Mise-en-scene

The mise-en-scène of a film can make it realistic and believable, so it is therefore very important for the props, costumes, locations etc. used in a film to be fitting of the genre. Here are a few examples:  

The Boat That Rocked

 

 The mise-en-scène of this film, The Boat That Rocked, is very effective; the costumes that the characters are wearing are archetypal of the 1960s, the period in which the film is set. Furthermore, the references to rock music, and the fact that the majority of the film is set on a pirate radio station, reinforce the fact that the film is set in a time of youth rebellion. This is further demonstrated by the music playing, which is classic songs from the '60s, although here we see an overlap into sound.

 James Bond: Casino Royale

 

This trailer begins in black and white, which has connotations of class. This is emphasised by the fact that the men shown are all wearing suits, and there is a shot of a woman in a classy evening dress. However the audience is also made aware from the beginning that it is an action film, due to the guns and expensive-looking cars that are shown; this also has connotations of wealth, which are reinforced through the shots of gambling. Finally, the audience is made aware that glamour and attractiveness play a large part in the film, such as in the shot in which the protagonist, James Bond, is shown walking out of the sea, showing off his muscular body.  

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 The mise-en-scène in this film is interesting due to the fact that the genre of the film is both action and fantasy; the mise-en-scène therefore reflects this, initiating props such as guns and helicopters, and costumes such as military uniforms alongside fantasy animation of surreal creatures and plants. The perfect ratio of both of these genres shown in the trailer through the mise-en-scène means that both genres are emphasised and demonstrated clearly to the audience.