Genre Research - Mise En Scene

Mise En Scene

The features that make up the Mise En Scene of a film are generally similar within the horror genre. These features and the way they are presented help to build the tension and create an eerie atmosphere within the scene. There are features and the way they are presented in order to create the scene listed below.

Setting

Within the horror genre the settings are usually very stereotypical and with the help of the other Mise En Scene features it helps to create the atmosphere of the scene. Settings are usually selected specifically to  help the audience familiarise with the characters and the situation in which they are in. By doing this, it helps to involve the audience and cause a sense of reality. They also tend to be everyday settings such as: schools, towns, hospitals, parks, woods e.t.c. The settings used are mostly abandoned and/or run down, this is done to give the setting some history.

Lighting

The lighting throughout horror films is generally dark and dingy. This is done to help create a sense of mystery and terror in the scene. It also done like this to create shadows in which something could be hidden that the audience may not be able to see or it may be barely visible. This dark and dingy lighting is generally used during tense moments within a film as it adds to the intensity, also by doing this it helps to create relief through the change of lighting from dark to light.
 

Costume
Costumes are generally used throughout horror films either to present who the killer is or show a character within their role. For example, a character wearing a local police uniform shows that she is local to the town and enforces the law, it helps to add to their personality. Also within the horror genre costumes can be used to mask an identity of a murderer, this is used to help create mystery around this character and involves the audience by making them question things throughout the film.
 

Make Up
In the horror genre make up can be used to create scars and markings on a character which could potentially tie in with the plot. It can also be used to mask a characters identity and add to the realism of the costume, for example in Stephen Kings 'IT' the costume and make up used helps to present the killer as a clown, if make up wasn't used then the character would be less realistic and therefore less terrifying.
 

Props
Props are often used within this selected genre as weapons are often used in order to kill a murderers victims. Often knives, handheld cameras, torches e.t.c are used. Props can also be used in order to reveal more to the storyline and potentially progress it forward at a faster pace. They can also be used to create tension and mystery, for example a torch and handheld camera used in a dark lighted abandoned home.