Romeo & Juliet LO: to develop our knowledge of film conventions, terminology and how to read film OCR GCSE Literature Unit A1661: literary Heritage Linked Texts Lesson 1Lesson 2Lesson 3Lesson 4 Week 3 Film conventions Mise en scene

STARTER Mise en scene W hat could be happening in each of the images? What types of film do they come from? Can you guess anything about the characters feelings/ personalities/ status/ jobs?

Mise en scene This term literally translates to mean Mise en scene To put on stage The placing of a scene This term is used to describe those visual aspects that appear within a single shot.

Task 1: in pairs, discuss what elements of a film this would include (5) (consider what you know about media texts like posters)(5) We can generally divide items up into the following: 1.Costume 2.Lighting and colour 3.Props 4.Scenery 5.Layout and positioning We can get information about: characters and their relationships; themes and ideas explored; we can make predictions about the plot and what will happen next How would you READ this scene?

Task 2: make notes of the following rules you must apply to successfully read mise en scene 1.There is nothing in shot that has not been considered- the director (and his team) have spent months planning, discussing and making choices about how to communicate ideas on stage... I told you...we need to film in the middle of the day to get the shadows just right!!!

1. Nothing is by chance... The wall paper is striped and pale for a reason! Possibly to show that they are imprisone d (bars of a prison) or controlle d in some way It’s dark outside but not only to suggest it’s night but also to suggest the lady in front is literally in the dark/ without knowledge Many of the characters have the same pale/ neutral colours for a reason! Usually to show a common goal, happy relationship, connection...

2. The closer something is the more empowered it becomes... The director wants us to pay attention to it therefore he brings it (literally) to the front of the scene...

She’s in the middle but they are both at the front of the stage. Is the play about their relationship? Do the other characters play supporting roles to them? The only person who’s face we can’t see is in red and sitting between and behind the two main characters... Does he keep them a part? Are they aware of his intrusion? Not at this point in the play because he’s not obvious to them... Just as he’s not obvious to us from his position. 2. The closer something is the more power it has.

3. The right-hand side of the screen is most powerful. As you know from studying media posters and layout, we read from to Meaning the last thing we see is on the right...most powerful side.

3. The right hand side is the most powerful Yes they are further right but why are they not the most powerful? As she is at the front of the stage she has power and from the two people at the front, she is farthest right...she probably controls the relationship!!!

TASK 3: look at your copy of the scene shown below and fill in the details as we discuss them

Focus on what the mise en scene tells us about the characters and their relationships scenerycostumecolourprops Layout and positioning

scenerycostumecolourprops Layout and positioning Focus on what the mise en scene tells us about the characters and their relationships

Task 3: in pairs, discuss and then annotate this third image again focusing on character and relationships (5) (5) scenery costume colour props Layout and positioning

Task 4: join with another pair and as a group; choose one of the other two images and discuss the following

How is the character of Romeo portrayed in both stills taken from Act 1 scene 5 3 groups How is the character of Juliet portrayed in both stills taken from Act 1 Scene 5 OR

How is the character of Romeo portrayed in both stills taken from Act 1 scene 5 How is the character of Juliet portrayed in both stills taken from Act 1 Scene 5 OR Plenary: present the ideas you discussed to the rest of the class.

Romeo & Juliet LO: to develop our knowledge of film conventions, terminology and how to read film OCR GCSE Literature Unit A1661: literary Heritage Linked Texts Lesson 1Lesson 2Lesson 3Lesson 4 Week 3 Film conventions mise en scene