Mise-en-scèneLocation and set dressing

The choice of location for a film is another aspect of mise-en-scène.

So too is how that location is 'dressed' - the industry term for decorating or preparing a set or location.

^{A film production may use a street with Victorian buildings for a historical drama, but may need to dress the set by adding extra period props or disguising modern features such as double yellow lines or power cables.}

Performance

One often forgotten aspect of mise-en-scène is the performance of the actors themselves.

Acting styles used for various film genres may vary.

An over-the top acting style with lots of large physical movements and shouting might be appropriate for a wild comedy but would be out of place in a serious drama.

Animation

Animators must deal with an additional mise-en-scène element, character design.

Character design is the term used for the process of designing the look of an animated character.

The animator must carefully consider factors such as the ease with which the character can be animated, as an overly complicated character might be hard to manipulate and move convincingly.

^{The Minions are a good example of simple character design that audiences responded well to.}

They must also consider how audiences should respond to a character.

So if, for example, they want to create a character audiences will feel empathy for, they might make the character’s eyes large and child-like.

Creating a consistent world

All of these elements combine to help create a convincing and consistent world on screen.

^{Period drama Swallows and Amazons (2016) is a good example of how filmmakers combine all of the elements of mise-en-scène to transport the audience to the world of the story.}

Whether or not they draw attention to themselves depends on the tone the director is trying to create and maintain.

The makers of an epic science fiction film may decide to exaggerate every aspect of the mise-en-scène, whereas the director of a drama based on a true story might want to make all of the elements seem ordinary and believable.