Deconstruction of Mise en Scene

A mini-essay activity

Purpose

• The purpose of this assignment is to have you apply the film knowledge you’ve developed to a specific scene from a film.

• You will be applying film terms to analytically look at a scene and how it functions as a whole.

Camera Angle (high, low, eye level..)

Eye Level

The camera shoots them in a neutral way, suggestive of normality.

High Angle from wall light. Back light from room.

Light pours down on the figures illuminating Marion more, but casting distinct light/dark shadows on Norman’s face, almost as if he is wearing a mask. The scene is also backlit to indicate a cozy interior behind them. – one that appears safe and domestic.

Lighting

Body PositionBoth Standing facing each other. Norman holds a tray towards Marion. Marion stands with hands clasped in front of her.

Binary opposition of good and evil. Norman’s arms holding the tray look as if he’s offering her something,. They are sharing the frame, however Norman takes up 2/3 of the screen and Marion takes up 1/3. This may predict our growing identification with Norman.

Objects in the SceneMilk jug, tray, Norman’s reflection in the window, shades half drawn, lamp inside and lamp outside.

The shape of the oversized milk jug is like

an arrow that points to Marion. The milk

serves as both a reminder of the

omnipresent mother in Norman’s life as

well as the fact that Norman’s attachment

to mother is literally and figuratively

standing between Norman and Marion.

The reflection in the window suggests the

duality of Norman’s personality and is a

motif that is represented in the film.

Interpretation of the meanings conveyed by mise en scene in the parlor scene of Psycho.

• The parlor scene from the film Psycho reveals much about how meaning is conveyed to a viewing audience by the use of mise en scene. In this scene, Norman brings Marion supper on a tray but the real message revealed by the objects, lighting and placement of the actors is that Marion is clearly being chosen by Norman to be his next victim. The angle of the light source for this scene is high on the wall between the two figures, but closer and illuminating Marion more. The light falls on Marion’s head, and a beam of light points directly at Marion. This suggests that Marion is the focus of Norman’s attention and makes her seem more vulnerable because she is “in the spotlight” or “in the sights” of the killer. The most obvious object in the scene is the oversized milk jug on the tray that Norman carries. The jug is seen in profile, with the spout pointing directly at Marion.

• This reinforces the idea that Norman hasfixated on Marion and has made her his “prey”.

The position of the actors and their body language are also important in the reading of a scene. Although the camera is at a neutral angle and suggests nothing about the power relationship between the two figures, the body language reveals much about what is in the mind of Norman. Norman’s arms holding the tray lookas if they are pointing to Marion, but she is standing with her arms at her side, which makes her look unprotected and unaware of Norman’s intent. Norman is positioned as the aggressor and Marion as the victim.

• The meanings rendered by mise en scene in this still from the film are effective because they subtly suggest and preview what will happen later in the narrative. They build up a feeling of unease in the viewer because they are in contrast to Norman’s feigned friendliness to Marion. He smiles and acts with boyish kindness while at the same time plotting Marion’s savage murder.