Mise-en-Scene, Visual Style & Iconography

In scriptwriting it is essential that the mise-en-scene, visual style & iconography all come across in your story, characters and writing style or the director, actors and cinematographer may struggle to recreate your creative vision. 

> Firstly, 'mise-en-scene' means 'within the frame' referring to all elements in the frame that influence the mood or tone of the scene including set, costume, props, make up & hair, performance etc. 

 > Other things like lens, filters, the type of film stock, transitions, focus, screen size and off screen space should also be considered when setting a mood or tone however are not included under muse-en-scene as they are not themselves seen within the frame.

> The camera shot and movement itself can also effect the audiences feelings towards the scene, for example a low angle shot of a subject can make the audience feel more powerful whereas a high angle can make the audience feel weaker or mere vulnerable. 

Deciding the genre of your piece and including conventions from that specific genre can help the audience easily identify more with the plot and characters as they will recognise certain relatable aspects. 

> Genres are built from a repetition of visual language through iconography, building a clear connection with objects or traits and that genre. Meaning things like lasers and aliens are associated with Science Fiction, whereas ponchos and saloons fit into the Western genre.

> Due to the evolving nature of cinema there are now multiple hybrid genres such as Rom/Coms, Action Adventure or Space (Sci - Fi) Westerns. This is to combat audiences getting bored of films that simply repeat the same formula.

> Genres are shaped by the time they are in as social, cultural and economic factors all effect what people can and want to watch. For example, Film Noir developed in the late 30's and powered through til about the early 50's. It has a anti - classical style, unbalanced composition and draws attention to the style purposefully. This is all related to the genres heavy moods and sex or death related story lines which at the time were written to make a point of the politics of gender by using an excess of erotic and threatening imagery. Not only this but it was around this time that the economy was struggling and Film Noir was cheap and easy to produce, using studios in the night.