mise-en-scène
Scene's visual design
Mise-en-scène is the arrangement of everything visible in a film frame or theater stage—sets, props, lighting, costumes, and actor positioning.
The term comes from French theater, meaning "placing on stage." In film criticism, it distinguishes visual storytelling elements from editing and camera movement: The director's mise-en-scène creates an oppressive atmosphere.
By extension, any carefully arranged setting or tableau: the elaborate mise-en-scène of a state dinner.
Position in space
- set-designCreating theatrical environments
- decorRoom's visual arrangement
- backdropRear stage scenery
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
locale · period · architecture · interior · exterior · dressing · furnishings · landscape
Impeding forward progress
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- movementChange in position
- entrancesOpenings for access, or beguiles
exits · tableau · grouping · levels · gesture · business · crosses · picturization
Art of illuminating spaces
- cinematographerPerson capturing screen visuals
- frameSupporting outer structure
- shotQuick liquor serving
- close-upNear-range photograph
chiaroscuro · high-key · low-key · color-grading · shadow · silhouette · backlighting · exposure
Structural or contextual shaping
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
perspective · depth · foreground · background · middleground · proportion · scale · juxtaposition
Mood of surroundings
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- toneQuality of sound
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- vibeIntuitive sense of mood
feeling · ethos · air · climate · spirit · character · texture · tension
Qualities or owned assets
- set-piecesPreplanned dramatic sequences
- costumesClothes for assuming roles
- wardrobeGarment storage furniture
- furnitureMovable room objects
objects · artifacts · accessories · vehicles · weapons
location
Position in space
- set-designCreating theatrical environments
- decorRoom's visual arrangement
- backdropRear stage scenery
environment · locale · period · architecture · interior · exterior · dressing · furnishings · landscape · cityscape
blocking
Impeding forward progress
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- movementChange in position
entrances · exits · tableau · grouping · levels · gesture · business · crosses · picturization
lighting
Art of illuminating spaces
- cinematographerPerson capturing screen visuals
- frameSupporting outer structure
- shotQuick liquor serving
close-up · chiaroscuro · high-key · low-key · color-grading · shadow · silhouette · backlighting · exposure
framing
Structural or contextual shaping
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
asymmetry · perspective · depth · foreground · background · middleground · proportion · scale · juxtaposition · contrast
ambiance
Mood of surroundings
vibe · feeling · ethos · air · climate · spirit · character · texture · tension · nostalgia
properties
Qualities or owned assets
- set-piecesPreplanned dramatic sequences
- costumesClothes for assuming roles
- wardrobeGarment storage furniture
furniture · objects · artifacts · accessories · vehicles · weapons
mise-en-scèneediting
Refining content for clarity
montage · cutting · post-production · film editing · cross-cutting
mise-en-scènefound footage
Genre mimicking discovered recordings
cinéma vérité · unstaged · improvisation · naturalism · raw footage
mise-en-scènedialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
screenplay · script · libretto · voiceover · spoken word