MISE-EN-SCENE Rush

DEFINITIONS

Literal meaning – Put in the scene

Everything that creates the visual world of the media text

What does it consist of?

Costume, make up and hairstyling,

Body language and facial expressions,

Colour and lighting,

Setting and props,

Positioning of objects in the frame.

COSTUME, MAKE UP AND HAIRSTYLE Based in 1971, the costumes of the characters play an important task. Showing that it is set in 1971 and having the correct fashion.

In Europe where this film is based, androgynous hippie was the fashion at the time. Although quite individual, loose trousers, open shirts and an velvet waist coats were the fashion. Represented well by the two men that pick them up when the car has broken down.

The hairstyle is also very important in showing the time period, both styles are very common for the time period, for the men, long, swept back and curly. For the women a quiff, which makes her seem high class and more sophisticated. Her makeup is minimal and suits her age and social class. Wearing a white dress may also represent innocence and beauty.

BODY LANGUAGE AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS Body language is a form of communication without the use of words or noises. Through the movement of the body or facial expressions.

Facial expressions are shown very well in this screen shot. The women is showing she is confused/disgruntled at what has been said without having to say anything. This allows the audience to understand more about what is happening in the scene.

Body language is shown better in this screen shot. As no eye contact occurs and each character keeps remaining facing forward it shows the lack of wanting to communicate and that they are only focusing on what is in front of them rather than each other.

COLOUR AND LIGHTING Colour and lighting can be used in many ways. Setting the scene, suggesting the time and the seasons. It can also suggest the relationship/potential relationship of the characters.

In the first screen shot, the lighting is bright, suggesting it is around midday as the light is nearly directly above. It is well lit also, suggesting warmth. The colours used are bright connoting warmth and happiness. The blue sky is a relaxing colour, mixed with the green and yellow colours creates a very warm and relaxing feel to the scene.

This screenshot is blurred, this has been done on purpose to create the sensation of speed and danger. Helping to make the audience see that they are going fast and the speed is dangerous.

SETTING AND PROPS The setting gives the place the scene is set, while props, often taken from real life help gives links for the audience to the film and allow the actors to use in the scene.

In this scene in rush, not many props are used. However, a main prop is the car the characters are sat in. The car helps set the scene very well, being a car from the time period it helps show the time period to the audience.

The setting used is in the country, the audience can tell it is quite warm. The audience can also see the crops growing and plant life growing and flowering. This could possibly be a hint at the two characters in the scene starting to like each other and there like for each other growing. The warmth of the scene also suggests happiness, again, linking to the characters starting to like each other.

POSITIONING OF OBJECTS IN

THE FRAME The positioning of objects in the frame shows the audience where they should focus their attention.

In this first screenshot, the director has used the rule of thirds. Lining the characters on the right third, this allows the audience to be able to see the road and surroundings. Seeing that they are very isolated and no one is about to help them. However they are in beautiful scenery so it could be slightly romantic.

This second screenshot is taken up mostly by the character speaking, but you can just see the other character. This suggests to the audience they should be focused on the character speaking rather than anything else.