Guide to a Mise-en-scene

 Hey, mediastudiers. In this class, we were assigned to watch a movie or tv show that may provide the inspiration for our project and describe the 4 mise-en-scene areas which are setting, lighting, costume, and staging. The arrangement of scenery and stage assets in a play is known as mise-en-scene. It literally translates to "setting the stage," but in cinema analysis, it refers to everything that happens in front of the camera, including set design, lighting, and performers. In the film, the overall impact of how everything comes together for the audience is known as mise en scene. Mise en scene includes sets, props, lighting, costumes, and shot composition (which is the way you put together a shot for a scene). It's used to enhance films from a collection of moving pictures to a work of art. Something with a lot of mood and passion that grabs the attention of the audience and sticks with them forever.

I chose to write my assignment on season 1 episode 10 of Station 19 'Not Your Hero'. Station 19 is a tv show I have recently become obsessed with as it is situated in Seattle, Washington, and is a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy. The series focuses on the men and women that work at Seattle Fire Station 19. The show spawns from action and drama genre, meaning it will be fast-paced, dramatic, and intense. 

        Station 19 Season 1 Episode 10 

Here's a little summary of this episode; The team is dispatched to a major skyscraper fire.

Setting

In this episode, the main location is the fire station. The fire station is where the firefighters train, eat, and work. It is like a home away from home for the firefighters that work there. Station 19 is not like traditional fire stations that have a red exterior, they have black color with glass doors and windows. Station 19 takes place in Seattle, Washington on a quiet street which is good for a fire station. Since the show was a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy which was currently airing in the same city, the location was perfect to help tie in guest appearances from Grey's and for crossovers. It is a big station with space to hold their two fire trucks, equipment, an area to train, and a kitchen. In this episode, the team goes on a rescue to put out the fire in a skyscraper and help the people to evacuate. In the station, main characters Andy Herrera and Jack Gibson fight for the opportunity to be captain of the station after the last captain resigned due to health issues. The station treats everyone in it like family because family and friendship are important, especially in that line of work.

                  

Lightning

Lighting is very important in a scene because it helps to set the mood of the scene. In this scene, Gibson is stuck on the floor where the fire has spread exponentially. Herrera pleads to him to find a way to save himself. The scene takes place in an elevator shaft where the lighting is dark, but the characters are clearly visible. This helps to set a dramatic and solemn tone shown between the characters. This scene makes heavy use of low-key lighting, which provides contrast and drama to the scenario. The lighting helps to highlight each the character's situation This style of lighting may be achieved by combining the main light and the rear light in a two-point lighting setup. 

Costume

In this episode, like any other episodes, the costume or clothes were mainly regular firefighter gear. Everyone wears the same outfits for safety reasons and wears the insignia of the fire department and of their station to differentiate from the other stations. The firefighter gear or turnout gear are very important to the safety of the firefighters. They not only keep the firefighters safe from the elements, but they also keep the clothing at a constant temperature.

Turnout gears can refer to just the trousers, boots, and jacket, or the whole mix of personal protection equipment and personal protective apparel. 

Staging

The positioning and movement of items in the frame, as well as the camera, is known as staging a scene. The majority of people consider scene staging methods to be a minor aspect of cinematography, which is somewhat correct. A cinematographer's duty includes not just lighting a scene, but also collaborating with the director to design camera placement, movement, and framing. In this scene of the episode, the station gathers around the red table in the kitchen (not shown) to surprise Warren and celebrate him making it out of 50 fires with the help of his wife Dr. Miranda Bailey. The team is spread out around the table facing the direction Warren would enter from. This lets the audience know that Warren would be in for a surprise before he entered the room.