Analysing mise-en-scene through still image

Analysing mise-en-scene through still image

Throughout this still image there are many representations of the characters through the use of a variety of types of mise-en-scene.

Firstly the idea of how hair and makeup represent the specific characters- the older female character has hair that has been highlighted as we are able to see the contrast of tones in the colour of her hair, this shows how she takes pride in her appearance to actually spend the time and money to create a style to her hair. She also has a short cropped style that has obviously been styles to look volumised and neat, this is a style that lots of business women would have as it generally looks formal without losing her trend. Her hair doesn’t look in the best condition as it looks dry because the lighting in the room doesn’t reflect a shine of glossiness to her hair. This could represent that she is has a hectic or stressed lifestyle as it is common for women to take less time in caring for their hair, but also it could show that she is middle aged as the condition of her hair could reflect her age. Her makeup is fairly plain at first sight but as the light is shown to highlight her face it enhances the idea that she has used makeup to contour the bone structure of her face which could show that she is essentially trying to look younger than she is, maybe to impress the male also sitting at the table.

The man is not wearing any makeup or effects as he is represented as a stereotypical masculine figure so it would be seen as strange for him to wear a more feminine product. He has short dark hair, which is swept to one side through the use of a wax/gel which gives a formal look, as he is seen as a typical father figure this is a style that would give him a mature, formal appearance. Through the sides of his hair he is shown to have a receding hairline which could show how he is an older character or that like the woman he also has a lot of stress in his life that would cause him to have early hair loss.

The young girl has plain hair that looks natural in colour and style; she has also tied it into a low ponytail which is a typical style to be worn by a young girl and shows innocence or youth. The makeup she is wearing includes heavy black eye makeup and dark red lips, this shows how as a teenager she is trying to grow up fast, red is a colour symbolic of sexualisation which could be the dilemma that the family are discussing.

The woman’s costume mainly consists of a pale blue silk shirt which links to the idea of her being wealthy as silk is seen as a luxurious material. The shirt also has sexual references as the style and material choice makes it look like nightwear. The blue colour could have a hidden deep meaning as blue is generally associated as being a colour representing males rather than females so could show how she is seen as someone who is inferior to her male partner, or that she is dressing purely for the satisfaction of her husband, trying to impress him which links to the idea of the male gaze by Laura Mulvey. She is also wearing rings which could symbolise her wealth or that she is married, possibly to the male also seated at the table.

The older man is wearing a formal costume which reflects his age and makes him look like a father figure or business man as it consists of typical officewear: a shirt with a collar and a neutral coloured sweater.

The young girl is again wearing a costume that reflects her age as it is modest because of its full length sleeves and high rounded neckline and also consists of stripes and patterns which is a type of clothing that it usually worn by younger children as it is seen as more fun rather than formal or mature.

The woman’s body language seems to suggest that she is inferior to the other characters at the table as she is sat upright but looks to be hiding herself in a tense position and her hands are awkwardly hovering above the table. Her facial expression also adds to this idea as she doesn’t look happy at all, she looks to be depressed or annoyed by the situation that she is in, maybe a family argument or disagreement.

The older man’s body language makes him look to be explaining something or even interrogating the younger girl as he is lent forward over the table. He also seems to be tense as his fists are clenched showing that he is either extremely enthusiastic about what he is talking about or that he is aggravated by the situation. His facial expression is hard to tell as he is facing away from the camera towards the young girl- he looks like he is screwing his face up which could tell a variety of emotions from smiling to confusion.

The young girl is slouched disrespectfully over the table as if to show that she is not interested in the conversation that she is having with what looks like her father. Her facial expression shows despair at the situation, it’s a sarcastic expression that shows how her head is tilted as if looking down at her father’s thoughts.

The lighting is generally aimed towards the young girl as the candles and light reflecting off of the crystal vase is generally in her direction. This could mean that the man and woman are having problems with their relationship and she is either the main cause for this or that she is the light that is keeping their relationship together. The light coming through the windows also highlights the father and daughter but the woman is shown to be in the dark, meaning that she could be segregated from the other characters conversation or even relationship as a whole.

The framing of the image shows how each character is spread apart however the girl is central to the older characters as if representing that she is holding their relationship together but at the same time getting between them. The props are mainly in front of the girl showing how she could feel crowded or overprotected by her parents. The wide shot shows a large table which gives off the impression that the family are wealthy as it fits into the large room that they are in.

The props in the background of the scene are shaded out by the darkness behind them although on the table we can clearly see that the older characters are drinking wine from expensive looking crystal table ware. The flowers on the table are red which symbolises the idea of love and hate in the family, meaning that although they love each other it doesn’t stop arguments and hostility from occurring. The table ware is also blue like the woman’s costume which could indicate that although the woman would typically lay the table, the man’s influence in her life is shown through the colours used as blue is a typical masculine colour.

Although as an audience we do not know the exact occupation of these characters from the still image, through the use of costume and general style we can guess what type f work influences their appearance. The man looks like a typical businessman maybe working in a well paid office job in a city. The young girl’s skin is healthy and glows in the light showing that she is young so it would be expected that she is still a student at school. The older woman can be seen in more of a variety of ways as typically because of her clothing and how nicely the house is laid out it would be expected that she was a house-wife however her formal hairstyle makes her look like she works for a formal business maybe as a writer or office worker.