Mise en scene analysis

Mise en scene analysis

Definition: Mise en scene is how props and a scene are put together to portray a place in a movie or media footage in order to enhance the reality of a scene.  

There are 6 elements of mise en scene:

• Set
• Props
• Costume, hair and make up
• Character performance
• Lighting
• Shot Type

The shot below is taken from an episode of a show called 'Breaking Bad', were the main character, Walter, begins to spend the money he has earned on a car for both him and his son.



First of all, to analyse the set is to pick out and make connotations and denotations in relation to the scenery. The set is of a sunny neighbourhood. In the neighbourhood we can see houses and greenery and it looks like a good and rather rich one. From this we can connote that the character Walter is rather wealthy in order to be living in such a neighbourhood. We can denote that there aren't many houses and the setting is at a place and time where the weather is sunny and bright.

When analysing props we analyse the objects and items in the scene. Firstly in the scene we can see that there are two cars, likely to be of high expense there is also a beautiful stretch of houses and greenery behind. From seeing the two cars we can connote that the character, 'Walter' is a bold and probably carefree person. This is evident as he not only has bought one expensive car but two. What I can denote however is that he is a wealthy person as only someone with wealth could buy such cars.

From the shot it is hard to see the costume, hair and make up of the characters and therefore I cannot analyse that from the image. I can neither fully analyse the performance of the characters as I can barely see them and it is a still image, however I can suggest that they are rather happy as they are pulled up in the driveway with two expensive cars.

I can however analyse the lighting in the scene. It is a very sunny day and as a result the cars begin to glisten and shine. This has been done effectively as it draws the audiences attention to the cars, so that we the audience can greater realize how impressive the vehicles are. The warmth the light gives can connote happiness and joy, this relates to the feelings of the characters. The lighting denotes however that simply the weather is bright and sunny out.

From the shot we can also identify that the sun is out and the it is dry with nice lighting. The use of such lighting shows that were they are is a place in which the weather is nice and the areas are clear. This further shows an understanding of wealth as the day matches the cars, perfect. The light also shines nicely on the cars, almost making it sparkle. This enhances the beauty of the cars as the glisten in the sun light. It also further his wealth as his cars are beautiful cars. The colours in the scene are also rather bright and match the bright light from the sun. The bright colour of the props draws your attention to them (for example the car on the left) and shows the audience not only the quality of the car but also indicates Walter's boldness to buy such a car on a whim.

Finally the shot type used. The image shot type is a Long shot at a high angle. It allows the audience to see the important things in the scene (the cars) and the use of high angle helps show the glow of the cars and it makes the cars look big so that the audience are attracted to them.