Lesson 1

Mise en scène and Hitchcock

In the two activities in Lesson 1, students will investigate the film concept mise en scène and understand the importance of this element in film . They will also explore the way that director Alfred Hitchcock used it to create suspense and tell a story.

Mise en scène is a French term that literally translates as 'placing onto the stage' ...

Of all the techniques of cinema, mise en scène is the one with which we are most familiar. After seeing a film, we may not recall the editing or camera movements or sound effects. But we often remember the period costumes, or the bleak chilly lighting, or the bright colours of the Australian desert in the background. Mise en scène is a term used to explain the director’s control over all that appears within the film frame. The term refers to the arrangement of all of the elements we see on camera: the setting, lighting, costumes, the point of view and the behaviour of the figures. In controlling the mise en scène the director stages the event for the camera.

Setting and Props

The setting or location and props used in a film or photograph can be used to manipulate the audience and control their expectations. Props can provide clues to a character's personality and values. They can also reveal the story's historical and cultural setting.

Costume, Hair, Makeup, Characters

These film elements can be used to tell the audience about a character's cultural background, status and the society and time in which they live, their job, values and/or characteristics. The placement and movement of the actor within the shot, also reveals a lot about their character's personality.

Lighting and Atmosphere

Lighting has great power to create atmosphere. In general there are two main forms of lighting. Low key lighting creates contrast between well-lit and shadowed areas. It is often used in thrillers and suspense films). High key lighting creates a bright, even 'look'. It is more commonly used in comedies and light- hearted scenes.

Point of View, Perspective

Choices of camerawork shape our understanding of who 'sees' the scene. A first person point of view encourages us to see the shot as subjective, as though we were seeing through the eyes of a character. A second person shot is when the character talks directly through the screen, as though addressing the audience. A third person shot is the most common point of view. This is when the camera is positioned neutrally, as though we are seeing through the eyes of a detached observer.

'Hitchcock is not particularly concerned with teaching or reforming us, but with intriguing, moving, captivating us, and above all making us participate emotionally in the narrative he has chosen to conduct. He works exactly like an orchestra conductor who directs his instrumentalists and advances the symphony whose every note, chord, sigh and silence has been foreseen in the score.' New York Times, March 4, 1979

Accessed on 25/03/2020 via https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/film/030479hitch-life-award.html

Image accessed on 25/03/2020 via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock

Who was Alfred Hitchcock?

Known as the master of mise en scène, Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most celebrated and studied directors in the history of cinema. He has been a significant influence on generations of artists. Hitchcock died in 1980.

What else can you find out about him?

Activity

1. Imagine you are writing for a website. Create a digital document (use a free program like google docs, canva, weebly or any other program you can access) to create a visually engaging list of eight intriguing facts about the life of this film-maker.
You will need to use the internet to complete your research. Try to use reliable sites. Some examples are listed below.
Include at least four images from different films Hitchcock made. Make sure you label the images with the film title. Share your digital document about the life of Alfred Hitchcock with your teacher via your shared online platform.

Websites to inform your response:

Rear Window and Mise en scène

Rear Window is a mystery thriller made by Hitchcock and released in 1962. It is celebrated both for its stunning use of a single set (which was built within Paramount studios), and for the way it slowly built suspense. The storyline involves a photographer called Jeff, who has broken his leg and is confined to his apartment where he passes the time spying on his neighbours. As Jeff negotiates his relationship with his fashionista girlfriend Lisa, who would like him to commit further, he unexpectedly witnesses a crime committed in the apartment opposite.

Image accessed via Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rear_Window_film_poster.jpg on 26/03/2020

Activity- Watch the video above and then complete the group task.

Stop the video at 04: 14 minutes.

How does Alfred Hitchcock use elements of mise en scène to build the narrative and create suspense in the opening sequence of Rear Window?

2. To answer this question you will need to work in a group of 3 or four and create a shared slideshow. Explain how each of the four identified elements of mise en scène below are used in the opening sequence. Use your knowledge of the structural and cultural frame to assist you when investigating. You can find a live link below to take you to a frames scaffold that might help. There are also many articles on the web about the opening sequence of Rear Window, which you can also access if you need more information.

The four members of the group will create two slides each on one of the following elements:

Setting and Props - consider objects, decorations, walls, flooring, structures and buildings, plants/landscape, furniture, fabrics such as curtains or furnishings.
Costume, Hair, Makeup and Character- Describe the costume of the two key characters. Does the costume indicate a time period? A place? Status? How does the costume help to convey the character and tell their story?
Lighting and Atmosphere- How is lighting used? Is it high key and bright and clear? Is it low key and dark? Does the lighting build atmosphere? How? Does the lighting suit the action?
Point of View and Perspective- How are point of view shots used? Give specific examples. Whose point of view do we see? What is the effect on the audience?

Include images from the film to illustrate your analysis and upload your shared slideshow to the digital platform used by your class.

The frames scaffold (PDF 5.83MB) can be used to support your learning in this activity.

Home

Image Credits

Left to right:
Image accessed via: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/84880/12-thrilling-facts-about-rear-window on 29/03/2020Image accessed via: https://www.filminquiry.com/rear-window-1954-review/ on 29/03/2020Image accessed via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear_Window on 29/03/2020Image accessed via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear_Window on 29/03/2020

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