Mise-En-Scene

Prom Night Analysis

Mise en scene is everything that is put into a scene or frame. Each aspect of mise en scene has hidden meanings within and sends signals to the audience about how we are supposed to feel at certain points.

During 'Prom Night part 3' the setting and iconography play an important part as it builds expectations of what will happen during the scene. It is set in a hotel on the night of student’s prom. There is a major disruption due to the fire alarm going off and the students are instructed to evacuate the building. Donna, a student that plays the victim within scene 7-9 disappears to her room in the hotel to pick up her mothers shawl and to look for a friend, unaware the caretaker accompanies her. Donna, then realising his presence goes into a panic, that she then attempts to lock him out of any possible entry. As a result, this triggers him to use a fire extinguisher that is placed near the rooms door, in order to bolt the door down. After breaking the door down and gaining access, he draws out a knife. This immediately tells the audience that her actions of desperation to try and escape have backfired, resulting in the caretaker becoming violent and angry, therefore weapons become involved. This is conventional to a thriller film as the particular iconography, being a knife, is a commonly used weapon within a thriller during a murder scene. This is due to being easily hidden and quick and easy to pull out. The audience know that this will be a potential muder scene due to the iconography and as it follows the common plot and conventions of a thriller.

Facial expressions within a film provide a clear indicator of how someone is feeling. Body language also indicates how a character feels towards another character to reflect their state of relationship. During this scene as the caretaker enters her room and closes the door behind him, Donna's facial expressions portrays her panic and shock. This is shown in the way her jaw drops and her eyes widen. Her emotions contrast when comparing to the villain due to his sturdy, calm facial expression as he begins to speak. After managing to lock the villain outside the room, her body language of standing in the centre of the room, turning in circles, tightly squeezing her head, whilst the villain is attempting to re-enter her room, shows that she is unable to think straight, unclear of what to do next. Whereas, after the caretaker re-enters the room after knocking the door down, his body language of walking around the room, attempting to find where the victim is hiding, illustrates that he is in no way scared, just worried about the thought of her escaping. This is conventional to a thriller film because power over weakness between the victim and villain is always going to be portrayed within a thriller, as it builds tension and makes the audience sympathise the vulnerable victim.

The costumes, hair and makeup signifies the particular event; formal and fancy. It also portrays certain personalities within the student crowd; popular compared to the geeks etc. The villain contrasts within scene 7-9, as his clothing is dark and casual, therefore being at an advantage in terms of movement. Whereas, the victims clothing puts her at a disadvantage from length and weight, therefore resulting in being unable to travel quickly. Her ruined hair and makeup after the caretaker reveals himself, informs the audience of her frame of mind; being a nervous wreck, therefore making the audience feel a sense of sympathy. This is conventional to a thriller film because it gives understanding and clarity for the audience of the characters feelings and thoughts, creating mixed emotions for themselves.
 

Positioning of characters and objects within a frame is extremely important, in order to draw attention to them. Characters can also be positioned to indicate relationships between themselves and others. The positioning of furniture in the room is typically set up as a everyday common hotel room, therefore creating no specific atmosphere. The killer is dominant in this situation as he is the bigger character, placed in a more advantageous position of being on his feet, whereas stereotypically the victim is at a disadvantage and currently hiding under the bed. This is a typical positioning within a thriller to show the killer has the most power. A previous victim in an earlier scene is placed beside Donna, the current victim. This foreshadows what is going to happen to her if she's caught, this thought is shown in her shocked facial expression once realising her friend is beside her, dead. This in conventional to a thriller film as the villain is always seen to be the most dominant character, in an advantageous position, with the victim in a vulnerable one.

Lighting and colour are crucial when film making, in order to achieve a variety of effects. This includes highlighting important characters and objects, reflecting their mental state etc. Due to the flashing lights in the room the killers face is never revealed long enough for the audience to study his features, this is shown when he first enters her room and closes the door behind him, begging to talk to Donna as he does so. Whereas, when we begins to search for Donna after being locked out and entering the room for a second time, the lighting is dim and low key which creates a calm atmosphere, but contrasts to the reality. The colours of clothing between the two characters relate exactly to their role; white for innocence worn by the victim, brown worn by the villain for him to blend in the background so that his identity stays unknown. This has been used purely to differentiate good from evil.The lighting and clothing is conventional, as the victim is often shown in high-key lighting, to suggest vulnerability, with the villain shown in low-key. The colour of clothing follows common conventions of any thriller, in order to highlight and differenciate the roles each character plays. 

To conclude, mise en scene in my opinion is one of the most vital aspects when making a thriller film, including all 5 elements and making sure they relate directly to what your trying to portray to an audience. I found the lighting and colour are the most interesting to look at, as it can achieve so many effects and play with the characters and audiences emotions. I find its something you really need to focus on and go into great detail with, to create effects such as, revealing hidden emotions in characters and creating enigma with the use of shadows. I will be looking at all 5 elements, taking what I have learnt from this analysis and using my knowledge when it comes to making my two minute opening of a thriller,