Depth of field is the the range of distance within which all objects will be in sharp focus in a scene.

Shallow focus shots have a part of the shot that is in focus but the rest of the shot is not in focus. Whereas a deep focus shot is where every part of the shot is in focus.

Depth of field has been used in this scene from the film Hunt For the Wilderpeople to show off the natural environment and setting of the film fully, using a deep focus shot.

The pan is when the camera moves horizontally from a fixed position. It is used in the film The Grand Budapest Hotel multiple times. It adds comedy to the film as well as a faster pace and more engaging action to a scene.

The dolly zoom is used to show a character having an intense internal experienced. It is used in the animated film Ratatouille to show the intense emotions eating the ratatouille is causing the critic, as he remembers the taste from his childhood and is having a flashback.

The track is used to immerse the audience in a scene. It is used in the film Shaun Of The Dead to let the audience experience the protagonist, Shaun’s, average day, as if the audience are experiencing it themselves. It also adds to the comedy, as a later scene in the film using the tracking shot, which mirrors the original scene exactly, shows how unobservant he is, as the audience would notice the zombies whilst being put in his shoes, whilst Shaun does not.

This low angle shot from The Avengers presents the antagonist of the film, Loki, to be a powerful villain. This would make the audience feel like he is a serious threat to the protagonists. The low angle shot also displays how the character sees himself as more powerful and important than humans, and enjoys the feeling of being powerful, as in the next shot, humans are kneeling below him.

This high angle shot from the film Dune, uses the high angle to present the character as powerless and vulnerable against the Sandworm. This contrasts the low angle shots also used in the scene to display the extreme power of the sandworm.

This birds eye view shot from the film Knives Out emphasizes the emotions of the character Marta, as she had just gone through a lot and now it is all over, so she can relax. The high angle shot is often used for displaying crime scenes, so this shot mirrors a crime scene, especially since she is laying down with a knife. This might suggest what could have been if the knife was not fake.

The establishing shot is used in the Lord of the Rings. It establishes the setting of this part of the fantasy world to the audience. By showing the whole setting, it allows the audience to get a feeling for how dangerous and frightening it is, as you can see the giant scale of it.

In Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, this close up shot is used to emphasize the strong emotions Luke was feeling, making the audience feel bad for him. The shock on his face also may have reflected the audiences own shock of the revelation.

This extreme close up shot is used in Blade Runner (1982). It is used to allow the audience to take in the sci-fi setting and see the eye’s overwhelmed feeling because of it. It also may be used to set up the eye symbolism throughout the film.

The extra-diegetic gaze is used in the film Deadpool and Deadpool 2.

The extra-diegetic gaze is used to make the film Deadpool stand out from other superhero films, as they usually take themselves very seriously. This breaking of the 4th wall also adds to the comedic tone of the film, which also makes the film individual, as superhero films of the time were usually very serious.

An example of the intra-diegetic gaze is in film is in Titanic, when Rose and Jack are dancing.

It is used to help the audience connect with the characters, allowing them to feel the romance and joy of the scene as if they were experiencing it for themselves. Since they have connected with the characters, this makes the ending even more heartbreaking for the audience.

The diegetic gaze is used in many films to express what the director wants them to see. This is used in films such as The Shining.

The use of the extreme close up in this scene. Focuses the audience’s gaze on the fact that Jack has become insane. This may create fear for the audience, as they don’t know what he will do next.

Cinematography: the art of camerawork in filmmaking.

Cinematographer: a person who oversees or directs camerawork in filmmaking, especially one who operates the camera.

Critical score: 7/10

Memorable Scene: The scene where Roy has his monologue about crying in the rain, because it presents Roy as more than a one dimensional villain and that replicants can express emotions and die just like humans.

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.

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.