Mise-en-scene blog tasks

Fight Club (1999)

1) Find a distinctive still image and write an analysis of the mise-en-scene.

Costume: In this frame, the costumes of both characters are used both to create visual interest but also to display their contrasting personalities and roles in the narrative. On the left of the frame, Tyler is seen with a black fur coat and baggy red trousers, while the Narrator (on the right of the frame) is wearing a simple black coat and fitted grey trousers. These choices create conflict that illustrate the binary opposition of the two characters.

Lighting: The frame is intentionally dark with both the characters not being brought into focus by the lighting but rather by the composition of the frame. The use of low-key lighting indicates both the seriousness of the interaction between these characters but also the immorality of both of them. 

Actor placement, movement, expression: The placement of both actors is vital to the overall composition of this frame, with Tyler's placement on the left and the Narrator's placement on the right making them oppose each other, reflecting their dynamic. In this frame you can see a visible expression of anguish and confusion on the tired face of the Narrator whereas Tyler seems to embody calm and almost confident mannerisms. Finally, there is not much to comment on in terms of movement, but it is notable that the Narrator's hands communicate his exasperation in the moment, while Tyler nonchalantly holds a cigarette in his hand.

Makeup and hair: Similar to costuming, the differences in their hair are used to communicate their roles as characters that are narrative foils to each other, with Tyler's hyper-masculine buzzcut and the Narrator's standard, almost corporate haircut being complete opposites from each other when considering the film's ideas of manhood in late capitalist America; both characters presenting two different options for men to either conform or completely disobey.

Props: There are not many notable props in this still image, however the use of the cigarette inside the hotel room indicates Tyler's disregard for regulations, rules and any concept of safety at all. The black curtains also act as set dressing to frame the characters, blending in with their dark clothes.

Setting: The choice of a hotel room connotes the privacy of the interaction between these characters, with it being unremarkable to give the characters more focus.

2) Find TWO film or TV extracts on YouTube from different genres (e.g. horror, sci-fi, costume drama). Embed them in your blogpost and write a comparison of the mise-en-scene in each.

 

Better Call Saul (crime drama/legal drama)

Succession (tragicomedy/satire)

In the clip from Better Call Saul, costume is used to signify which characters are part of the cartel, typical of a crime series, but in this TV show specifically the contrast between the fitted grey blazers of Jimmy (paired with his bright blue shirt and patterned tie to showcase the eccentricity of his character) and the red, loosely worn shirts of Lalo and Nacho is intentional; colour coding is used to evoke connotations of danger with characters that predominantly wear red, whereas blue is used as a signifier of morality and justice. Furthermore, Lalo's shirt being patterned with flowers and Nacho's being plain, dark red could also indicate the characters' personalities. 

However, in Succession, there is a consistent theme within the costuming, maintaining a formal and dull grey colour palette with multiple characters in business suits, establishing the serious tone of the scene but purposefully not providing any characterisation.  

In the Better Call Saul scene there is a lot of bright natural lighting provided by the setting. Contrastingly, the particular lighting used within this scene from Succession is murky and creates an atmosphere of distrust to reflect the emotions of the characters within the scene. 

Actor placement, movement, expression: In this scene from Succession, every movement of the actors is meticulous and almost calculated to reflect the austere business environment that the characters occupy. Kendall's movements, especially his walk up to the microphones, are constrained in order to hide as much information as possible before the upcoming "betrayal".

In the scene from Better Call Saul, movements and body language vary from character to character, with Jimmy's nervous expressions indicating his wariness about the situation, contrasting with Lalo's carefree and almost teasing attitude conveyed by his constant smile. Out of every character, Lalo is the most expressive as opposed to Nacho's stern look and Jimmy's nervous gestures, suggesting he is the most comfortable and relaxed with criminal behaviour.