Mise-En-Scene in TV Dramas

Mise-En-Scene refers to everything that is staged before the camera.

Acting and figure movement:

• Characteristics
• Gestures, Expressions and Body language
• Choreography within the shot, scene and frame

Colour and Tone:

• Film Stocks, Developing processes, Tinting
• Intensity and texture of colour and contrast.
• Tone sharp, grainy, modulated.
• Natural/Artificial colours
• Black & White/Sepia/Negative - effects e.t.c

Costumes and Make Up:

• Cultural, Economic, Political Connotations of clothing and make up

Lighting:

• Harsch, Hard, Soft, Diffused, Tinted
• Naturalistic/Artificial lighting
• Creates a mood/atmosphere
  

High-key lighting:

• Bright illumination
• Few or no shadows
• Minimum contrast

Low-key lighting:

• Dim, dark lighting effect

Setting:

• Location
  
• Period and Place
• Landscapes and architecture

Three-point lighting:

• A common set up using three directions of light on a scene: from behind the subjects (backlighting).
• From one bright source (key light).
• From a dimmer source opposite the key light (fill light).

For Mise-en-scene we looked at a literary adaptation of Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

The Conventions of Literary Adaptations:

• High profile cast
• Basic character type, hero, villain e.t.c
• Big Budget for expensive location and cast
• Authenticity, recognizable period
• Largely historical accurate
• Entertaining plot
• Professional film - complicated camerawork
• Formal authentic dialogue

These conventions are followed in many dramas I have seen and will be followed in the future it gives a realistic feel and genuine atmosphere.