looking outside for the person who did it. She is positioned right in the centre of the frame. This is to focus on her and her importance to the film/scene. The fact that she is standing in the doorway is also significant, as this is where she gets stabbed about 30 seconds later. Thriller films always give away hints about future events of the film (foreshadowing) in ways such as this, as it prepares the audience and makes them feel fear for the character(s).

 At 3:18, low key lighting is used in the frame. It is night outside, so the only light sources are the porch lights. This creates a late-night, eerie feel, adding to the tense atmosphere created by the mysterious knocking on the door. Sharp, contrasting shadows create a suspenseful atmosphere. It is conventional for a thriller to use low key lighting to build tension and suspense. Also in the frame, we see, among the monochromatic house/sky, the (future) victim's yellow shirt. This use of colour contrast makes the character stand out so the audience focuses mostly on them. It also, as previously mentioned, highlights the character as being an innocent victim. Films of the thriller genre typically use bright, pure colours to represent the vulnerability of the victims.

Overall, in this clip, components of mise-en-scene are used to create suspense and foreshadow certain events that will come in the film. When planning my own thriller, I will take into consideration all the conventions (for example, low key lighting) of thriller films, shown here and in any further research I do. I plan on using light colours for the victims' clothes in my thriller clip, as it is a good way to show that they will in fact be victims.