Mise-En-Scene

Mies-En-Scene looks at how things are arranged in films or theatrical performance. It looks at costumes, set design, lighting, camera angles, the surroundings etc.


Costumes: They give off information about the character. Depending on the style of film, it can give a sense of time that it is set in, such as this still, taken from the film The Young Victoria starring Emily Blunt. The extravagant dress shows a lot of power and wealth but definitely would only be worn in Queen Victoria's era. The hairstyle also goes with the costume and the time period, as in the modern day era, the current queen would not be looking and dressing like Queen Victoria did.

Props: A prop, short for property, is an object used on stage or on screen by actors during a performance or screen production. A prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes, and electrical equipment. In the animated film Tangled, the main character, Rapunzel has a frying pan as her prop, which she uses to protect herself. It is not in every scene but comes up regularly at the start of the film.

                                    

Balanced Composition: The main focus (normally a main character or an important object) will be placed in the middle of the frame to draw all the attention to the main propose. 

                                 

Unbalanced Composition: When there is no main focus. There seems to always be a lot going on in the scene/image which can be confusing. It can be used to symbolise a persons mood. If there is a scene with a lot a people either rushing around or talking at a table, it could show the person is either erratic or thinkingly clearly and calmly. 

                                   

Setting: Can be shot in a film studio which is easy to access, will be free to use whenever they want and can be created to look however they want. It can also be shot on locations wherever. Doing this will make it harder as the free space will be hard to get and to import all the props, costumes, lighting etc. However, doing shooting on location will make it look very believable and realistic and will give the film a better look overall so could potentially be worth the difficulty. 

Lighting: Can show mood by having a blue tint in the lighting would represent sadness, a red tint would symbolise angry or love. Can show time of day, by having a character get out of bed to make a late night snack would have dim lighting in the background to show it is early in the morning and the sun is coming up. Could also show the time of year by having someone outside at 6 p.m but is very dark could suggest its winter. It can also create a sense of eeriness to a film by having the frame relatively dark with only one or two people in focus.

Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of meaning and making of signs. It is also the study of sign process (semiosis) and meaningful communication. To understand the sign and its image. Most signs have a meaning which we need to understand or that we already know as it is an everyday sign. 

Iconic signs: 

There is no second meaning to these signs. We see these signs often and understand the meaning of them. For example, the sign in the middle means first aid. The meaning is mostly obvious.

Indexical Signs:

Indexical signs doesn't always resemble what they are trying to show. There is no photo or words to tell us that these belong to an animal but we are able to tell just by the sign. It is a subtle meaning that has the ability to show us what they signify. 

Dior Perfume Advert (Denotations and Connotations)

Advert Analysis: 

The advert is surrounded by gold which is symbolised as power and richness. There is a lady standing on the far right holding herself in a strong stance with fine jewels around her neck. She has blonde hair that matches the yellow colour/theme which is surrounded around her as she walks down a gold corridor. The women takes up most of the right hand side of the photo which implies she is the main focus especially as herself and the bottle are the only things that are not blurred. The bottle is gold with letters in bold, white writing which draws attention to the image. It gives people the thought that wearing this perfume you will become as elegant and rich as the lady in the advert which is stereotypically what most women want. 

Denotations:

Denotations are the literal image so it is exactly how you see it. A picture of a rose would mean the Denotation is a flower. 

For the advert the Denotations are: gold, a women, Jewellery.

Connotations:

Connotations is the hidden, deeper meaning. A picture of a rose would mean the Connotation is love.

For the advert the Connotations: 

Gold - Symbolises riches and power 

Women - To look as beautiful as her once you have the perfume 

Jewellery - Gives a higher status, potential sentimental value

Introduction Post

Welcome to my AS Media Blog!

I will be documenting my work so people can watch my progress and development into Media Studies.

My name is Kate Pignatelli. I live in Hammersmith near Kensington Olympia Station. I am currently studying my A-levels at Collingham College. My subjects are Geography, Art, Psychology and Media. I have always been a big fan of the arts world from anything to painting to theatre. I've enjoyed learning about Media especially as I've never had the opportunity to study this subject elsewhere.

I've always wanted to do Media as it is something that seems so interesting. I enjoy seeing the work that goes on behind a film or a poster. The thought process of each camera angle, the lighting and the way it was made is fascinating to me. I am already excited for the work to come as I will start getting more involved such as making an opening to a film!

I hope you enjoy following my work on my blog.