Mise-en-scène Case Study Assignment - Activity # 1

 Mise-en-scène Case Study Assignment - Activity # 1

Insurgent 

In this scene, there are a lot of elements of mise-en-scene. For starters, Tris, Four, and Peter are all wearing distinct costumes that tell the audience a lot about what is going on. Tris and Four are both wearing very dark, heavy-material, strong jackets. Their jacket color symbolizes their ties to the dauntless faction. Although they are both divergent and don't associate with the dauntless faction anymore, they were costumed in black to represent the fact that dauntless was always their first choice and what shaped them into what they are today. Peter is seen in a nicer and fancier costume. This is because he is part of the erudite faction and erudites are known for making others do the hard dirty work for them.  He is seen in blue, the symbol color for erudite and knowledge but also layered in a black vest which may represent his dauntless past as well. Along with costume, location and setting this took place are both crucial parts of the mise-en-scene. They are in a dystopian world where society has evolved with new technological advances that changed life. This means the characters and props must be fit to be in a scene such as this. In this scene, Four is holding a prop that has been made to fit the setting. His gun is not an average-looking gun but instead seems more advanced and dangerous. However, it is also dirty to show the past events he's recently been through. The scenery and lighting also play into the setting. The scenery is a clearly modern hall. The lights don't look like normal fixtures but instead seem more technologically advanced. The walls of this hall are concrete which may point to the idea that where they are is a dangerous building that may need the protection of concrete walls. To conclude, this scene shows the characters showing true signs of self in a dramatic scene and setting. 

Mocking Jay Part 1

This particular scene is filled with Mise-en-scene elements. For starters, the scene takes place in Katniss's old home in district 12. Katniss had come back to her home after her district was bombed and everything was destroyed but her house. Being back in her house represents who katniss was before the Hunger Games and how she's changed. The lighting in this scene is very light and etherial while at the same time highlighting the roses and katniss's distraught face. The directors did this to place emphasis on the horror the roses have struck Katniss with. Katniss is dressed in a much more casual outfit compared to her other usual costumes. She is wearing a brown plain leather jacket which represents her going back to her old ways since usually she is forced to be dressed in a fancy outfit to impress. Her outfit may be plain and lacking the pizazz her instructed outfits normally have, however, the leather jacket is stil significantly nicer than anything she used to wear when she lived in District 12. This represents the way that Katniss in her core may still be the person she was when she left, but now she has been exposed to the famous district life and will forever be affected by the money and fame. Last but not least, the prop seen in this scene holds great significance. Roses are a symbol of President Snow in this film and katniss finds this bouquet in her home after a massive bombing of her district. This is Snow's way of warning Katniss and telling her that him bombing the district was because of her. The prop of flowers is seen throughout all the films and always leaves mystery and awe invoked in the audience. All in all, this scene is showing that Katniss has changed from her new life and the events of this scene cause the audience to see how she begins to blame herself for many of the actions that have occured and continue to occur. 

Aladdin

In this scene, the characters are on a carpet ride at night. They are far away from anyone else which represents, from the audience's point of view, how no one can control love. They are also far away from their city which represents, again from the audience's point of view, that the character's roles in the city they live in doesn't define who they are or who they should be with. The lighting is dark but shines a moonlit glow on the sides of the characters which creates a romantic and peaceful tone. The characters are seen in the middle of the setting in order point the audience's eyes to the chemistry the characters are sharing. The characters costumes also represents a lot. Jasmine is all dressed up in what she calls her more "casual" outfit whereas Aladdin is dressed up in literal costume wearing something nicer than he has ever owned before. It shows how in life, her "worst" is his "best". The things she does and experiences that may not be the best to her, would be a dream for a poor, simple man like him to have. However, in this moment the character Aladdin truly transforms into the prince he has wished to be. Although nothing about him has actually changed, because of his new appearance and title he is more confident and in this still the actor does an amazing job representing that suave new confidence. Overall, this scene shows a romantic date between someone who lives a prosperous life and someone who is pretending he did. However, the scene also shows how no matter their differences, the true love cannot be torn apart by any person or role in life.