Mise-en-scène

The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms - Ross Murfin 2018

Mise-en-scène

Mise-en-scène: (1) In drama, the setting of a theatrical production, including the scenery and props, and, for some critics, the arrangement of actors onstage; the term is French for “put in the scene.” (2) In film criticism, the elements of the composition of a shot, i.e., everything within the camera’s purview. Articulation of this cinematic space involves framing and staging, and it includes the setting (the studio set or physical locale, as well as the props); the lighting; and the actors and their appearance (costumes and makeup), placement, and performance. Some critics restrict use of the term mise-en-scène to what appears before the camera, whereas others include camera angles, positioning, and movement. Some critics also include sound that comes from the scene itself (not from an outside source such as a voice-over), whereas others restrict mise-en-scène to visual aspects.