Mis en Scene: Set Design

 

What is Set Design? 

In the last couple of weeks, we learned about the set design element of the Mis en scene. This element focuses on the positioning of props and objects of a film's/show's frame in the context of other elements of the frame. This specific aspect of the mise en scene can connotate the plot and essentially the theme in a sequence. In addition, set design can display a character's emotion or the genre of a film. 

Set Design can be divided into two distinct categories: Realistic and Unrealistic 

Realistic set designs resonate with that of the natural world and are quite familiar to the audience. The particular props can give away the time period of the film. For example, the fan in the back of the frame of The Great Debaters scene, along with the use of file folders, connotates to the audience that it's taking place sometime pre-1970s. 

Unrealistic set designs look strange and foreign to the natural world. It tends to resonate with the theme of the film and reveals the genre to the audience. Action and science fiction genres are notorious for this type of set-design. 

Decors 

Decors are the general style of a set design and can connotate the tone of a film. Some are formal and may tell the audience that it is an office setting for example. 

Props 

Props refer to the specific objects that appear throughout the film. The props can be used to advance the film's plot or display something about the character. Props that are used in the film to advance the film's plot or serve as a motivation for characters are considered as a Mac Guffin. While Mac Guffins are, alone, are irrelevant, they are significant in the context of the narrative and are commonly reoccurring throughout the film.  

References

MasterClass. (2021, March). What Is Mise en Scène in Film? https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mise-en-scene-in-film#what-is-mise-en-scne

StudioBinder. (2021, February 1). What is Mise en Scène in Film: Definition and Examples. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/mise-en-scene/#:%7E:text=Mise%20En%20Scene%20DEFINITION,-What%20is%20mise&text=Mise%20en%20sc%C3%A8ne%20is%20the,design%2C%20lighting%2C%20and%20actors.

The Weinstein Company & Harpo Productions. (2007, December). No argument, The Great Debaters’ inspires [Film Scene Image]. Time Record News. https://archive.timesrecordnews.com/entertainment/no-argument-the-great-debaters-inspires-ep-434707075-331763041.html/

TV Tropes. (n.d.). MacGuffin. TV Tropes. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MacGuffin

Wizard Of Oz Emerald City. (2018, April). [Illustration]. Desktop Nexus. https://nature.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/2365156/