Mise-en-scene Chart

Analyzing mise‐en‐scène: Kissing Booth 2  

For this assignment, I chose a clip from a film to study. I chose Kissing Booth 2. Here, I went through each part and conducted a deep and thorough analysis on the Mise-en-scene used and what it contributes to the film. This helped me to learn more about continuity and what makes everything flow. It also helped me to know how to incorporate a strong mise-en-scene into my final exam film.

Mise‐en‐scène means “put in the frame”. Everything that you see and hear has been carefully selected to create meaning. An important part of our work in media studies is exploring how this meaning has been created. Watch a film clip and use the prompts below to help your analysis.  

• https://www.google.com/search?q=kissing+booth+2+scene&rlz=1C1GCFA_enUS1084&oq=kissing+booth+2+scene&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIICAIQABgWGB4yCAgDEAAYFhgeMggIBBAAGBYYHjIICAUQABgWGB4yCAgGEAAYFhgeMggIBxAAGBYYHjIICAgQABgWGB4yCAgJEAAYFhge0gEINTI1NmowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on#cobssid=s&fpstate=ive&vld=cid:ab4cbdeb,vid:BhopdCjT_7Y,st:0 

   

	What to think about	Description	Comment
Setting/Location	When/where is it set. Is it filmed on set or on location? Does the setting tell us anything about the genre.	This scene takes place on a stage in, and when Lee is watching, he is at a family party watching the show on a live video. They are in Los Angeles, California in this movie.	As many teen drama films are based on large cities in popular places such as California, this setting is very fitting. They are also performing at a dance competition, and LA has a large performance industry.
Props	What props have been included? Do they tell you anything about the setting or genre? Connotations?	The props in this scene include a cell phone, dance-dance revolution game, and stage. This tells you they're performing. Elle has always loved the dance game, and it is especially highlighted in the first movie. This relates to the idea that she is not ready to grow up, and she still loves to dance on the game, even though she is now using it at the next level.	All these props can relate back to the genre, as they’re modern, but the game is an old arcade game. This emphasizes the idea of a drama, musical, nostalgia or romance. The props are personal to the two people that interact within the scene. The dance game is especially related to Elle because that has been her favorite game since she was little according to the original movie. It also relates to Lee and Noah because they were childhood friends with Elle and know how much she loves the game, so they are excited to see her compete with it incorporated.
Lighting	Natural or artificial? Where is it coming from? Shadows? What atmosphere is created?	The blue/purple lighting is artificial light on the stage that is used to enhance the dance. The characters in the audience are illuminated by the light.	The lighting not only emphasizes the characters, but it also emphasizes the background and performance as well. The use of blue and purple lighting created a tense and exciting atmosphere that is visually pleasing to the audience.
Costume & Makeup	What are the characters wearing? Does this tell us anything about them, the relationships between them, or the setting?	Everyone in the audience is wearing normal clothes, and Elle and Marco are wearing costumes, but they are not that far off from normal clothes. This shows that the competition they are at is casual and not very proper, where people would need to be dressed nicely. When the setting switches to Lee, he is in a nice button-down shirt. This shows that he is most likely at a nice event.	The use of normal hair and makeup shows that everyone is so amazed by the dance and not what the performers are wearing. It also allows the audience to have a better understanding of the atmosphere they are trying to create. Although the performance is exciting, it is not a professional event.
Movement	What does body language and movement tell us about the characters emotions? What kind of atmosphere is created?	The characters dance throughout the majority of the scene. When the camera switches to a close-up of Elle and Marco, their body language and facial movements show the tension between them on stage. When it switches to a close-up of Lee/Noah, their movement shows their excitement for Elle, and then their shock when she kisses Marco.	The dancing is the performance they are doing, and it is used to emphasize the song and convey a message of tension between the dancers, even though Elle’s boyfriend is in the audience. It also draws the audience's attention to the character's relationships/emotions. The movement of other characters who are not a part of the performance is used to show their genuine reaction to what they are watching, as everyone who gets close-ups is close to Elle.
Diegetic Sound	Describe the characters’ voices and sounds made by objects in the scene. What do they add to the meaning of the scene?	The two characters don't speak throughout the entire scene, as they are dancing. However, the judges talk before and after the performance is done, and at the end there is a standing ovation. When the camera switches to lee, he makes little commentary while watching the dance. The only other sound that is heard is the music playing while they are on stage.	The remarks made from lee sow his shock when Elle and Marco kiss. The judge's speech and clapping shows that everyone is impressed with the dance. And the music shows that the dance is occurring currently. The diegetic sounds provide an overall upbeat feeling.
Framing & Composition	What is included in the scene. How are objects/people positioned in the frame and in relation to each other. Are we seeing things from one person’s point of view?	The director uses a two-person shot for most of the scene. There are also close-ups, a Steadicam, and an over the shoulder when it features Lee watching his phone. The camera is steady on the two characters dancing for most of the time through the use of a continuous shot. The characters are usually dancing, unless the camera switches to a close-up of Lee or Noah’s reaction to watching the dance.	The frequent use of the two-person shot shows the full interaction between the two characters and gives the audience insight into not only their dance but the tension that comes along with it. The Steadicam creates a smooth flow throughout the scene and makes it visually appealing. It also shows what they are using to dance on, and it sets the overall scene. The close-up shots are used to show tension between Marco and Elle, as well as the reaction of people watching such as Noah and Lee. The point-of-view shot shows how Lee is still Elle’s best friend, as he is watching her dance competition from the event, he is at via cell phone.