Genre Research Case Study

 Mise en scene in film

For section 3 of the part a mid-term, the symbolic codes of the film were analyzed such as Mise en scene. I personally worked on this section of the mid-term, analyzing seven key parts of Mise en scene. These include setting, set design, acting, costume hair & makeup, color, composition, lighting, and tone. 

The key information I learned in this section are how elements such as setting, acting, and set design can connote meaning in a film. Adding to the overall plot of the movie. To do this, I got frames from different parts of the movie, and identified its denotative and connotative meanings. All the information pertaining to this is below.

Section 3: Symbolic codes in film.  

Mise en scene 

1. a. Setting 

1. 1. Define setting in a film? 

Setting is the time and place the sequences of a film take place. 

2. 2. Why is it significant to film production? 

Setting is significant in film production, as it creates the basis of where a sequence of scenes will take place, building meaning to the narrative. For instance, it gives context of a character's actions in a story and creates the mood. 

3. 3. What are the elements of the setting?  (See the codes handbook or ppt. lessons.) 

The elements of the setting include the time period, location, climate/season, landscape, culture, and social and economic status.

 

Elements	Denote each element noticed in the film opening.	Indicate the signs and connotations that support the genre. How do the elements of setting in the film opening clip indicate or support the genre of the film?
• Time period	Old cartoons  Vintage camera footage  Toys  Juice boxes	Old cartoons, vintage camera footage, toys, and juice boxes indicate that the opening scene took place in Black Widow’s childhood or in the 1990’s. The time period, which is based in the 1990’s, creates a flashback of Black Widow’s life growing up before she became a Russian spy. Establishing the action genre of this film.
• Location	Shipyard (containers)  Household for multiple kids  Black room with Tv’s adjacent to each other  Gun range	The gun range scene shown in the opening scene, where multiple little girls were training to shoot a gun, supports the genre of action in this film. Guns indicate that there will be some type of violence in the movie involving it. Establishing the idea that the movie will have action-packed scenes with fighting or violence.
• Climate / Season	Christmas tree  Presents  Stockings  Feast around a table	Christmas tree, presents, stockings, and feast around a table indicates that the opening scene took place around the Christmas season or winter. This all takes place during Black Widow’s childhood. Taking a quick glance at how she grew up as a Russian spy before she became Black Widow. This supports the adventure genre of this film, as it shows her going on a journey through spy life.
• Landscape or Outdoors / City / Country / Sea / Land / Desert.	Dark containers  City buildings  Indoors	Dark shipping containers, city buildings, and indoors indicate that the movie takes place in an urban area. Establishing the genre of action as most of these movies take place in a city or urban area such as New York.
• Culture / People (Moral attitudes/ core beliefs.)	Russian accent  Russian letters    Two close sisters	The opening scene does not pertain to a certain culture or population of people. It establishes the moral attitude or core belief of the action film, which is that family is of utmost importance. Emphasizing the theme that Black Widow will fight for family throughout the film.
• Social and Economic status	Orphaned girls  Old worn-out clothes  Dust and Dirt on body	Orphaned girls, old worn-out clothing, and residue of dirt on body indicates that the social or economic status is lower class. Supports the adventure part of the genre, as it shows how Black Widow grew up in the lower class and eventually fights to become a famous avenger.

2. b. Set Design 

1. 1. Define set design in a film. 

Set design is the creation of a physical space in which a selection of scenes will take place. 

Elements	Decor	Props
Definitions	Everything that appears before the camera and is used to build meaning in a scene. This can include paintings, furniture, and lighting.	Objects used on stage or screen such as a gun, taser, or baton.
How do the set design elements define meaning from the characters, story and connect audiences to the film’s genre?  Set design elements such as props and decor help to give the audience a glimpse of a character’s personality, connotate where and when the story takes place, and create an image that can convey a certain mood relating to the genre.   Indicate the signs and connotations that support the genre.   Some examples of signs shown in the opening credits that support Black Widow’s genre, action, are guns being used at a gun range. This indicates that the characters using the gun range are training to eventually use guns in a real-life situation. Supporting the fighting and violent elements of action movies.   Add an image showcasing décor and describe the décor, such as the floor, walls, ceiling, or objects in the space.  Select a prop that is significant in the film opening.
Image
Document and describe the selected elements.	The décor of this scene is Christmas theme. The floor is decorated with a red carpet, the walls are decorated with Christmas stockings, and there are presents and a Christmas tree in the scene.	The décor of this scene is meant to mimic a traditionally family home. Where the walls are lined with paintings and bookshelves. The ceiling has an overhead light. Black Widow’s family is sitting around a table eating food, solidifying the idea of a family home.
What connotations do you connote from the elements?	This connotates that it is Christmas or winter season and evokes a sense of jolliness or togetherness.	The family sitting together around a dinner table connotates that they are family-oriented and evokes a sense of togetherness.

3. c. Acting  

1. 1. What is acting in the film? 

Art of human representation in a film. 

2. 2. What are the elements of the acting? (Select (1) character and analyze their appearance.) (See ppt. lessons) 

Elements of acting include casting, appearance, facial expressions, body language, mannerisms, vocal quality. The character that I will be analyzing is Black Widow or Natasha Romanoff.  

Elements	Definitions	How do the acting elements define meaning from the character and support the film’s genre?  The acting elements, which include appearance, facial expression, body language, voice quality, personality, actions and roles all contribute to character development, creating tension or building the narrative in a film.
		Document the acting elements of the chosen character.	Indicate the signs and connotations that support the genre.
Appearance	Appearance is the physical look of someone or something.	As seen in the image, Black Widow’s appearance suggests she is a spy or operative. This is shown by her weapon holsters, guns, and batons along with her suit.	Signs: gadget belt, guns holsters, batons, wrist gauntlets    Connotation: Black Widow is a trained combat operative.
Facial expression	A facial expression conveys a certain emotion being emitted by a character or the way they react to a situation.	As seen in the image, Black Widow facial expressions suggest she is crying, but is happy to see her sister, Yelena.	Signs: Crying, eye-contact with sister    Connotation: Black Widow is happy to see her sister alive and well. Indicating that a traumatic event occurred involving Black Widow’s sister such as almost dying.
Body Language: Gestures, posture, and body contact	Body language is the way actors control their bodies. This can be through gestures, posture, and body contact.	The scene in the image shows the red guardian hugging Black widow and her sister, Yelena. Black Widow and her sister's body language is shown by the way they hug the red guardian, their facial expression, and feeling of being uncomfortable.	Signs: Lack of enjoyment, upset or uncomfortable look, and non-embracement of hug.     Connotation: Black Widow and her sister, Yelena, are mad at the red guardian for something he did in the past. Also shows they are not excited to reunite with him, as shown by non-embracement of the hug.
Vocal qualities: Tone of voice, accent, the pace of speech	Vocal qualities are variations in the way someone speaks. Where the way a character says dialogue may connote something more important than what is stated. These variations include volume, speed, and tone of voice when speaking.	Black Widow’s voice quality can be seen as calm and soft.	Signs: gentle or soft volume, medium pace of speech, and calm tone of voice    Connotation: Black Widow or Natasha Romanoff is an introverted, calm, but confident person.
Personality	Personality refers to an individual's patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.	Black Widow’s personality is introverted but knows how to have fun with friends and family.	Signs: laughter, drinking, subtle smiles    Connotation: Black Widow likes to have a good time with friends and family.
Role	A role is the character you play in a movie to build the narrative.	Notasha Romanoff’s role in this movie is playing a bad-ass female avenger named, Black Widow. Also, she is the adopted daughter of the red guardian and sister of Yelena.	Signs: White suit with red hourglass symbol, gadget belt, weapon holsters    Connotation: Natasha Romanoff is a bad-ass operative that was once or currently in an organization. Weapons indicate she has combat expertise.
Actions	Actions are decisions made by characters in a movie to accomplish a goal.	All Natasha Romanoff’s actions in the movie are made for one goal, killing General Dreykov, the main antagonist or villain of the movie.	Signs: fighting pose, confident look, and weapons    Connotation: Black Widow is going to engage in combat with some type of enemy to achieve her goals.

3. Based on your understanding of casting, do you think the actors selected to play the film's characters were good choices? List (2) actors and (2) reasons why? (Support your answers using appearance, facial expressions, body language, voice quality.) 

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson was a good choice to play Black Widow because her appearance matches the Black Widow character in the comics. She pulls off the red hair color, she is Caucasian just like in the comics, and her facial and body structure matches the petite physique of the character. Another reason why she is a good choice is her body language and facial expression. Black Widow is supposed to be confident, courageous, and a fighter, which Scarlett Johansson mimics with her fighting skills and calmness in the movie.

David Harbour

David Harbour played red guardian in the film, Black Widow, and was a good choice because of his voice acting and appearance. David Harbour pulls off the image of red guardian very well by mimicking his Russian accent in the marvel comics. Additionally, his big and strong figure is perfect for his role as red guardian, as the superhero in the comics has superhuman strength.

4. d. Costume, hair, and makeup. 

1. 1. What is costume in a film? 

Costumes are clothing and cosmetics worn by actors to enhance the appearance of a specific character. 

2. 2. What is hair and makeup in film? 

Hair and makeup are cosmetics used to help actors portray their characters and create a specific look.  

3. 3. List 3 genre factors that influenced the costume design in the film. 

The fact that the movie Black Widow is a superhero film influenced the suits made for the heroes in the movie. A species of spiders named black widows influenced the red hourglass on Black Widow’s suit. The idea that Black Widow is a spy and should not stick out influenced the black color scheme on suit.  

4. 4. Give a general description of the costumes used in the film.  Select characters. 

Natasha Romanoff or Black Widow’s suits were black and white, made from leather, with an hourglass symbol on her belt. Another character by the name of Red Guardian wears a red and white leather suit with a white star in the middle of his chest. The side antagonist of the movie named Taskmaster wears full body armor plates, a skull mask, and leather clothing with a color scheme of navy blue and orange.

Images	Document visual signs by observing the time period, character’s station (social standing), sense of place, color, tone, style, etc.)	What does the costume indicate about the character, setting, and purpose of the story?
Hair and makeup	In this scene there are signs such as fires, smoke, debris, and her calm expression.  Her messy hair and rugged face with dirt on it are also signs in the image.	Black Widow’s costume indicates that she is some type of operative or hero, as shown by the typical leather and sleek design of her suit. Furthermore, it indicates that she is on a mission and establishes her purpose to most likely stop an evil force.
Costume	In this scene, Black Widow is wearing a white suit that blends in with the snow surrounding her. She also has a utility belt and strap on her back to hold weapons such as guns and knives. Lastly, Black Widow has gauntlets on her wrists that can also be used as a weapon.	This white costume indicates that Black Widow is trying to blend in with the environment to attract less attention. It also indicates that the environment or setting around her is mostly snow and cold. The weapons in her holsters and in her hand indicate that she is on an operative mission that may evolve violence.

5. How does the costume(s) support the genre of the film? 

The costumes in the film, Black Widow, consist of superhero suits and spy-wear. Indicating that a hero or group of heroes will most likely fight against an evil force, and supporting the idea that the genre of this film is action. 

5. e. Color 

1. 1. What is the definition of color in the film? 

Color in film is the types of lighting used to set the tone of a scene.  

2. 2. Indicate how color was used in the opening of the film. E.g., setting, lighting the scene and characters, costumes, etc. (Create a table to organize your information.) 

Codes	Meaning
Setting	An emphasis on shadows and dark colors in a shipyard setting means that something sketchy is going to occur like a kidnapping.
Lighting	The main lighting used in the opening credits were the flashlights of guns being pointed at little girls getting kidnapped. This evokes a sense of confusion and fear, as these girls are being forced to go somewhere they don’t want to go.
The set design (décor and props)	The set design of this scene is Christmas themed. Where decorations such as presents, stockings, Christmas lights, and a Christmas tree indicate that is it the holiday or winter season. It also creates a feeling of joy and warmth.
Costume, makeup, and hair	In this scene, four girls are wearing matching costumes or clothing that consist of the colors, red and black. This is used to mimic the primary colors of a species of spiders, named Black Widows. Also, it is used to show harmony between these characters.
Character	The only colors showed in this scene, where two girls are being kidnapped in a shipyard, is the girl's blue hair and yellow clothing. Other than that, the movie puts an emphasis on shadows to portray the girl as being put into a corner that she cannot escape.

   

3. 3.How does color support the film genre? (Look at the tone of the setting, characters, etc.) 

Colors help to set the tone of scenes in the Black Widow film. For instance, dark colors may connotate fear or feeling trapped in a corner, while light or bright colors connotate peace, tranquility, or a feeling of victory. Establishing the film's genre, action, as varying colors are used to foreshadow violence and fear in the movie.  

6. 
   

7. f. Composition 

1. a. Define composition in film. 

Composition in film is how elements on screen appear in respect to each other and within the frame.  

2. b. Define blocking in film. 

Blocking in film is the idea of working out camera positioning and camera movement in respect to an actor’s moves.  

3. c. Select a scene from the film’s opening that showcases your understanding of the genre and document how the actors' positioning and movement create meaning. 

Image	Denotation and connotations
	Denotation: Three-point landing or fighting pose    Connotation: This position that Black Widow is in indicates that she is in the middle of combat or broke her fall from an elevated point onto a surface. It also connotates that she is ready to fight anyone that comes at her, as shown by her confident look.

4. d. Define framing in film. 

Framing in film is the placement or positioning of objects or actors in a movie's shots. 

5. e. Define depth of field. 

Depth of field in film refers to the range of what is focused on in a shot.

6. f. Lighting 

1. 1. What is the lighting in the film? 

Lighting is a method used in a film to guide the eye of the audience to a specific actor, prop, or part of a scene. The type of lighting used in Black Widow was low-key, depending mostly on natural lighting.  

2. 2. Define high-key lighting. 

High-key lighting is a style used in a film that aims to reduce the lighting ratio in scenes.  

3. 3. Define low-key lighting. 

Low-key lighting is a style used in film that puts an emphasis on shadows in scenes.  

4. Select an image from the film opening to analyze. What type of lighting is used? How is lighting used in the opening of the film, and what tone does it communicate meaning? 

Image	Denotation and connotations
	Denotation (Lighting): High-key lighting    Connotation: High-key lighting is used in this scene to give it a natural look. Taking advantage of the sunlight to brighten this scene. This bright lighting connotates a tranquil or peaceful tone in a suburban neighborhood. Giving the audience the idea that the neighborhood is safe and is just a regular quiet town.

7. g. Tone  

1. 1. What is the tone in the film? 

The tone of the film is dark and depressing in the first half of the movie but evolves to be optimistic as she reunites with her family members.  

2. 2. What type of tone was created in the film, and what mise en scene elements were used to make it? (Color, lighting, camera angle, setting, etc.) 

A depressing tone was created in the film, especially in the opening credits of Black Widow. The setting of the opening credits was in a shipyard at night, where little girls were being abducted and forcefully taken to a facility to train to be spies. This gives off an ominous and dark tone, making the audience feel sympathy for these little girls. Another mise en scene element used to create a depressing tone, was the acting of these abducted girls. As these girls were being abducted, they were screaming and crying for help, indicating fear or distress. Lastly, gloomy music being played in the background of the opening scene indicated that the tone is dark or depressing.