Analyzing Mise en scene

 Introduction

    Mise en Scene is the arrangement and usage of tools in order to set the stage of a film or movie. For this assignment, I am analyzing the graphic organizer we made for our chosen movie (see last post). The movie we chose is Barbie and its genre/subgenres are romance and comedy. The main theme the film producers are communicating is feminism and self-confidence. The opening of the movie includes young girls who are playing with baby dolls and treating them as if its their own children. This sounds innocent until the movie explains how young girls in the past were pressured by society to grow up and be mothers/housewives. An enlarged version of the first Barbie introduced in 1959 appears and the girls are in awe and become inspired by her confidence and independence. They then destroy their baby dolls trashing them which  represents the destruction of gender norms and ideals placed by society. The film producers introduce the elements of mise en scene by deliberately using a darker lighting or brown traditional dresses for the children, and Barbie wearing a black and white swimsuit followed by a red lip.  The main message the director, Greta Gerwig, is trying to communicate is that Barbie became a role model for young girls around the world by breaking gender stereotypes and expectations. 

Setting

Definition

Setting is the place and time the film takes place, as well as the environment of the film.

The setting is a desert-like environment that is very dry and dark. It is also looks old fashioned too with the colors used.

Message: This world is very boring and tiring.

The atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: The mood is encouraging and rebellious.

Location (Where and geographic description):Desert/barren land

Time Period:1959;20th century

Time of Day: Daylight

Culture/moral values of the setting:

Job title: Set Decorator or Builder

Acting

Definition: Acting is the practice of portraying a character through expressions, dialogue, and body language.

The acting is good at representing happiness and inspiration.

Message: She is trying to encourage the little girls in this scene to rebel against fascist, gender norms.

Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: The mood is revolutionary and encouraging.

Character portrayed: Barbie doll

Character appearance:  A tall woman who is attractive.

Character actions: She is smiling in happiness and encouragement.

Facial expressions and body language:

Voice quality/ tone: No voice in this scene.

Job title: Actor or Actress

Set Design: Décor and Props

Definition: Set design and props are the tools and materials use to set the stage and contribute to the setting of a movie.

Set design (décor and props)

Message:It deluvers a message that this scene takes place during older times where brown clothes were worn more and tea was a common staple.

Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:

Décor: The décor is the blue teapots with the brown clothes of the dolls.

Props:The props used in this scene aare the baby dolls with the teapot set.

Job title:Set Designer

Costumes, Hair and Make-up

Definition: Costume, hair, and make-up are temporary modifications made to an actors face or body that lets them get into character and portray it easier.

The costume is oufit she is wearing along with her accessories.

The hair and make-up is the hair style of the actor or actress’s along with the produucts used on their face.

Message: Barbie is the start of a new movement of feminism and womanly strength.

Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: The mood is confident and inspiring.

Costumes: The black and white striped swimsuit and the white sunglasses, as well as ther large hoop earrings.

Hair: Straight ponytail with curly bangs

Make-up: A red lip

Job title: Costume Designer, Make-Up Artist, and Hairstylist

Lighting

Definition: Lighting is the specific arrangement of lights in a film .

The lighting is a dark lighting accompnied with a bright one in the background.

Message: The time this film takes place is dark and tiring.

Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:The mood is depressing and sad.

Light Direction: The light direction is coming from behind of where the scene takes place.

Light Source:The light source is the sun.

Light Quality: The light quality is very hard and harsh.

Job title: Lighting Technician

Composition

Definition: The angle or shot a movie is taken at.

The composition is the enlarged Barbie with the smaller girls.

Message: The barbie is a huge idol for young girls around the world.

Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: The mood is shock and surprised.

Blocking in the frame: The chaarcters are right netx to each other with the barbie in the middle.

Framing Balance: The framing balance is a mainly symmetrical.

Depth of Field: The characters are close to the camera.

Focus: The focus is on the Babrbie.

Job title: Composer

Color

Definition: The bright, dark, or neutral colors used in a scene in a movie/film.

The color is the orange and brown, as well as the beige in this image.

Message: It is a desert like environment from 20th century times.

Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence:The mood/atmosphere is revolting.

Dominant Colors: Orange and Brown

Meanings of colors: The colros are dry like the desert and also represent the sun.

Job title: Film colorist

Reflection

    The activity's objective was to help me analyze a movie using mise en scene so I could understand it more. The task's process was very lengthy and time consuming, but it was definitely worth it. I created a presentation for this assignment and the purpose of making it was to break down the movie Barbie by finding the elements of mise en scene in it. The application I used was Word and I would say I've definitely have become more proficient with mise en scene and I am advanced when it comes to it. Thanks to this exercise I've learned the specifics of mise en scene as well as what makes up the elements of mise en scene.