Mise-en-Scène
Mise-en-scène, meaning “putting in the scene,” refers to the arrangement of everything within a frame or scene. This concept, rooted in theatre and French terminology, is central to both live-action and animated storytelling. In animation, it aligns with the principle of staging and serves to guide audience attention, establish mood, and convey narrative meaning.
Elements of Mise-en-Scène
1. Setting and Props
- Settings and props are critical in creating the world of the story.
- Filmmakers and animators can either use pre-existing assets or build custom environments for more control over aesthetics and audience response.
- These elements manipulate the viewer’s emotions and establish context.
2. Character Stylisation and Placement
- Costume, hair, and makeup signify the character’s social role, personality, and attributes. For example, a cruel character might use a cigarette as a prop to pause, build tension, and emphasize their demeanour.
- Character placement refers to the areas of the screen occupied by characters, influencing the viewer’s perception of their relationships and importance.
3. Body Language and Facial Expression
- These aspects work together to convey emotions and character intentions.
- Micro-expressions may be explored independently for deeper emotional nuance.
4. Shot Framing
- Tight framing: Characters and objects are enclosed within a confined space, often creating tension or intimacy.
- Loose framing: Allows for more open space, emphasizing freedom or isolation.
5. Blocking and Screen Density
- Blocking refers to how characters and objects move and are positioned within the frame.
- Screen density, or the amount of visual information in the frame, can evoke a sense of chaos, calmness, or focus.
6. Composition
- The arrangement of elements within the frame includes the use of horizontal, vertical, and directional lines, guiding the viewer’s eye and creating balance or tension.
7. Lighting and Colour
- Lighting and colour establish the mood, atmosphere, and focus within a scene.
- High-key lighting: Bright and evenly lit, often used for upbeat or comedic scenes.
- Low-key lighting: Characterized by deep shadows, creating a dramatic or mysterious atmosphere.
- High-contrast lighting: Emphasizes stark differences between light and dark, adding tension or intensity.
- These techniques work together to set the scene’s mood and ambience.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
Breaking the fourth wall involves characters directly addressing the audience, creating a unique connection. This can happen through close-ups where characters actively talk to the viewers, as seen in traditional cinema and shows like The Office. This technique disrupts the narrative boundary, making the audience part of the story.
Camera Shots and Angles
1. Types of Shots
- Close-up: Highlights facial expressions, conveying emotions in detail.
- Long Shot: Establishes the setting, focusing more on body movement than facial expressions.
- One-Shot: Features a single character in the frame.
- Two-Shot: Includes two characters, often highlighting relationships.
- Group Shot: Displays more than two characters.
2. Camera Angles
- High-Angle Shot: Makes subjects appear smaller, emphasizing vulnerability or weakness.
- Low-Angle Shot: Makes subjects look larger, emphasizing dominance or power.
Camera Movements
1. Pan Shot
- The camera remains fixed but moves left or right on its axis.
2. Tilt Shot
- The camera remains stationary but tilts up or down.
3. Travelling Shot (Dolly Shot)
- The camera moves forward or backwards while fixed on its axis.
4. Crane Shot
- The camera moves in multiple directions—up, down, in, or out—while mounted on a mechanical crane.
Animation and Narrative
Clear Storytelling
- The narrative must be clear to avoid ambiguity unless the animation is experimental in nature.
Key Narrative Techniques
- Staging: Ensures that the story is communicated effectively within the scene.
- Character Placement: Establishes relationships, power dynamics, and focus.
- Blocking and Movement: Guides the viewer’s eye and conveys story elements.
- Composition: Balances visual elements to create impactful frames.
- Scene Entry: Thoughtful choreography of how characters enter the scene enhances storytelling.