Mise-en-scene
On this page I will be analysing the use of mise-en-scene within my three research films. I will define mise-en-scene and explain its reference and what it includes. I will then go on to describe the features of mise-en-scene within the style of poetic realism. I will then assess 'Ivan's Childhood' on the bases of if the film contains conventions of the style or not.
Mise-en-scene defines as everything within the frame. It includes the movement of characters, the lighting, the set design and/or locations and the costume design. Mise-en-scene generally refers to the visual environment and so can be expressed as the articulation of cinematic space, it gives spacial awareness to the audience.
Mise-en-scene within the style of poetic realism is kept to a minimal. The lighting is natural, the set design and costumes are true to the location, characters and narrative.
Mise-en-scene defines as everything within the frame. It includes the movement of characters, the lighting, the set design and/or locations and the costume design. Mise-en-scene generally refers to the visual environment and so can be expressed as the articulation of cinematic space, it gives spacial awareness to the audience.
Mise-en-scene within the style of poetic realism is kept to a minimal. The lighting is natural, the set design and costumes are true to the location, characters and narrative.
'Ivan's Childhood'
October 2012
The mise-en-scene in the film 'Ivan's Childhood' keeps the genre realism. There is only natural lighting used and with little set, there is a focus on the characters and the narrative rather then the setting. There is little movement on the behalf of the characters, it makes it very soft and clam for the audience, juxtaposing the setting that the characters are in. The film genrally conforms to the conventions of mise-en-scene within poetic realism.
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This video is an extract from the film 'Ivan's Childhood'. From 0:00 to 2:09. Tarkovsky begins with the film in a natural environment. This suggests freedom, also seeing Ivan associated with this location implies that Ivan is longing to be free. With Ivan then gliding through the space indicates to the audience that this is not a reflection of reality, but a dream or a altered memory. The image of the butterfly suggests that Ivan is trying to get to somewhere or someone. This is then reiterated with the natural lighting that pours through the gaps in the trees. It gives the impression that Ivan is trying to find something and escape.
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'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'
November 2012
In the film, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' the mise-en-scene assists in the understanding of the narrative. The manipulation of lights to highlight certain aspects of character movement that occurs. The use of lighting reminds the audience that this is not realism that that most of what the audience see are fragments of memory from the protagonist, Joel's, brain. There is a lot of character movement, again reiterating its unrealistic sense. The locations are important features in the film in a narrative sense, but also aid the audience temporally in understanding where in Joel's memories they have been placed.
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Video contains a clip from the film, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. The extract begins with the actual memory that Joel is recalling. It is clear that Joel is trying to go after Clementine as he follows her around. When the scene changes from simply being a memory, to being a new interaction between the characters, they are made equal by both of them standing facing each other with neither character more dominating. As the scene progresses, Joel's memory begins to fade. This is illustrated by the signs explaining the genre of books disappear followed slowly by the covers and titles of books and ultimately finishing with Clementine herself vanishing from that particular memory. The sense of progression that is put across to the audience portrays how his memory is deteriorating.
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'Memory'
January 2013
'Memory' is a short film by Andrei Tarkovsky, the mise-en-scene particularly projects an essence of enigma. This is because of the sequential cinematography that clearly outlines the narrative. The location is paramount to enable the comprehension of the film. It is about 'The Zone' - a forbidden area where the normal laws of physics no longer apply. During filming, natural lighting was used, but the colours of the shots and light contrast was manipulated during the editing stages.
The video of 'Memory' by Andrei Tarkovsky completely conveys an essence of destruction and decay. The mis-en-scene communicates this. The lighting is natural, but manipulated by the positioning of the camera. Some things in shots are lit more than others giving a sense that there is little hope. In this short film, the most prominent thing is the location. Understanding that this is a space known as 'the zone', it represents the total destruction and chaos that the characters have been through.
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My Film, 'Minnie'
Just like in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', I want my film to be progressive. While I want the protagonist to be wearing all white, I intend on having blood stains that increase in size as the film continues. My aim is to film my product mainly in a studio where I am able to control and manipulate the lighting. I then want this to contrast with the shots of my film that are taken outside where I will have natural lighting.