A film I think demonstrates excellent use of mise-en-scene is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Throughout the entire Harry Potter franchise small details such as large numbers of realistic props adds tiny details which allows the audience to become immersed in the fantasy world as it is more believable that people actually live there. This is shown through scenes such as ones in the great hall, where the large quantities of prop food and background actors help paint a realistic picture of a real boarding school. The realism and verisimilitude is also added upon by the costume, as everyone’s uniform is worn a little differently to create the impression they are all individual people.

Additionally, the lighting is an aspect of mise-en-scene that enhances the film. For example, the warm orange colours of scenes, such as the great hall being lit by candles, allow the audience to feel comforted, warm and safe. This contrasts the unsafe and uneasy tone of the dementor scenes. The dark lighting during these scenes create an ominous tone and sense of dread through the cool shadows. This is especially prevalent in their introduction scene, due to its train setting, which in previous Harry Potter films were a bright, safe and comforting place. This means to shock the audience. The dementors’ chilling presence is enhanced through how they cause the props, as well as the cheerful atmosphere to freeze. These aspects of mise en scene put together present dementors to the audience as frightening creatures, which can take all light, warmth and happiness from a scene, hinting how the dementors can physically take the happiness away from humans. 

As well as realism, costume adds to the audience perception of the characters’ personality. This is used with most characters in the film but I think is best shown through the character of Sirius Black, who was originally presented to the audience as a crazed prisoner and a dangerous man. This is done through his dark and ragged costume, as well as his manic gesture codes and expressions. The use of this helps deceive the audience of his nature, so when it is revealed he is not who he has been presented to be it is a shock to the audience. I also think spacing is used well in the film, especially in this scene. This is because it shows how Sirius and Harry are distracted by one another and not focusing on the character of Peter Pettigrew, far behind them and ready to escape.

The mise-en-scene also influenced the film through symbols and iconography, such as the repeated symbol of the dog that hints at the way which Sirius Black is hiding and evading capture. My personal favourite is the iconography of clocks, mainly shown through the clock tower, which, as well as shows time passing, foreshadows the time travel that will happen in the second part of the film. The Whomping Willow tree is also a symbolic presence throughout the film, its primary purpose showing time passing and seasons changing during the school year, as well as showing off another element of the fantasy world’s magic. However, it additionally foreshadows the significance of the tree later on in the film without being too obvious about it, as well as showing its danger.

Parasite  

To begin parasites director Bong Joon-Ho uses a combination of the mise en scene techniques to shape the story extremely well. Staircases play an important role in signifying promotion and demotion in Korea. Director Bong displays the physical and metaphorical distance and descent between the classes and homes by repeating shots of the Kim’s descending into their home below ground and the Park family ascending into their home up a set of modern looking stairs, this is a use of set design and visual architecture. 

 In the making of the movie Bong aimed to use the sun as a metaphor for the two family’s. For example High key lighting is used when focusing on the Park family through natural light of the sun and Low key lighting Is used when focusing on the Kim family, this reflects the contrast in wealth and happiness of each family, The use of lighting helps convey the tone of the film. 

 Bong also portrays this contrast through colour scheme, the natural green tones of the Park family’s house and garden displays their freedom and wealth. On the other hand the dull tones of the Kim family’s home represents the devastating poverty in Seoul, this is called colour theory.  

 Director Bong-Ho planned every detail of the film extremely wisely using storyboards to plan the composition and lay out of each shot. Each home was designed with windows, For the poor family a small window with a view of a drunken man in the slums. Whereas for the rich family a larger, luxurious and expansive window looking out over a beautiful lawn.   

Finally Bong uses physical elements such as windows, background furniture or textures on glass to divide the families in each frame therefore further conveying the tone of segregation of classes.  

Being reflective is useful because you can look back on what you have seen and interpret different things and improve. 

Being knowledgeable is useful because you can use that knowledge to understand different elements of the film. 

Being a thinker is important because you need to be able to theorize and create ideas. 

Being an inquirer is good because it shows your interest and allows you to understand better and be able to question and challenge ideas. 

Being balanced is good because it allows you to look at all aspects of a film. 

Being a risk-taker is important so that you can create new things. 

Communicator-be able to show ideas easily/ put out a message. 

Principled-  

Caring- to think through your ideas and not offend anyone. 

Open-minded- be open to all ideas and consider more. 

Art film	Mainstream film	Historically significant film
The shape of water Alphaville The wizard of oz	The breakfast club A Bugs Life Love Simon	The wizard of oz Battleship Potemkin Seven Samurai Once upon a time in the west Alphaville Fitzcarraldo

Mise-en-scene is directly translated from French as “placed on the scene”. It is everything the audience can see in the frame, such as actors, costumes, props, setting and lighting.

Art film Fitzcarraldo Alphaville

Historically significant film Battleship Potemkin Seven Samurai The wizard of oz Once upon a time in the west

Mainstream film Bugs life The shape of water

The formula for box office hits I found from the highest grossing films of 2022 so far. There was a pattern of successful films that were part of a franchise of films, such as the MCU, which already have people prepared to watch the film. Additionally, every single film was created by a large production company, since they have a larger reach and more budget to advertise.

1. Knowledgeable

This links to film as you need to be knowledgeable about everything that it takes to create film.

2. Open-minded

You need to be open-minded to enjoy other types of film and to respect the types of genres and different cultures that films demonstrate from across the world

3. Caring

You need to be caring about the effort that the creator put into the film even if you don’t personally enjoy it.

4. Thinkers

You need to think about the types of techniques and reasons that the creators of the film use different techniques for the reason they added certain elements

5. Communicators

It requires communication with cast and crew to create one cohesive narrative that others are willing to watch.

6. Inquirers

This is important to film as you need to inquire how different things were made and created and how well they are utilized.

7. Principled

In many aspects of film, you may come across political messages or meanings. Stick to your principles and know what is right.

8. Reflective

Being able to comment on a piece of work you have written or produced or offering constructive criticism to benefit others.

9. Risk-Takers

Especially in the producing aspect of this course, risks will need to be taken to enhance a media product and keep it original.

In film production, mise en scene refers to all of the elements that comprise a single shot; that includes, but is not limited to, the actors, setting, props, costumes, and lighting.

6 of the top 10 grossing movies of 2022 were action movies.  As well as many of these movies were from big name brands so more people are likely to see them as they like the brand.