Mise-en-scene and Camera Movement notes

Mise-en-scene and Camera Movement

Mise-en-scene

      Diegetic sound

      Props/costumes

      Non-diegetic sound
     Cinematography

     Editing

Diegesis – the world of the film

Features of Mise-en-scene

Costume/props – What characters are wearing and what objects they use.

Editing – The use of software to manipulate the original film.

Cinematography – How the shot is laid out – positioning, lighting

Diegetic  sound – In context with film, actors/characters can hear.

Non-diegetic sound – Not in context, sound track

Camera Movement

Low Angle Shot – Taken below the subject

High Angle Shot – Shot is taken from above the subject, looking down at it. Gives a sense of helplessness and inferiority.

Pan – The camera moves from right-to-left (or L-to-R)

Tracking Shot – Camera moves on a dolly to follow subject.

Tilt – Camera pans vertically. Gives a sense of size and height.

Canted/Dutch Angle Shot – Camera position is not straight towards the subject.

Zoom In/Out – Camera focuses zooming in or out on a key detail.

Steadicam/Handheld – The camera moves around with the action. Gives a sense of realism.

Crane Shot – Camera takes a high angle shot looking down on the subject.

Aerial Shot – Camera is positioned in a plane or helicopter to get an ELS high angled shot.

Terminator Analysis

When Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character enters the bar, there is a cage blocking his path. James Cameron would have put this in to give a sense of imprisonment. Sarah appears to be trapped in the club and the cage shows that and emphasises her imprisonment.

As the Terminator is walking through the club, the people dancing are wearing contrasting colours. For example, there are people wearing red tops and orange trousers. This adds a sense of warning and adds more tension. It shows that the club is dangerous and something bad will happen soon.