From my understanding mise en scene is the combination of all the aspects of a film that make up each shot. All the thought and time that went into each moment and aspect of the film, from costume to the lighting. All aspects of a film must be thought about with each shot, because all of them could have a second meaning that would push the story’s narrative more. 

I’ve selected this moment from the Joker because it is a good example of the mise en  

scene. I think this is because it has a realistic set design of a sound stage that is used on a tv show set. This medium shot encompasses Aurther’s desire to be seen as a comic, and later revealed, just to be seen at all especially by Murray. The shot is an almost point of view shot, but from a spectator. Aspects of this set could have been made for the movie, but I doubt that all of it was, i feel that the parts that specifically align with the Murray show where probably made for the movie, while the actual stage would have already been made for other talk shows. The composition of the shot brings attention to Aurther and Murray, while still showing the camera/film crew in the background, though the audience isn’t  supposed to pay them much mind, as they have been blurred.   

I feel the composition of this shot is very balanced, with Aurther in the middle and the alleyway on each side.  It is clear that this is a real alleyway and not one constructed for the film, but the props and rubbish that are on the sides probably were placed there by the crew. The way that the sign is laid out broken on the floor could be read as a reflection for Aurther’s current mental state. The lighting is also slightly low-key and almost dirty looking, again to highlight the state Aurther is in, compared to a couple moments before when he is working, where it is much brighter. 

I feel that the lighting in this scene is very strong, because it changes depending on where you are looking on the screen. Toward the staircase you have more low-key lighting, which lets the audience know where to look, making them focus on Aurther. Whereas the single florescent bar and the dim light from the window that are lighting Aurther are really standing out.  Having Aurther be the only thing that is lit makes the audience know to look at him. While bright lights can often be associated with happiness or joy, here the bright florescence is more associated with hospitals and institutions of a similar sense. I also feel it important to mention that the camera angle that this is shot from could be a representation of Aurther’s spiraling mental health at this point, as he has just finished running down spiral stairs and finding out he is adopted, which could be considered as the catalyst for the rest of the movie.  

The costuming for Aurther’s “Joker” persona is a very important aspect of the film. Most people who would have gone to see this movie would be expecting makeup like this on him for the whole movie because he is based off the Joker character from Batman.  having this makeup be foreshadowed by the clown masks that begin to be worn by the people protesting because of Aurther’s murders is a very smart move. The makeup itself is a very classical clown look, something people will automatically know is meant to be a clown. As for the costume, I feel that having him dressed in bright contrasting colours was a choice made to have his actions happen after being even more surprising. This also could be so that the fictional audience of the Murray show would be more surprised because of his almost jolly look. The bright colours contrast with his dark actions and mind. 

The use of space and lighting in this shot is very effective. The way that the officers stand up and Aurther sits down can wordlessly portray the power difference between them, their presence making Aurther feel smaller, or at least he is portraying that to them. BY having there be a lot of space between them, it creates a sort of “us vs them” mentality that Aurther is setting up by this point in the movie. By this point, Aurther has already started to think that the whole of society is against him, so having this very visible space between them shows that. The lighting in this scene is again reminiscent of that same florescent hospital lighting. By having the officers in almost complete darkness, shows the audience that from Aurther’s perspective, they are the enemy. While Aurther, has some light behind him, showing that he truly believes he’s done a good thing. 

I feel the use of this film’s aspect ratio is done very well here. By having a slightly taller screen, you are able to take in the beauty of the theatre that they are in. But along with that, with the screen not being too thin, you are able to see the slight audience reactions from the people either side of Aurther. Aurther being in the center could be a slight foreshadow to how Aurther is at the center of all the chaos and destruction that will happen and mostly affect the people who are watching this film. In this show, the viewer is able to almost get into the mind of Aurther, by feeling how invisible he must feel because he was able to just grab a uniform and come into this screening. 

 I feel that the use of space in this shot is very telling of Aurther’s mental state. The way he is  off center could be showing how mentally he is declining. As well at this, having the camera slightly blur out the background, it still makes sure the viewers eyes are drawn to Aurther and not the things in the background. 

Joker. Directed by Todd Phillips 2019.  

I have chosen this image because of the creative usage of colour grading. This scene is timestamped at one of the most important points of the film, this is after the joker kills 3 Wall Street traders and takes off to hide. In this scene there is a significance to the colours reflecting against the wall. The two main colours are yellow and blue. Most commonly the references that come with yellow are either “happiness and sunshine” or deceit and cowardice. We commonly see yellow in the film when Arthur is by himself or feels comfortable with himself. Whereas blue represents the society around him. In this scene we see Arthur transforming in and out of these two perspectives, shown through interpretive dance.  

I have decided to use this scene to represent the use of makeup in this scene. In This film we don’t see a spectacle of special effects. There are small moments in the film that use makeup and special effects to its advantage, doing this pulls the audience in with small but extremely violent and realistic makeup looks and effects.  

I have decided to use this scene to represent the usage of composition. In this scene there are two characters (Arthur Fleck and Hoyt Vaughn) the placement of both characters is very strategical as to keep the audience’s eye on all aspects of the scene. There is a triangle created with Arthur, Hoyt, and the small clown figurine at the bottom of the desk. Hoyt is placed at a lower angle compared to Arthur which gives the audience the impression that Arthur is a looming figure, a personification of the criminality in Gotham.  

I have chosen to use this clip to represent verisimilitude in this film. In this scene we see Arthur shoot Murray point-blank in the head. This is a favourable example of verisimilitude, as we see the bullet penetrate Murray’s head on screen. If this were an off-screen death the audience would have a harder time believing Arthur’s insanity. An on-screen death will always shock the audience.  

I have picked this scene to represent Lowkey Lighting. In this clip we can see Arthur in his “alter ego” The Joker. Arthur is just after killing a man in his apartment and has succumb to his illness. The use of Lowkey lighting in this scene foreshadows oncoming terror, (which does come in the next few minutes) The use of lowkey lighting gives the audience a sense of fear.  

This scene is used to represent location filming. This specific scene was filmed at the West 167th Street Step Stairs in the Bronx. Many viewers from New York City or anyone that has knowledge on NYC will recognise these stairs. Location filming is important as using notable locations such as NYC (which Gotham was based on) gives a more authentic feel to the film  

This scene is used to represent sound-stages. Todd Philips was creative in his use of sound in this film. For a sequence in which Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is beaten up by three Wall Street suits on a subway car, the sound gets more sinister as the scene progresses. It was building the scene, starting at a normal atmosphere and then amping it up as the torment increased on Arthur. In a way the usage of sound in this film is a separate character itself, almost representing the chaos that is in Arthurs’s head.  

Joker first response  

SCORE OUT OF 10	MEMORABLE SCENE	FILM RESPONSE
6/10	When the joker is in the public bathroom doing an unsettling dance. In this scene when the joker is dancing the camera follows his body movements very fluidly making you feel a part of the scene	For the most part I enjoyed this film. Visually it was entertaining, but it was a complete remake of the king of comedy (Scorsese, 1982) even down to Robert de Niro being in it. It follows the exact same story line. Also, very reminiscent of taxi driver (Scorsese, 1976) with the motifs of how loneliness and isolation will lead people to do crazy things like kill a talk show host or politician. The cinematography was beautiful, it captured the grittiness of 80s Newyork perfectly.

(Todd Phillips, 2019)

Mise en Scene element: Props. 

I chose this one because everything that is on Joker’s bedside table really represents his character- the gun could potentially be seen as foreshadowing or a hint of his madness. There are also cigarettes and a lighter which are precisely placed so that he can grab them at any time, portraying maybe his addiction. Finally, the newspaper on the floor is extremely significant as it is a silent way for the audience to understand what is going on within the world that this film takes place in (verisimilitude). It drives the narrative. It also raises tension, and the words “A new movement” are an indication of an underlying theme that the movie will address. Overall, it just makes the character feel more real and it connects the audience to the film much more. 

Mise en scene element= Composition 

This is the second screenshot, and it shows a lot of elements of mise en scene. Firstly, there is set design. In the alleyway there are plenty of trash bags that can be seen, just thrown carelessly, and this gives the impression that the city is dirty and filthy-this helps build the world that the film takes place in. Then there is also the poster which has graffiti painted on it that says “Resist” in an ominous black pen- this further emphasizes the feelings of the rioters in Gotham and adds to the story of the film. Finally, a wide-shot angle is used which makes the viewers feel like they are watching from afar as something very bad is about to happen, and the lighting is dim and dark, making it feel creepy.  

Mise en scene element= Cinematography 

In this shot, they are using a medium close-up shot (MCU). This shot is used to clearly show the emotions on Joker’s face in this specific scene while he hauntingly fakes a big smile while feeling the complete opposite. It focuses the viewer completely on the character as he is the central figure and helps them fully immerse themselves and understand.  

Mise en scene element= Makeup and costume 

The colours of Joker’s costume and makeup are stark and very vivid which add a lot of depth and visual impact- every time Joker is on the screen the audience is attracted to the bright colours so it’s very clear that Arthur is the focus. Also the makeup on Joker’s face can be seen as a metaphor for his hatred for society and how out of place he feels, like a joke, which clowns are seen as.  

In comparison, at the beginning of the film the makeup and costume for Joker’s clown persona is much less serious looking and a bit goofy. The red nose can be seen as childlike, and the wig is misplaced and cheap looking- this can be seen as a reflection of Arthur’s feelings towards this terrible job. As we watch the costume develop throughout the movie, it tells the audience the story of Joker’s downfall spiral into the murderous character he becomes. It’s a subtle way of storytelling but it works very well.  

Joker, Todd Phillips released 2019 

Mise-en-scene is everything that you see in the frame of the camera, this can include the lighting, placement of characters, colours / costume and symmetry. This scene is from the key part in the middle of the movie where the joker starts the uprising after killing three men on the train. I chose this scene because of the variety of different elements that were used to capture this one scene. The first main element that stood out is the lighting, this is because the dim warm colored light gives and eerie sensation and adds more intensity to already action-packed scene, it also creates harsh shadows that make the scene appear bolder and more dramatic. Another element is the character placements in the scene, the Joker is much taller in the scene which shows his authority and power, while the man is on the floor crawling which makes him seem weak and helpless. They are both at an equal distance away from the camera which makes the audience look at both characters which signifies both of their importance in the scene.  

Colours signify a lot in this film, for example in this scene it is primarily red which shows how evil the joker is. It also makes the joker stand out in this scene since he is just a shadow figure which gives him a more sinister look. The red lights beaming at the audience makes the color the focus of the scene which also makes the evil and blood the color could represent feel unavoidable, it is also the only light in the scene which highlights its importance, it also depicts how the joker is heading down a villainous root that he can’t return from. 

Composition plays a big part in this scene because all the props, colours and characters complement each other well. The background of the scene is red and the joker (which is standing in the center) is also red .All the background characters are faded, this causes the joker to stand out, furthermore the light reflecting from the movie makes him appear brighter and more colorful which draws the audience attention to him. Everything in the scene fits together well, which turns it into a memorable scene, it is also showing its importance. 

The makeup in this scene is particularly important and represents the whole scene. The standard clown makeup the joker normally wears is smudged which shows how great the impact of the crash was, it also represents society at the time since everyone was rioting and was falling apart. The use of blood to fix his clown makeup adds gore which reminds the audience about who the joker is and what he represents. You can also see people in the background with similar makeup to the joker which shows the revolution he is starting and how important the makeup is. 

Costuming in this scene highlights how the scene is only in Arthur’s head, this is because Arthur and everyone else round him are all wearing formal clothing which we know is not normal for Arthur to wear since he cannot afford it. It also shows how Arthur views himself now, which is sophisticated and not much different from the rest of society other than his laugh. The blue colours he is wearing make him blend in with everyone instead of sticking out, which is important since it shows how he just wants to ‘belong’ with everyone. The blue could also represent his calm personality at the time and how outspoken he is because he is wearing a muted blue. The people around him are also wearing similar clothing to him like dark colored suits or polo shirts, this represents the class division in the movie where the rich are unaware of the poor and all the rich people are alike. 

The use of location filming in this scene gives the audience a visual depiction of the city of goth ham that the movie is set in. It also allows the audience to see how large the city is and how dull the atmosphere feels. The road down the middle of the scene makes the image look more symmetrical and it could also show the divide between the rich and the poor. The taller buildings in the background line up so the highest points are in the center which draws the audience into the middle of the scene. This adds height to the scene which helps make it look less flat and more realistic for the audience. 

The props in this scene are laid out towards the front, this makes them obvious and noticeable to the audience especially because of their brighter colours. The broken sign placed Infront of Arthur shows physically how he is feeling since the sign was important to him and his job. The overflowing garbage and the trash on the floor make the scene dirtier and shows how terrible the conditions of the city are especially for the lower class.