Course Preparation Work

In film studies, the first few weeks are dedicated to developing your ability to analyse film form. To do this we begin by exploring all aspects of film form, some of which you may be familiar with and other aspects of which may be new to you. Developing an understanding of film form is essential as it underpins everything we do on the course.

The following preparation work will form part of early induction activities, which may include small group discussions with your peers and teacher in your first few lessons. This will help you to feel more confident, as well as get used to what it’s like being a student at Farnborough Sixth Form College.

TASK: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF MISE-EN-SCENE

Course Preparation Instructions.MOV

Instructions

The first element of film form we explore on the course is mise-en-scene. We would like you to do some research into mise-en-scene, finding out what it means and how to analyse it. We would then like you to analyse how it is used to create meaning in a scene from a film of your choice.

Click on the video to the left for instructions on the course preparation work.

1: Research

Watch the following video that explores the term mise-en-scene. Take notes and ensure you understand what the term means and what aspects of film language form part of this element of film form.

2: Review

Watch the following analysis of mise-en-scene in Alfred Hitchcocks’ ‘Rear Window’ (1954) and notice how the reviewer explores how Hitchcock creates meaning through the use of mise-en-scene. Please note the reviewer also refers to other aspects of film form.

3: Analysis

We would like you to select a scene from a film of your choice to analyse. With your analysis think about all the aspects of mise-en-scene and how they are used to help the audience understand the subject (create meaning).

Below is a chart that explains the difference between form and content and should help you with your analysis. The element of mise-en-scene is the form and this is used to create the content (meaning).

FORM

How the subject is expressed

How the meaning is presented
The methods of expression - cinematic language (film form)

CONTENT

What the film is about (the subject)

The meaning
Something to express

MISE-EN-SCENE

Key elements of mise-en-scene to analyse include:

Setting and decor
Props
Costume and make-up
Staging (eg. position of the characters), movement (eg. blocking) and off screen space
Colour

4: Flipped Learning

In Film Studies we use a technique called 'Flipped Learning' which involves you completing work outside of the lesson and then bringing your notes into the next lesson. This will allow us to explore the material in greater depth. Please watch the video to the right to see how to do this. Please also see the excellent student example of note-taking.

SCREENCAST - Flipped Learning.mp4

Exemplar Screencast Notes.pdf

HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR RESPONSE

We would like you to create a table and complete it with as much detail as you can, adding as many rows as you feel necessary for the scene but you should explore a minimum of 8 screenshots (see example below).

Identify the moment in the scene you want to analyse, take a screenshot of the image and add it to column A of the table
Then in column B we would like you to identify the element/s of mise-en-scene used in that particular frame, using the correct language (see example below).
Then in column C we would like you to discuss the meaning that is created through the use of this aspect of mise-en-scene. Having a good understanding of the scene and ideally the film will help here (see example below).
If you are feeling confident with your analysis please feel free to analyse other aspects of film form.

EXAMPLE USING 'THE GRADUATE' (1967, Nichols)

Column A

Please use column A to add your screenshots that you are using to help with your analysis

Column B (Form)

Prop: The fish tank and the scuba diver

Decor: Wallpaper (vertical lines)

Column C (Content)

Water used as a metaphor / motif for drowning / pressure

Symbolise a prison - feeling trapped and alone.

SOME EXAMPLES YOU MIGHT WANT TO USE

Below is a list of examples you may wish to choose from. Of course you can select something that is not on the list. We strongly recommend using an opening sequence, as these are often used to establish character and setting and can provide more to analyse in terms of mise-en-scene. We have selected well known mainstream films as students find these the most accessible, however we would welcome choices from the wide range of cinema that is available globally. All we ask is that you consider the suitability of the sequence