Mise-en-scène refers to the visual arrangement and design of a scene in theatre or film, including elements like set design, actor positioning, and overall composition. It plays a role in both the visual aspects—such as storyboarding, themes, and cinematography—and the narrative direction of the story.
Every element of mise-en-scène carries subtle meanings in a film, guiding the audience’s emotional response at specific moments. This includes the setting and props, costumes, hair and makeup, facial expressions and body language, use of color and lighting, as well as how characters and objects are positioned within the frame.
SHOT SIZE
1. Extreme Wide Shot: Shows a vast area, often used at the beginning of a scene to show the setting or environment. Emphasizes scale, distance, or isolation; characters are often very small or not visible at all.
2. Wide Shot: Shows the entire subject (usually a person) from head to toe. Gives context to the character’s surroundings while still keeping the character visible.
3. Medium Shot: Frames the subject from about the waist up. Balances focus between the subject and some of the background; commonly used in dialogue scenes.
4. Medium Close Up: Frames the subject from about the chest or shoulders up. Focuses more on the character’s facial expressions while still showing some body language.
5. Close Up: Focuses tightly on a subject’s face or a specific object.Highlights emotions, thoughts, or details; draws the viewer’s attention closely.
6. Extreme Close Up: Shows an extreme detail, like an eye, a drop of sweat, or the ticking of a clock. Creates intensity or suspense; used for emotional impact or dramatic emphasis.
PREVIS & POSTVIS
Previsualization is the process of visualizing complex scenes ahead of filming. It helps directors and cinematographers plan camera angles and shot compositions in advance. Postvisualization, or postvis, takes place during postproduction, allowing rough versions of scenes to be reviewed without the cost or time needed to finalize visual effects.