Film Studies: Mise-en-Scene and Production Terms

Frame

What is actually seen by the camera/on the screen.

Composition

How visual elements are arranged within the frame.

Depth of Field

The parts of a scene that are in focus vs blurry.

Blocking

An outline of where actors are and move throughout a scene and how they interact in the environment.

Proxemics

The spatial relationships between characters within the scene and how these distances convey nonverbal cues/meaning.

Choreography

Movement and dance sequences to elicit emotion and contribute to the narrative.

Location

Where the film crew records the film - could be a built set, 'on location' (the real location), or a sound studio.

Set design

Elements that visually build the world of the story - what the setting looks like.

Props

Objects and elements of the setting that the actors use.

Hand props

Physically handled or carried by the actor.

Personal props

Worn or carried by an actor.

Set props

Things the character interacts with; often furniture.

Set dressing

Set props that actors usually don't interact with, like lamps or chandeliers.

Trim props

Things hanging on the wall.

Costume

What characters are wearing.

Lighting

How light or dark the setting is shot.

Three-point-lighting

Key light (illuminating the subject from the front), fill light (compensating for the shadow from the key light), and backlight (creating an outline of the subject).

High-key light

Low contrast; nearly everything in the shot is lit.

Low-key light

Stronger contrast, typically only one light source.

Sound

Audio elements in film.

Color

The use of color in film to convey mood or tone.

Special effects

Techniques used to create illusions or enhance the visual experience.

Editing

The process of selecting and combining shots to create a finished film.