Mise-En-Scene

Mise-en-scene is the arrangement of everything that appears in the framing of the shot– actors, lighting, décor, props, and costume. Mise-en-scene is a French term that means “placing on stage.”

The Five Key Features of Mise-En-Scene are:

1. Setting and Props
2. Costume, Hair and Makeup
3. Facial Expressions and Body Language
4. Lighting and Colour
5. Positioning of Characters/Objects within the Frame 

Mise-en-scene creates a great movie because it allows the audience to immerse themselves into the action. In some cases mise-en-scene can be used to change the mood or style of the movie for example the set can be given dark lighting, claustrophobic scenery and distorted shapes to create an evil aura and so that they can enhance the horror the audiences feel. The film 'Black Swan' has great mise-en-scene because it envelopes the viewer into the set, because of this I am going to evaluate the trailer for the movie.

In the opening scene of the trailer the set is enveloped in darkness with a spotlight centring on the stage, providing the only light on set. There dancing is a ballerina in a white tutu, this is can be interpreted as innocence or naivety because when we think of a tutu we think of a child. She is positioned slightly off centre which can show that she possibly feels that she isn't the main attraction. When the lighting is evaluated it can show that ballet is the only positive or good thing in her life because it is the only light in the darkness. The shot matches on action and we can see her feet as she dances it then changes to a medium shot which is zooming out that shows her still dancing.

The next change in shot shows the practice room where a multitude of dancers are performing rudimentary steps, they are all dressed in the same of colours of white, grey and black, all of them are in the exact same position this can show that they are all performing as one or that they all think the same and blend into each other. Gym bags are at the end of each barre this adds to the realism of the scene. The lighting is high-key, the sort you would normally see in a studio and the colour is warm.

After this shot you have an over the shoulder shot that focuses on a man and behind him the other dancers are blurred, this shows that the main character only focuses on him and the other dancers don't worry her. He is wearing a white button down shirt with a black scarf around his neck, this can show that he primarily is good but then he has a dark side to him. His body posture is tense and he is looking down on her, this makes the audience feel that he is judging her.

This then changes to a close up of Natalie Portman's face, the background is blurred, and this can show that she feels that nothing matters apart from herself and the man. Her face is focused and taut, Portman's makeup is minimal which shows that she is either in a ballet company that doesn't allow makeup or that she doesn't care for it and that she only cares for her dancing. Her hair is in a tight bun this highlights her minimal style. She is wearing a white top, a dainty gold necklace that we can't see all of and she is then wearing small earrings that are pink, they look to be in the shape of a heart and are crafted from a gemstone, it looks to be rose quartz, this can show that she wants to look natural but still wears expensive things to show that she is superior than others.

The shot then cuts to a woman who looks to be in her mid 40's and is wearing slightly similar style, a neat bun, a dainty gold necklace, medium size earrings and a black top, this shows that she is professional and cares about her appearance by the medium amount of makeup she wearing. The walls in the background are covered in a floral pattern with a green trim; this makes the audience feel that this is an old house. The lighting on the woman is very warm and bright, high-key lighting, showing that she is a very good part in Portman's life whereas the background has quite a cold look to it, meaning that the character doesn't care for the house. 

We then see Natalie Portman's character that is also in a warm light, high-key, in this shot we see circles under her eyes that we could not see in the shot before, this could mean that she doesn't show her weaknesses when at work but at home she can relax.

It then cuts to a shot where Portman is stretching and is rolling her foot; it looks as if she is in pain but fails to show it. Her head is cut off in the frame making the viewer only focus on her stretching this shows that it is important. In the background we see books piled on top of each other, so that she likes to read but doesn't spent a lot of time doing it because she is busy practicing so it is in the background of her life.

After we see her stretching again but we also can't see her face like before, this can mean that people look at her body not her face which in her line of work is understandable because the audience can't see her facial expressions. She is wearing grey jogging bottoms and a pink top, the colour grey represents control so it can show that she is in control of her body and the colour pink shows passiveness, love and feminine qualities. She is stretching in front of a mirror this shows that she regularly looks at her body and evaluates it, this could put the thought in the audiences head that maybe she is too hard on herself.

This is the part of the trailer that I analysed: 

By analysing the mise-en-scene in Black Swan it has helped me notice the intricate details of the scene and know why they have been placed there, this will help when we film our main task.