To prepare a motion-picture film video by deleting, arranging, and splicing scenes. Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate and complete work.

Critical score: 9/10

A memorable scene is when Jack is staring at Wendy and Danny outside the window and you can see in his eyes he is going insane.

Cameraman: George

Joker: Aaron

Social worker: Noah

Diegetic – Joker (2019)

The impact this scene from the Joker has on the audience is very powerful. The close up on Arthur in the mirror roughly manipulating his smile makes the audience feel uncomfortable and tense, just as Arthur is feeling. The director emphasized this by blurring everything in the foreground and background directing us to only look at Arthurs actions.

Intra-diegetic – The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project uses “found footage” which allows the audience to feel as if they are really there with the characters behind the camera, they are part of the story. The impact this technique has on the audience can truly be terrifying especially when used in a horror film. The camera work makes the audience feel tense and engrossed in the action on screen.

Extra-diegetic – American Psycho (2000)

In this scene in American Psycho, Patrick is staring straight into the camera and into the audiences eyes while talking about what he is thinking through a voice over, this is creating a relationship between him and the audience, which is quite jarring when watching the film.

The art and technology of motion-picture photography. Involving techniques for the general composition of a scene such as the lighting of the set or location, the choice of cameras, lenses, filters, and film stock, the camera angle and movements, and the integration of any special effects.

Cinematographer: The person responsible for the recording of a film that focuses on the visual aesthetic of a film.

Critical score: 7/10

A memorable scene in the film for me was the ‘Tears in the Rain’ monologue by the replicant Roy.

The initial element of mise en scene I picked up on was costume and setting. One of the first scenes we see is Detective Somerset (played by Morgan Freeman) getting dressed for work in his house. From that scene alone we can establish that Somerset is a basic man, living alone and is very tidy and clean. He puts on a finely ironed shirt, smart pair of trousers, a tie, a trench coat, and a hat. This establishes his character right from the start as the audience can see from his clothing and house that he is an old-fashioned detective and highly professional. 

On the contrary, we next see young Detective Mills (played by Brad Pitt) getting ready in his own home. His house is messy with cluttered boxes. He is seen wearing a wrinkled white shirt, he chucks a tie around his neck and grabs a black leather jacket. The contrast between the two detectives presents to the audience the dynamic that will soon occur between Mills and Somerset. Mills is clearly more reckless than Somerset and the leather jacket is also a sign that he is more ‘street smart’ while Somerset prefers to adopt a more practical approach. This initial inference can be made based on the costume and setting alone, due to the clever use of mise en scene.

Another scene in Se7en that uses mise en scene effectively is when both detectives are chasing John Doe (the killer) through his apartment building. The scene uses low lighting with high contrast which instinctively makes the audience feel tension, the killer could be anywhere in the shadows. As for the killer himself, John Doe also chooses practical clothing. He wears a long, dark jacket with a wide brimmed hat that conceals his face. This implies that, like Somerset, he is a practical man, and it creates a sense of mystery in the character.

As the scene progresses the camera angles are shot from various angles and heights. Shots of John Doe are often filmed from a distance, implying the Detectives are barely able to keep up with him and he is always ahead of them.  

In film production, mise en scene refers to all of the elements that make up a single shot/frame. This can include the actors, setting, props, costumes, and lighting. It directly translates ‘to put on the stage’.

Chaotic vs Anally tidy mise en scene examples

The formula for a box office hit consists of a popular/large production company that release the film. Most people tend to watch Disney films, for example, for the sake of being a Disney film.

Another popular trend within hit films are them being part of a franchise, being a re-make, or being a sequel. If you look at the top grossing films of 2022, 2021 and 2019 you can see that there are very few “original” films released.