MISE-EN-SCENE
Mise-en-scene ('placing on stage') is the arrangement of scenery in a play or on a set. A director must ensure that the mise-en-scene is accurate (for instance, having all costumes and scenery of a period piece relevant to the time they are trying to portray ), and have all props etc organised in such a way where the correct mood is being set. An example of this is having blinds partly closed to cause shadow, creating a more eerie atmosphere. There are six different aspects of mise-en-scene which are as as follows:
-Lighting
-Props
-Settings
-Costumes and make-up
-Actors
-Framing
Different genres require different mise-en-scene. It is clear that in thrillers there are many aspects of mise-en-scene that are used to create an idea about the film (in general) or characters, in the audiences mind.
In terms of lighting, in thrillers it is generally quite dim as this creates a more gloomy and unsettling atmosphere that is typical of a thriller, the absence of brightness may also suggest that there is something to be uncovered (implying mystery). In addition light has connotations of having knowledge of something or on an even more basic level happiness, both of which are not themes in thrillers. Secondly black white and grey are also frequently used in a thrillers mise en scene as the colours black and grey in particular imply uncertainty and darkness.
The sound used in thrillers tend to have a slow tempo with at low pitches to begin with and slowly build until the climax of the scene takes place where the tempo would increase and pitch would become higher (e.g at a jump scare). String instruments such as the violin and bass are also used to achieve this. sound is used to create tension and keep the audience guessing as to what might happen next. Silence (or white noise) can also be effective in thriller as again this is an alternative way of creating a sense of unpredictability and panic.
The costuming ans make-up used in thrillers is normally quite naturalistic to present the characters as grounded perhaps. Minimal make up and less extravagant make up is used as unlike other genres such as SyFi or fantasy, there is generally a level of normalcy that has to be upheld to ensure that the film remains somewhat realistic. In addition a females make up in thrillers might tend to be smugged and ruined to suggest that they have been crying as they are in a distressing situation.
Lastly, settings in thrillers are normally in quite dark and unpleasant places such as dark ally ways in some scenes or crime scene (normally murder sites). Props that are used frequently are weapons, specifically guns which are are a key element in action scenes between the hero and the villain.