How to... Mise en Scene

How to… create the perfect Mise en Scene (killer’s lair)

Stage One: RESEARCH

The first stage when creating the perfect mise en scene setting is research. Make sure you look at everything related to what you are aiming for; films, TV shows, trailers can all give you great inspiration for your final product. For example, a good TV show for a lair setting is Pretty Little Liars. Look at video clips from YouTube and research still-shot images from google.

Stage 2: MAKE A LIST

Before starting anything, make a checklist of the props you will need. This will ensure there won’t be anything left behind when setting up. Allocate different jobs to different people, using their strengths in different areas.

Stage 3: SKETCH OUT A PLAN

Once you have all the components of the mise en scene you need to make a rough plan of where everything will go and how you want it to look. This can be referred back to in the setting up stage. Remember to consider that you will need to fill the whole area for continuity so consider scale. For example, a lair set up will need to have the walls completely filled up leaving no blank spaces

Stage 4: SET UP

Setting up is the key part of the filming process; get this right and everything else will fall into place. You need to refer back to earlier research and what you have planned it to look like. Take into consideration that props may need to be featured and used so put them in appropriate places in accordance to this.

Take photos of the final set up and check that you are happy with it from all angles (thinking about the specific camera shots you will use) e.g. high angle/low angle.

Stage 5: LIGHTING

Lighting is the final piece to making the perfect mise en scene. Different light intensities will create a different effect of the look of something. For example, when creating a lair you may want to use dimming, more yellow lighting such as from a candle to create that eerie atmosphere desired.