Use of the ‘mise-en-scene’ in TV Shows and Movies

Use of the mise-en-scene in TV Shows and MoviesThe use of the Mise-en-Scene in TV shows and Movies during the brook 15 years A semiotic ComparisonThe mise-en-scene has been a huge part of dash and boob tube throughout the last century and it has vastly improved during the last fifteen years. TV series such as AMCs the The walkway late(prenominal) (2010-) and HBOs gamy of Thrones (2011-) cause created a cinematic universe, that can rattling compete with block buster movies such as, 28 Days/Weeks Later (2002/2007) and The passe-partout of the Rings (2001/2002/2003). I am going to identify how the use of mise-en-scene in these two telly programs pay back affected the production values and semiology of recent television series, comp ard to the five noughties movies.Semiotics, or semiology is the study of signs and symbols and how they are interpreted by soulfulness (Monaco, 2000). A sign is composed of two things the signifier and the signified. The signifier is the form of the sign, whilst the signified is the idea or concept in which it is related to (de Saussure, 1959). Using a trichotomy of semiotics, Saussure explains how there are three concepts of a signifier the object what the sign is, the sign what we see, and the interpretation the signification/ metaphor behind the sign (Saussure, ibid). For ensample using the following part from blue of Thrones of The W altogether (Appendix I), the object would be that the Wall/ and Castle Black from Game of Thrones, the sign would be that is a elephantine wall, and the interpretation would be that the wall was built there to protect Westeros from The Others, White Walkers and Wildlings beyond it. The Wall can be seen both as denotative and connotative. They are the first and second orders of signification. Denotation is the just about literal meaning of signs, whilst Connotation is more subjective and interpretive (Barthes, 1977). Furthermore, denotation is what the image significantly represents and connotative is what the image suggests as a symbol. For example in Game of Thrones using denotation the queers Hands pin (Appendix II) represents a very high and important mortal next to the king. However when connotative, the pin is a circle with a hand in it, which symbolizes the Hand of the King.Language is a structure of symbols that prompt ideas 3 (Saussure, 1959). Ferdinand de Saussure was a semiotician whose ideas laid a foundation for many significant developments in semiology in the 20th century. His modest yet well-designed idea was to view diction as simply one of a number of system of codes of communication (Monaco, 200058). Semantics, then became merely one area of the more general study of systems of signs. Codes spot a number of areas unique codes, established art forms and cultural codes. Unique codes tend to be a montage of the process of time moving forward. launch art forms are signs and symbols through artwork and theatre performances. Cultural codes is something that is done on an everyday basis, which ends up be the norm for people. Codes are critical constructions systems of limpid relationship A great variety of codes combine to form the medium in which film expresses meaning (Monaco, 2000175).Semiotics are used in television shows and movies to help the audience identify the meaning of what they are ceremonial. For example In the movie The Lord of the Rings, audiences can use the mise-en-scene such as, bows, swords, species and costumes to recognise that the film is a sort of medieval imagine film in a un-real universe. Taken from the French meaning to place in a scene, the mise-en-scene is everything that appears in front of the television camera and its arrangement (Monaco, 2000). For example shot types, sets, props, actors, costumes, lighting etc. The mise-en-scene helps the audiences to learn about the film and television program without watching much, if not, any of the media. For exemplar audiences can discover t he genre and production values, just by the decoration of the costumes and sets. In the mise-en-scene, there are two diverse types of shots, the diachronic shot and the enclose image. The Diachronic shot is the movement in shot, therefore the emphasis is aimed at the type of shot, focus, angles, and points of views. The framed image is one shot where the emphasis is aimed at colour, prognosis ratio, compositional planes, and lighting (Monaco, ibid).Depending on the genre and whether the media is of a film or TV program, the mise-en-scene, furthermore the production values get altered and become on the whole different (Monaco, ibid). For instance Lord of the Rings is the fantasy/ adventure genre, so it could baffle a high work out because of the massive use of different locations, props, and superfluous effects. Whilst, The walkway Dead is the horror genre, meaning it could have different or less expensive use of the mise-en-scene. Lord of the Rings is a film, and The Walking Dead is a TV program, so naturally the use of mise-en-scene testament be is completely different. The production value/budget of a film is very utile in pre-production. The first phase is preparatorythe script is written, actors and technicians hired, shooting schedules and budgets planned (Monaco, 2000128). Budgets tell a director/producer if the movie will be accomplishable or high quality. Producers set a budget in preproduction, however the budget may increase by the end of the whole production because of un-expected portion such as dropped out actors, and expensive use of the mise-en-scene 1 (Monaco, 2000). Similarly, the genre is worked out during preproduction. Genre is useful because it is not only easy to write the story more or less a certain genre, moreover it also invites the correct audiences to watch the film, creating the fandom (Monaco, ibid).Research methods are split into two methodologies, primary and secondary. Primary research is research that is complete d by a researcher, for instance watching/ reviewing films, and reading newspaper/ magazine articles. Secondary research on the other hand is research that is gathered from an real primary source, for example surveys, and academic books/ journals. Content digest can be both primary and secondary as it relies on a qualitative and decimal technique. Qualitative research asks, what and why, and it is based off merely the beliefs and attitudes of a subject. Whilst, valued research asks, how many, as its data is formed by statistics and facts of the subject (Jensen Jankowski, 2002).As a quantitative method, field analysiss finding usual are sorted into numbers and percentages (Jensen Jankowski, ibid). For example the research of the heart of times a typeface is killed off in Game of Thrones, will be done using content analysis, by watching how every episode and counting every death, putting the results in categories, such as men killed by men, women killed by men, women killed b y women, men killed by women, child death, mangle, suicide, and race. This may take a while, but the results will tell the research the statistics of the different deaths in Game of Thrones. Results of this could look care the following, in the first harden 100 people died, 70% was a murder of men by men, whilst, 30% was a murder of women by men. Some strengths of quantitative content analysis is that it is an inexpensive research method, that doesnt rightfully acquire much, if not any contact with people. Researchers can learn much about a media productions target audiences and financial support (Macnamara, 2005). Weaknesses of quantitative content analysis is that the study is inadequate by availability of materials and movements in media may not be an accurate reflection of reality (Macnamara, ibid).Content analysis can be used as semiotic research by watching and analysing films and television to come up with facts about the research topic/ question. Semiotic research looks into the mise-en-scene and creates a conclusion by investigating the meaning or metaphors behind a symbol such as a prop, etc (Monaco, 2000). Strengths of qualitative content analysis are that it offers a good interpretation and explanation of a persons personal experience of a situation. It is useful for studying a limited number of cases in depth, and it can conduct cross case comparisons and analysis (Brennen, 2012). Weaknesses are that researchers find investigating rather difficult to test theories with bigger groups and the results of the research are more easily influenced by the researchers personal prejudices (Brennen, ibid).Film and television are full of semiotics, that create metaphors and meaning to the design/movie. As theyre the zombie horror genre, The Walking Dead and 28 Days/Weeks Later need to set a certain tone to gain the correct audience and to give the precise symbol to show history and maybe important information about locations, characters, and props. Ive researched into this by watching season 1 and 2 of The Walking Dead and both 28 Days and 28 Weeks Later. One of the things that I found is that they both show symbolism through their types of zombies. The Walking Deads zombies are slow, and they only have one type, which is the typical decayed zombie corpse. This could symbolize that it is an incurable infection, more than an illness. However, the zombies in 28 Days/Weeks Later are more fast paced, deadly, and with a more human look than The Walking Dead zombies. This could symbolize that, unlike AMCs zombies, it could be a mental illness like rabies. The Music of The Walking Dead and 28 Days/Weeks Later both signifies the tones of the scenes in the media. While watching the series 1 episode 4, The Walking Dead uses fast pace music in a scene where the characters are trying to get a bag of weapons from the streets of Atlanta. Because the rest of the episode was without music, this created an atmosphere of tension for this particula r scene, and identified that something bad could happen. Similarly, 28 Weeks Later does the same in the scene where there is a zombie outbreak in the safe zone, and people are running around panicking, and dying. This doesnt just give a tone of tension, but symbolizes that all hope of survival is lost.As Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings are both a completely different genres, which are Adventure and Fantasy, they will have different uses of signs and symbol. Both the movies and the series have many uses of semiotics, but while watching the media, I was most fascinated by the locations used and the characters. Game of Thrones uses up to 26 filming locations to accomplish a cinematic use of the mise-en-scene (IMDB, 2011-). Locations such as the Hverfjall volcano in the Lake Myvatin region of Northern Iceland, which was filmed in most of the icy scenes that was beyond the wall (Appendix III IV). However, unlike Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings only uses the whole of New Zea land to film the movies. One location being Tongariro National Park, which was the main setting of the Land of Mordor (Appendix V). Both Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings use these locations to indicate a realism in a fantasy universe. Game of Thrones has a lot of characters with unique personas. The Lannisters are very unique characters, with their golden hair, and smug looks, they can symbolize a lot of things (Appendix VI) and they have a parlance that could imply two things. A Lannister always pays his debts, this phrase could mean either a threat to or about enemies, or a sign of loyalty, and however in most cases in the show, it is used as a threat. Cersei Lannister is nothing but a bad person, and by looking at an image of her could imply her personality. In a scene with her, she might raise her eyebrows and stare deep in to person she is talking to eyes. This could symbolize that she is deceitful, and ready for revenge. Similarly, Lord of the Rings characters use lo oks and phrases to symbolize their persona. Golem/Smagol is a sick little creature, who has multiply personality disorder. He constantly talks to him, and has the ongoing phrase of my precious, as he talks about the one ring. This could symbolize the illness of greed and selfishness that comes with the ring. Golem is obsessed with the one ring and is dishonest and retell crossing, whilst Smagol has a more friendly and playful personality. Has both personas have the same appearance, the only way to tell apart is his facial expressions. A creepy and demeaning face will show if Golem is speaking (Appendix cardinal), whilst when Smagol is speaking, an innocent and approachable face appears (Appendix VIII) 4.The mise-en-scene effects the production budgets of a film and television programme (Monaco, 2000). The television The Walking Dead has its similarities and differences to the film series 28 Days/Weeks Later. agree to an article by Anthony Ocasio on Screen Rant, The Walking Deads production budget in season 1 was $3.4 one million million for six episodes. The budget was decreased in season 2 to $2.7 million to increase the number of episodes to thirteen (Ocasio, 2013). This of course altered the mise-en-scene majorly, from having season 1 of the show based in many locations such as a metropolis/ forest/ town/ etc, to having season 2 of the show in less locations such as the high way/ farm/ etc. Similarly like AMCs series, 28 Days Later had a smaller budget from its sequel. According to Box Office Mojo, 28 Days Later had a budget of $8 million with a runtime of 113 slenders (IMDB, 2007), whilst 28 Weeks Later had a budget of $15 million with a runtime of 100 minutes (Nash Information work LLC, 2015). This effects the mise-en-scene by the improvement in the acting and the special effects, however, the budget is still low, so the locations are pretty much the same.The Walking Dead and 28 Days/Weeks Later are examples of low budgeting in film and television. The HBO television series Game of Thrones and the Lord of the Rings movies are both highly budgeted. According to an article on Winteriscoming, Game of Thrones had a budget of $60 million in the first season, with 10 episodes, whilst in season 2 it increased by 15% to $69 million with 10 episodes (WinterisComing, 2012). There is not much difference of mise-en-scene in each series, as the budget started high, so the sets/locations were good to induce with. As the production values increased each series, so did the sets, props, and extras. Similarly, the Lord of the Rings trilogys budget started off high in the first film, but it didnt increase by much in the other two films. In The Fellowship of the Ring, the budget was $93 million with a 228 minute runtime on the extended edition (IMDB, 2001). The Two Towers had a budget of $94 million with a runtime of 235 minutes on the extended edition (IMDB, 2002). Lastly, The Return of the King also had a budget of $94 million with a 263 minu te runtime on the extended edition (IMDB, 2003). As the budget was high to begin with, the mise-en-scene was barley altered. The only explanation of the $1 million increase is the other two films had huge battle scenes, which needed the extra money for special effects, extras, and expensive camera shots 2.In conclusion, the use of mise-en-scene has been affected in film and television during the last fifteen years, due to the increase in production values. The movies will always have a greater budget, compared to television, but there are still similarities. In both film and television, the budget can increase/decrease due to the amount of footage of a production, which can alter locations, props, actors, and any other uses of the mise-en-scene 2. Producers set a budget in preproduction expensive use of the mise-en-scene 1 (Monaco, 2000). Language is used in Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings to symbolize meaning and metaphors for different characters 4. Language is a struct ure of symbols that prompt ideas 3 (Saussure, 1959). Lastly, The Walking Dead, 28 Days/Weeks Later and Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings are all completely different genres of film and television, but they all use the mise-en-scene in some way to create meaning and metaphors behind different signifiers of the film or television.ReferencesBarthes, R. (1977) Image-Music-Text. London Fontana PressIMDB. (2007) 28 Days Later. http//www.boxofficemojo.com Accessed on 13/04/2015IMDB. (2001) The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring. http//www.boxofficemojo.com Accessed on 13/04/2015IMDB. (2002) The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers. http//www.boxofficemojo.com Accessed on 13/04/2015IMDB. (2003) The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King. http//www.boxofficemojo.com Accessed on 13/04/2015IMDB. (2011-) Game of Thrones Locations. http//www.imdb.com Accessed on 18/04/2015Jensen, K Jankowski, N. (2002) A Handbook of Qualitative Methodologies for Mass Communication Research. London New York Routledge.Monaco, J. (2000) How to Read a Film. New York Oxford Oxford University Press.Nash Information Services, LLC (2015) 28 Weeks Later. http//www.the-numbers.com Accessed on 13/04/2015Ocasio, A (2013) The Walking Dead Why Frank Darabont Was Fired The Chaotic Aftermath. http//screenrant.com Accessed on 13/04/2015Saussure, de, F. (1956) Course in general linguistics. New York The Philosophical Library.WinterisComing. (2012) The finances of Game of Thrones. http//winteriscoming.net Accessed on 14/04/15Appendix IAppendix IIAppendix IIIAppendix IVAppendix VAppendix VIAppendix VIIAppendix VIIIBack to Top223974262014/2015Mark Clintworth