Mise-en-scene

The meaning of Mise-en-scene is "in the scene or frame" in french. The main factors of mise-en-scene are the following:

• settings and props
• costume, hair and make-up
• facial expressions and body language 
• lighting and colour
• positing of characters and objects in the frame

Colour: Denotation and Connotation

Colours can be interoperated in many different ways, especially in film. It can reflect different moods and feelings within the scene. When it comes to the literal description of a idea, concept or object this is the denotation. The opposite is the connotation, which we can associate with a particular idea, concept or object.

An example of  an effect use of colour in the film We Need to Talk About Kevin. The uses of the colour red can indicate a vicious murder or danger. 

Facial Expression and Body Language

We communicate through facial expressions and body language. Which is important particularly in media because it can display a lot about a character and what they are feeling. To show the characters facial expressions, the shots would often be close ups and extreme close ups. 

Positioning of Characters and Objects Within a Frame 

Objects and characters can be in the foreground, middle-ground or background. This can emphasise the relative importance of the object or character. When a shot is in deep focus both the foreground and background are in focus. This enables the audience to choose where they are going to look. In the film The Best Years of Our Lives it shows a good example of a scene that is in deep focus. Here you can see what all of the characters are doing within the scene, so the audience can look at every individual.