Mise-en-scene and Cinematography

Television is not often thought of as film or something that can be analyzed with literature. Many of todays shows focus on pleasing an audience instead of creating a grammy worthy film. That doesn't mean the same elements can go into its filming. Top dramas to ridiculous sitcoms have elements of a great film that deserves to be analyzed.


In this first image there is a deep space element which is a part of mise-en-scene. Taken from Game of Thrones, the image shows a castle that the charaters are approaching that is up in flames. The deep spaces shows how far the characters still have to go and what they still have to accomplish. The path ahead isn't what they expected and they will have to fix the chaos they are coming to.





Lighting can also indicate mise-en-scene. In this scene from Grey's Anatomy, the woman, Meredith, is in a coma and deciding weather or not to stay dead. The episode up to this point was dark and rainy. This is the first time where the scene is lit up with high-key lighting. It gives the audience a feeling of peace. She is almost in a godly place and the bright lights help portray that idea.




The opposite of high-key lighting is low-key lighting. In this image from Criminal Minds the man is kidnapping a girl after threatening and killing her family. He is a truly awful person and the lighting embraces that idea by creating a dark scene. The idea is to make the scene as dark as possible while still having the audience see the actions. It makes it hard to see and connect with the man as well as creating an eerie feel.

Mise-en-scene is all about the details. Costumes can send the audience subconscious messages. The character in this image is always angry and used to getting whatever he wants. He also has no mercy for anyone and when he feels threatened he wants that persons blood. The red overcoat and red tint to his hair can hint at his anger and want for violence. He is sitting on a throne and wearing a crown which shows how powerful he is weather or not he deserves it.

Decore is another way to hint at ideas. In the image there is an extravagant feast with gold glasses and candles. The clothing and candle light shows the era the show is said to be set in and the bounty of food shows the wealth of the family hosting. The main table and all the tables behind it are covered in more food than anyone could imagine eating. The idea of excess and the fine glasses and plates show wealth and power.


Cinematography is another element of film analysis and is definitely used in television shows. One camera trick that is used often is the zoom shot. In this How I Met Your Mother scene, the camera slowly zooms in on the yellow umbrella where the mystery girl who becomes the mother is hiding. In a sea of black umbrellas, the camera picks one to focus on. The audience never gets to see past the umbrella but its importance is emphasized do to the increased focus on the one umbrella.  

Another good way to focus on a key aspect of the show is by using an extreme close up shot. In House, MD.  this image shows a sick woman. The camera proceeds to go into her nose and show the audience what is wrong with her. Her illness is the focus and the whole episode is spent trying to figure out what it making her sick.




The depth of field might also emphasis an emotion or important piece of the episode.  This image shows Sherlock pointing a gun at Moriarty and his shock. The gun isn't in focus and neither is the background. This is where Moriarty almost loses his game. It is a turning point for him and all of the focus is on him.




Framing is another way to place focus on an event. In How I Met Your Mother two of the characters get married. The whole scene is shot in close ups and shots from above. The angle of framing gives the scene an intimate feel. The audience is able to look on and see the happiness. It's a looking over shot.

In the final image there is a point of view shot. The camera is looking through Meredith's eyes to her husband being held at gunpoint. It is an intense scene and seeing it through her eyes makes it more real. The emotion is more raw when it is seen through a characters eyes.