What is Mise en Scene — How Directors Like Kubrick Master the Elements of Visual Storytelling

Summary

This script delves into the art of Mise-En Scene, a fundamental concept in filmmaking that encompasses all visual elements in a scene. It explains the difference between Mise-En Scene and Montage, highlighting the importance of storytelling through a single image. The video uses 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Shining' to illustrate how directors like Stanley Kubrick use mise en scene to convey power dynamics and create unsettling atmospheres. It challenges viewers to consider the mise en scene in their own projects, emphasizing the role of preparation and collaboration in achieving cinematic visions.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The director's role involves much more than just being on set; it begins with the pre-production phase of designing, arranging, and framing each shot.
• 🎥 Mise-En Scene is the essence of filmmaking, encompassing everything that is included in a scene and how it is presented.
• 🌐 Mise-En Scene is translated from French as 'placing on stage', and it is a foundational concept in both theater and film.
• 🤔 Andre Bazin, a French film critic, categorized filmmaking into two approaches: Mise-En Scene and Montage, with the former focusing on storytelling within a single image.
• 📹 In a Mise-En Scene approach, directors use elements like wide-angle and deep focus to convey power dynamics and allow the audience to interpret the scene at their own pace.
• 🎨 Traditional definitions of Mise-En Scene include everything visible in a shot, but sound design and music are also integral to the overall scene composition.
• 🔢 Mise-En Scene can be thought of as a math problem where each element contributes to the overall meaning of a shot, similar to how numbers contribute to a sum.
• 🌿 There are two main traditions in Mise-En Scene: Naturalistic, which aims for realism and familiarity, and Theatrical, which presents exaggerated and unique worlds.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 'The Shining' serves as an example of how Mise-En Scene can be used to create unsettling and visually storytelling shots, even in a single frame.
• 👶 The mise en scene in 'The Shining' uses high key lighting, toy vehicles, and a maze-like carpet to convey a sense of entrapment and vulnerability for the character Danny.
• 🎼 Sound design and music play a crucial role in Mise-En Scene by adding contrast and enhancing the emotional impact of a scene.
• 📚 Preparation is key in filmmaking, and tools like StudioBinder can assist in breaking down scripts, creating storyboards, and sharing the director's vision with the team.

Q & A

What does the term 'Mise-En Scene' mean in the context of filmmaking?

Mise-En Scene, translated from French, means 'placing on stage'. It refers to the process of deciding what to include in a scene and where it should be placed, similar to theater. It encompasses all the elements that are visible within a frame, including set design, props, costumes, lighting, and composition.

How does Mise-En Scene differ from Montage in filmmaking?

Mise-En Scene filmmakers focus on storytelling within a single image, concentrating on the arrangement and framing of each shot to convey meaning. In contrast, Montage filmmakers create meaning from the combination and juxtaposition of multiple images, often through editing.

What is the role of sound design and music in Mise-En Scene?

Sound design and music are crucial pieces of the overall Mise-En Scene, as they can significantly influence the mood and emotional impact of a scene. They work in tandem with visual elements to create a cohesive and immersive experience for the audience.

Can you provide an example of Mise-En Scene from the film 'Citizen Kane'?

In 'Citizen Kane', the infamous shot where Kane argues about the property's value uses a wide-angle and deep focus lens. This allows the audience to see each character and their performance, with the blocking, staging, and composition revealing power dynamics within the scene.

What are the two basic traditions in Mise-En Scene?

The two basic traditions in Mise-En Scene are Naturalistic and Theatrical. Naturalistic Mise-En Scene aims for a realistic and familiar world, while Theatrical Mise-En Scene presents exaggerated and unusual worlds to draw attention and create a distinct atmosphere.

How does the film 'The Shining' utilize Mise-En Scene to create an unsettling atmosphere?

In 'The Shining', director Stanley Kubrick uses Mise-En Scene elements such as production design with maze-like patterns, contrasting sound design, high-key lighting, and strategic blocking to create a sense of isolation and vulnerability for the character of Danny, contributing to an unsettling atmosphere.

What is the significance of the toy vehicles and carpet in the scene from 'The Shining'?

The toy vehicles and carpet in 'The Shining' feature a maze pattern, which is a recurring theme in the film. This design element symbolizes the entrapment and confusion experienced by the character of Danny, enhancing the sense of unease in the scene.

How does the high angle and center framing of Danny in 'The Shining' contribute to the mise en scene?

The high angle and center framing of Danny in 'The Shining' make him appear small and vulnerable, emphasizing his isolation. This compositional choice, combined with the deep depth of field and slow zoom out, adds to the overall unsettling mise en scene.

What is the challenge presented at the end of the script for filmmakers?

The challenge for filmmakers is to take a single frame from their next project and consider the entire mise en scene. They should think about what they see, how it contributes to the perfect shot for that moment, and how each element will play its part in the overall storytelling.

Why is preparation important in filmmaking according to the script?

Preparation is crucial in filmmaking because it involves breaking down the script into its elements, generating storyboards to visualize the scenes, and communicating the director's vision with department heads. This process ensures that the mise en scene is thoughtfully designed and effectively conveys the intended narrative.