Mise en scene

Mise en Scène: what is put into a scene or frame.

Setting and props
Costume, hair and make up
Facial expressions and body language
Positioning of characters/objects within the frame
Lighting and colour

Setting and props: these are either built from scratch or a great deal of time is spent finding a set which already exists.
For example: sci-fi = space, in another universe
rom-com = major cities e.g. Paris or New York
horror = dark forest, abandoned crooked house

Costume, hair and make up: act as an instant indicator to us of a character's personality, status and job. They also give us an idea of society and culture within the film and certain costumes can signify certain individuals e.g. black cloak = vampire.

Facial expressions and body language: facial expressions provide a clear indicator of how someone is feeling e.g. smiling = happy, smiling = sad. However, you have to be careful as if you add scary music to a smiling facial expression, we get a different feeling. Body language indicates how characters feel towards each other.

Positioning of characters/objects within the frame: this can draw our attention to characters/objects within the frame. The film-maker uses positioning to show characters feelings towards each other, e.g. if two characters were opposite ends of the frame, facing away from each other, we get the feeling they are rivals.

Lighting and colour: highlights important characters or objects within the frame. Also, it can be used to make characters look a certain way, for example by shading sections of the face/body, it makes the character looks mysterious.
Low key lighting is created by using only the key and back lights, for example horror films.
High key lighting uses more filler lights, this makes it look more natural and realistic e.g. rom-coms.

Breaking Bad:


Setting:
Run-down green, graffiti, warehouse, tables outside: dangerous area
Lighting and colour:
Red light: blood, danger
Low key lighting: foreshadowing dangerous events
Costume, hair and make-up:
Leather jackets, bald, gold chains: 'hard men'
Props:
Drugs, knifes, smoking: crime, death
Facial expression and body language:
Straight faces, laughter, punching gestures: seriousness, trying to take him seriously
Positioning in frame:
The bald guy is always to the side of the frame until he meets the drug dealer, then he is in the middle: his confidence grows, he feels like he is an equal match to the drug dealer