JCM412512/Mise-en-scene (Discussion)

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Much as Bordwell/Thompson do with Our Hospitality and, on the Film Art CD, Shakespeare in Love, we will examine the narrative functions of mise-en-scene in a short scene from Out of the Past (Tourneur, 1947; See Out of the Past video clip.)

http://www.tcf.ua.edu/Classes/Jbutler/T440/OutOfThePast/images/OutOfThePast008_jpg.jpg

http://www.tcf.ua.edu/Classes/Jbutler/T440/OutOfThePast/images/OutOfThePast010_jpg.jpg

Discussion questions

  1. Group 1: What narrative meaning does the set design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? What are "objective correlatives" or "icons"? How might we see them in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
  2. Group 2: What narrative meaning does the costume design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see objective correlatives/icons in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
  3. Group 3: Describe the four basic characteristics of light in film (and television)--including specific instances of three-point lighting and high/low key lighting. (See Mad Men lighting grid.) What narrative meaning does the lighting design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see lighting's characteristics in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
  4. Group 4: What narrative meaning does the actor movement (that is, "blocking") suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see blocking in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative? If this were a silent film, what narrative meaning would be signified by blocking?

Bibliography

  1. Jeremy G. Butler, Television: Critical Methods and Applications (Routledge)
  2. David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction (McGraw-Hill)

External links

  1. Mise-en-scene Illustrations
  2. Out of the Past frame captures
  3. Out of the Past video clip
  4. Shakespeare in Love video clip