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Introduction:  Framing Shots

When a director frames each shot in the camera, he or she considers the physical space in the shot, including the use of space and focus.

Mise-en-Scène

Mise-en-scène literally means “placing on stage.”  Mise-en-scène is a term used to describe the director’s choices in the framing of a shot, including the location of the actors and their costuming, physical props, décor, and lighting.

WHAT’S THE EFFECT?

In this first example, there is a contrast between the stark white walls and his cluttered desk.  The clutter suggests he feels overwhelmed with the work he must do.

Internal Framing

Directors are using internal framing when they surround a character with physical boundaries that exist in the shot (e.g. a door frame or a window pane).

WHAT’S THE EFFECT?

The internal framing in both of the images on this page suggests a character that is confined or limited in some way.