Mise en scène

mise en scène

A French term that literally means “placing on stage”.

In context to the film and theater, it refers to everything that appears before the camera or stage, including set design, lighting, costume, props and actors.

Why is mise en scène important?

It is crucial in creating the tone, atmosphere, and emotional impact of a film or play.

Set Design and location

refers to the physical surroundings of a scene, whether a natural location or an artificial set.

Set Design and Location: Black Panther

• The film is set primarily in Wakanda, a fictional African nation that blends traditional African culture with futuristic technology.

• The set design emphasizes the rich history, natural landscapes (lush forests, waterfalls), symbolizing pride in African heritage and a vision of Black excellence.

• The urban environments are sleek, technologically advanced, yet infused with natural elements like Vibranium deposits.

Set Design and Location: Wonder Woman

• The movie alternates between the mythological island of Themyscira, a paradise filled with Greek-inspired architecture and lush landscapes, and the war-torn settings of World War I Europe.

• The contrast between the vibrant, peaceful world of Themyscira and the dreary, war-ravaged world of man emphasizes Diana’s journey from an idealistic heroine to a world-weary warrior.

• The sets are often grounded in historical reality, focusing on gritty, muddy trenches and bombed-out buildings.

Set Design and Location: Comparison

• Both films use their respective set designs to highlight the hero’s origin — Black Panther’s Wakanda represents a utopian vision of African futurism, while Wonder Woman’s Themyscira reflects ancient, untouched perfection.

• In contrast, Wonder Woman’s World War I setting is starkly historical, while Black Panther’s Wakanda is a fantastical vision of what could have been without colonialism.

Lighting: Comparison

• “Black Panther” employs a futuristic, almost ethereal lighting to showcase Wakanda’s vibrancy and advanced civilization, while “Wonder Woman” uses a more realistic, somber lighting scheme to reflect the brutal realities of war.

• Both films use lighting to enhance the emotional tone of the environments: Wakanda’s warmth vs. Europe’s coldness

Costumes and Makeup: Comparison

• “Black Panther” uses traditional African motifs to ground the characters in cultural pride and authenticity, whereas “Wonder Woman” relies on Greco-Roman design to showcase the Amazons as warriors of myth.

• Both films emphasize heritage through costumes, but the cultural reference points differ significantly.

Props: Black Panther

• The key prop in “Black Panther” is Vibranium, the precious metal that powers Wakanda’s technology.

• The Black Panther suit itself, with its kinetic energy absorption, is another prop that embodies the mix of tradition and futurism, symbolizing both T’Challa’s royal lineage and his role as a protector.

Props: Wonder Woman

• Diana’s Lasso of Truth, shield, and sword are central props, symbolizing her status as a warrior chosen by the gods.

• Her weapons are steeped in mythology, and the lasso in particular reflects her pursuit of truth and justice.

Props: Comparison

Both films use props to symbolize the hero’s power and legacy, but while “Black Panther” grounds these in technology and science fiction, “Wonder Woman” ties them to mythology and divine destiny.

Positioning and Movement of Actors

The blocking (positioning) of actors in relation to each other and the camera can influence how their relationships and emotions are perceived.

Positioning and Movement of Actors: Black panther

• The movement in “Black Panther” is often graceful and fluid, reflecting both the regal nature of T’Challa and the agility of the Dora Milaje.

• The film emphasizes the tight-knit, hierarchical society of Wakanda with scenes that show respect and ritual, like the throne room battles.

Positioning and Movement of Actors: Wonder Woman

• Diana’s movements are powerful and dynamic, reflecting her Amazonian strength.

• Her physicality is emphasized in battle scenes where she dominates with speed and precision.

• Her posture often conveys confidence and empathy, particularly when she steps into battle during the No Man’s Land scene, symbolizing her courage and determination.

Positioning and Movement of Actors: Comparison

Both films emphasize the physical prowess of their heroes, but while “Black Panther” often highlights fluid, graceful movements in a royal and ceremonial context, “Wonder Woman” focuses on Diana’s powerful, straightforward combat skills in a war setting.

Composition

Refers to how the elements are arranged within the frame

Composition

Both films use composition to place the hero as the focal point, but “Black Panther” often emphasizes T’Challa’s leadership in a more composed, ceremonial manner, while “Wonder Woman” uses composition to emphasize Diana’s bravery in battle.

Framing

The way the camera frames a scene or a character can shape the auidence’s perception

Framing: Black Panther

The composition often centers around T’Challa, framing him as a regal and grounded leader.

Framing: Wonder Woman

The framing often places Diana at the center of chaotic environments, emphasizing her role as a beacon of hope in dark times.

Framing: Comparison

Both films use composition to place the hero as the focal point, but “Black Panther” often emphasizes T’Challa’s leadership in a more composed, ceremonial manner, while “Wonder Woman” uses composition to emphasize Diana’s bravery in battle.

Colour

Colour palette is a powerful tool for creating mood and symbolism

Colour: Black Panther

• Color is one of the most distinctive aspects of the film, with vibrant, rich colors used in Wakanda, especially deep purples, reds, and golds.

• These colors convey royalty, wealth, and tradition.

• The use of color also extends to the contrast between T’Challa’s Black Panther suit and Killmonger’s golden one, reflecting their differing approaches to power.

Colour: Wonder Woman

• The film is more muted in its color palette, reflecting the bleakness of war.

• Themyscira is brighter with lush greens and blues, but the majority of the film in Europe is washed in grays, browns, and muted colors, emphasizing the grim realities of World War I.

Colour: Comparison

“Black Panther” is vibrant and celebratory with its use of color, symbolizing cultural richness, while “Wonder Woman” uses a more subdued palette to emphasize the horrors of war and Diana’s role as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

Diegetic sounds

(those originating within the story world) like footsteps or wind, and non-diegetic sounds (like background music) all contribute to the overall atmosphere

Diegetic sound: Black Panther

The diegetic sounds in “Black Panther” are deeply rooted in African cultural motifs. These sounds anchor Wakanda in its rich, ancestral roots, creating a sense of authenticity and cultural pride.

Diegetic sound: Wonder Woman

The film uses more conventional diegetic sounds typical of war films, such as the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and the clatter of swords in battle. These sounds ground the viewer in the harsh reality of World War I and reinforce the contrast between the mythical world of Themyscira and the gritty, destructive human world.

Sound: Comparison

• “Black Panther” uses sound to immerse the audience in African cultural identity, blending traditional music with modern elements to symbolize the clash between tradition and the future. In contrast, “Wonder Woman” uses sound to emphasize her mythological origins and the brutal realities of war, with a heroic, epic theme that underscores her determination.

• While “Wonder Woman” leans more into conventional orchestration with a heroic feel, “Black Panther” weaves in contemporary hip-hop and African sounds to highlight its themes of heritage and identity.

• Both films use silence powerfully to enhance emotional beats, but “Wonder Woman” often contrasts silence with the chaos of war, while “Black Panther” uses it more to underscore spiritual and ceremonial moments

Acting style

• The performance of actors, including their delivery of lines, facial expressions, and body language, falls under mise-en-scène as it contributes to the visual storytelling.

• Acting can range from realistic to highly stylized, depending on the director’s vision

Acting style: Comparison

Both films feature strong supporting casts that elevate their protagonists, though “Wonder Woman” leans more on the mentor-mentee dynamic between Diana and Steve, while “Black Panther” explores themes of family and legacy through the relationships between T’Challa and the other Wakandans.

Overall Purpose of Mise-en-scène

The mise-en-scène is critical because it shapes how viewers interpret and emotionally connect with the story.