How to read an image still

How to Read Film Still

Mise-en-scene - Questions to use when deconstructing an image

Mise-en-scene

everything that appears before the camera

the setting

the costume and make-up

the use of figure, expression and movement by actors

                           the lighting

                           Positioning within the frame

Setting

Setting gives a sense of place and time. Whatever the film is, you should always analyse the set because it provides important clues about the nature of the film, such as:

* where the action takes place

* when the action takes place

* the mood

* the characters

* the genre of the film.

Costume and make-up

Costume and make-up can be considered as part of the set, because they indicate:

* the period

* the state of society

* social class

* cultural backgrounds

* character traits.

Changes in costume indicate changes in character, e.g.:

* rich to poor

* taking off clothes as lowering defenses.

* Clothing might also be a trademark.

Figure, expression and movement

·      Body language

·      Appearance

·      facial expressions (very significant in close-ups)

·      sound elements.

·      The way a character stands and moves is important.

·      If they are the foreground they might be considered more important.

·      If they move against a stationary background attention is drawn to them.

·      Even distribution of characters makes for a balanced shot, whereas uneven distribution is unsettling to the eye.

·      Positioning of characters within the frame may even indicate emotional distance.

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