Mise En Scene Case Study

 For this case study, I chose a scene from the movie Waves (2019). The movie is follows two siblings, Tyler and Emily, as they navigate the hardships of love, forgiveness, healing, and loss. The particular scene I decided on is from the first act of the movie where Tyler gets injured, creating a pivotal shift in movie's plot . 

    The overall atmosphere of the scene is of suffocating tension and psychological distress. The lighting elements and camera shots create a mood that is both intense and claustrophobic, mirroring Tyler's mental state. The setting of the wrestling room, is illuminated by one key light highlighting Tyler and his opponent in the middle of the ma and creating low-key lighting throughout the rest of the gym. This makes the scene feel intense and unforgiving, emphasizing the emotional distance between Tyler and those around him. The handheld camera work, combined with rapid cuts and disoriented motion, amplifies the sense of instability and chaos. These elements work together to create a deeply immersive atmosphere, heightening the emotional impact of the match entirely.

    Overall, Tyler is represented as a young man caught in a storm of internal and external pressures. Physically, he is shown in tight wrestling gear that exposes his muscularity and highlights his vulnerability, emphasizing the duality of his strength and fragility. His body language becomes increasingly aggressive and uncontrolled as the match progresses, reflecting his deteriorating emotional state. The mise-en-scène isolates Tyler visually through close-ups and centered framing, even in a room full of people, reinforcing a growing sense of alienation for the audience. The other wrestlers and coaches are depicted as distant and blurred, lacking emotional connection with Tyler. This visual separation suggests the loneliness he experiences, despite being surrounded by teammates and authority figures.

    I think through the scene’s visual language, the audience is encouraged to feel both empathy and unease towards Tyler. The intimate framing and POV shots draw viewers into his psychological space, fostering a connection with his emotional experience. While his eventual outburst during the match may momentarily distance the audience, the buildup heavily contextualizes his actions. The mise-en-scène does not villainize Tyler, but instead, it invites viewers to understand his breakdown as a product of complex emotional, physical, and social conflicts. This portrayal encourages a sympathetic and  conflicted, response from the audience.

    The wrestling injury scene is not just a moment of physical trauma, it also represents a breaking point in Tyler’s character arc. Mise-en-scène is used powerfully to communicate narrative developments. The low-key and key lighting suggest exposure and judgment, mirroring Tyler’s fear of being seen as weak or inadequate. The wrestling mat becomes a metaphorical battleground not only against an opponent but also against himself and the pressures in his life. Props such as his medical brace, are a reminder of his hidden injury, foreshadow his inevitable collapse. Even the costume colors, primarily red and blue, subtly suggest themes of conflict, rage, and control. Every element, from the choreography of the physical fight to the staging of characters in the frame, contribute to the narrative of a young man losing control.

Moodboards

 For this blogpost, I created 4 visual mood boards for 4 different locations!

Intergalactic Mothership: For this mood-board, I wanted to create a celestial setting with futuristic elements. The set would be primarily illuminated by artificial lighting such as LED's, screens, and projectors with cool undertones, but also by the countless stars surrounding the ship. The futuristic technology would create high key lighting and the stars will act as natural lighting. Blue lighting symbolizes stability and tranquility. I decided for the costumes and makeup to resemble extraterrestrials, this adds a sense of wonder and intrigue to the other-worldly design of the overall scene, hopefully captivating the audience. When people see my mood-board, I want them to feel as if they've been transported into another world and as if they were in the mothership themselves. 

Circus: For this board, I decided on a classic circus scene. The set would be lit by soft and warm lights to create lowkey lighting paired with red and gold tones, allowing for a nostalgic and comforting setting. For the props, I added carousels, mirrors, masks, cannons, and popcorn to further establish the classic feeling of this scene. For the costumes, I wanted to focus on the ringleader, using black, red, and white elements in the costume. When all of these elements come together, I want the audience to feel a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and excitement.

Mermaid's Palace: For this board, I wanted to create an aquatic, fairytale-like setting. I decided on  natural lighting and incorporated bright and metallic colors like turquoise, white, metallic and muted pinks, and muted greens to further establish the mythical theme. For the props, I included seashells and pearls to add to the underwater elements. And finally, the costumes and makeup reinforce the mermaid theme, I wanted the makeup and costume to feel ethereal so I included shells and exaggerated elements such as draped pearls and bright, shiny colors. Overall, I intended for my audience to feel immersed and captivated by the magic and fantasy of this scene.

Backstage of a fashion show: This board is one of my more realistic scenes. I wanted to create an atmosphere with bright and high-key lighting while also using more monotone colors like beige, black, and white to express the seriousness and chaos of a backstage setting. The props that I used are mostly just things you would find behind the scenes of a fashion show like makeup brushes, mannequins, measuring tape, and sewing needles with string, I also added racks of sample clothing with shoes. The costumes aren't really highlighted in this board due to the fact that most employees backstage dress the same or have a uniform. Overall, I intended for my audience to get an insight to the fast-paced atmosphere of backstage life and what goes on behind the scenes of a fashion show.

Sound Art Project

 This is my Foley sound project that I did with my classmate Laiba (laibap-09.blogspot.com)! Our project includes 10 our foley sounds all put together to make one scene and four videos of us creating individual sounds.

Scene; Chilling in a Forest: 

1. Flow of water (stream sounds)
2. Wood peckers pecking
3. Leaves/branches falling
4. Leaves crunching
5. Wind bustling
6. Growling animals
7. Twigs snapping
8. Rain
9. Buzzing Insects
10. Slithering snake

The video file for our project can be found here and our audio file can be found here!

Case Study

 For my case study, I chose the opening scene of Twilight(2008).

   The opening scene (0:22 - 0:35) opens with an establishing shot of a forest with a deer drinking water and rises to a high angle. 

     The scene is quickly cut to a point of view shot (0:37) of something that appears to be preying on the deer. The shot shows leaves and branches in front of the predator as it carefully stalks their prey (0:37-0:41), then the POV shot moves on a tilt beginning from the sky, and halting at the forest path(0:42-0:44).

      As the POV comes to a halt at the forest path, the shot is then combined with a handheld shot as the POV that the audience or viewer is looking through begins to charge towards the deer drinking water and begins to chase it.(0:45-0:49)

     With this, the point of view and handheld shot ends and changes to a tracking shot of the deer running away from the predator (0:50-1:04). This shot is accompanied with frantic blurs, fast movements, and cuts as the deer races through the forest attempting to get away from the predator, who is only revealed to be a man in the last second of the scene as he finally catches the deer and a bright flash comes onto the screen.(1:06). This scene may be shot in this way to make the audience feel panicked and to create suspense about what or who is chasing the deer until he is revealed.

      This bright light transitions into the sun and the camera begins to move into another tilt from the sun, down onto the main character, Bella Swan, holding a cactus to reveal a complete change in scenery from a dark, muggy forest to the bright and sunny state of Arizona(1:06-1:10)

      As the tilt comes to a halt on Bella, the camera zooms into a close-up shot to focus on  her facial expressions as she prepares to move away from Arizona to live in Forks, Washington. This shot shows the audience that Bella is trying to prepare herself for the big move while she also appears to already be grieving her home as she hugs the cactus close to her chest and breathes in deeply(1:11-1:19). The close-up shot is then combined with a dolly shot, as Bella starts walking forward, the camera moves backwards while still up close and focused on her face. (1:20-1:26)

      This scene then cuts to a close-up and two person shot of Bella and her mother holding hands and getting ready to leave(1:27-1:29). The shot then pans to a man standing in the driveway of their house as he has just gotten done packing up a car with luggage (1:30-1:33) and then cuts into an over the shoulder shot of Bella looking at her mother again in reassurance as they finally decide to leave(1:34-1:38). 

      The Final shots of this scene include a wide shot of the packed car pulling out of the driveway of their Arizona home(1:39-1:52). This stands out as one of the longest, continuous shots throughout the whole opening of this movie so far and is most likely meant to make the audience reflect on how Bella might feel as she leaves her home for good. The shot then cuts very quickly to a close-up of her silhouette in the car as her hair blows in the wind(1:53-1:54) and closes out with a tracking shot of an airplane taking off(1:55-1:56) and finally ends with a wide shot panning over canyons as the production logos start appearing on the screen (1:57-2:00).

https://youtu.be/08_jpDyiBKY?si=gMCkWRnjV3ymzIkz

Camera Movements

 

Tilt: This shot starts at the feet of a student, and moves upward to reveal her picking out a book. This shot is meant to be an introduction or reveal the face of the student to the viewers and can also be used in many different ways, for example, if the shot is slowed down it can become suspenseful.

Steadicam: This is a steadicam shot of two friends working in the library. In this shot, the two students are speaking with the people around them while still doing their work. I this shot is meant to give an insight to the usual day of a student and shows them in a natural environment.

Handheld: This is a handheld shot of another student in the library. This shot shows her working on her laptop as and also gives an insight to the everyday life of a student. The unsteadiness of the camera makes it feel more natural, like she's being recorded by one of her friends.

Dolly shot: This shot moves in on an isolated student in a black hoodie and then moves back out. The student appears to be sad or upset about something. The dolly shot reinforces is meant to reinforce that idea as the camera moves in on him, waits, and then reverses. It emphasizes his emotions and allows the viewer to think about how he might be feeling. 

Zoom: This shot zooms in on another student working. In the shot, the student continuously looks up at the camera and back at his work. This particular shot is meant to bring attention the student despite all of the movement and noise around him by slowly zooming in on him while he is trying to work.

   

Pan: This shot moves from left to right and shows a library with students working in it. This shot is meant to show the scenery of a place that is frequented by students, teachers, and admin throughout a typical school day.

Reverse zoom: This shot starts out with a close up of a student, then slowly zooms out. The shot is meant to allow the viewer to see a bigger picture in a scene. In the beginning of the shot, it is zoomed in on one student doing her work, then slowly reverses or zooms out to reveal a full library of student conversing, working, and bustling about their day. 

Classmates Blog Commentary

For this blog, I'm commenting on two of my classmates shots/angles blog posts!

Classmate #1: mrfmediastudies.blogspot.com

Longshot - This is longshot of two friends celebrating in the library. I think the longshot adds to the lightheartedness and playful feeling of this scene.

Wide shot - This is a wide shot of students working in the library. I think that this type of shot makes the scene feel very natural and gives an insight to the average Hollywood Hills High student as they go about their day 

Two-person shot: This two person shot shows a pair of friends helping each other read. I think this picture is a representation of youthful friendship and teamwork between the two students. It also makes the scene appear playful. 

Classmate #2: laibap-09.blogspot.com

 

Close-up shot: i think that this close-up shot of Marta conveys a suspenseful feeling. The picture shows her with her hand over her mouth and looking off to the side appearing shocked, this in itself is gripping to the viewer and I feel that the close-up draws them in more and leaves them wondering what the bigger picture of this scene is.

High angle shot: This shot shows a student reading in the library. To me, the high angle of the shot enforces the idea that she is very focused on what she is reading to the viewer. However, in other cases some viewers might feel that the high angle could represent time passing, meaning that the student might be bored.

Point of view shot: This shot is from the point of view of a student working on their laptop. I feel that the overall shot allows the viewer to experience the scene through the perspective, or "eyes", of the student.

10 Camera Shots/ Angles

Dutch angle: My friend looking at books

Wide-shot: Students studying and working in the library

Over the shoulder shot: My friend is catching up on homework.

Mid-shot: Laiba posing in the library

Point of view shot: Me reading my favorite book.

Two-shot: Jesus and Anthony spending quality time together!

Ground-shot: a close ground shot of my friends feet in the library

Close-up shot: Laiba is astonished!

Aerial Shot: My friend, Marta taking a picture of my other friend.

Wide-shot: Jesus searching for his friends in the school library