Mise En Scene of Prom Night

Mise En Scene in Prom Night

Mise en scene means everything inside the frame. It is there to create atmosphere and structure to the film.This is settings and iconography, costumes, hair and makeup, facial expressions, lighting and colour and positioning.

Setting:
In the film Prom Night, the scene I am focusing on is set in a ball room for the schools prom in a hotel. This is relevant to the story line as most american proms are help at a hotel. This gives the impression to the audience that it is a fun, enjoyable enviroment to be in as they are celebrating. Seeing this makes the audience think nothings going to happen which in this case is the complete opposite. They have challenged the conventions to give the audience a false impression.

Iconography:
In this scene one type of icongraphy that was used was a knife. This was used by the antagonist threatening the victim in the hotel room. Seeing this knife causes fear and instantly builds the tension for the viewer. Instantly this makes the audience see the man as a threat and a dangerous character towards other characters. This shows he over powers them and is one of the main characters in this scene. This also prepares the audience for something bad to happen.

Costumes, hair and makeup:
As this scene is feature around prom all the characters are wearing very formal clothes. Prom suits and dressed were worn which doesn't make the audience think something bad is going to happen. Wearing these clothes does not relate to action or crime so shocks the viewers when the victim ends up fighting to survive. Before the stalker finds Donna (the victim) her hair and makeup is seen to be perfect. As the stalker finds her she's terrified and starts crying which ruins her makeup and has mascara running down her face. This shows the audience how the prom has been ruined and her appearance isn't on her mind as her life is at risk. The antagonist is dress in all dark colours which associate with death and mystery. This shows the audience that he is a cliche antagonist and is someone to be aware of.

Lighting and colour:
Lighting in this scene is very low key. Although when the alarms begin to go off in the hotel at the begining flashing lights are going off which is quite bright. This is to alarm the audience that something bad could happen and it also creates fear and builds the tension. However when Donna is in the hotel room with the antagonist the lighting is low key and shadows are formed which creates the feeling of mystery and feels very dull. Having this tells the audience that something unexpected could happen within this scene.

Facial Expressions:
At the begining of the scene facial expressions on everyones faces show shock and confused as prom has been cancelled and everyone has been evacuated out the hotel, but also some of the characters friends have gone missing. This makes the audience start to wonder whats going to happen as the friends have been missing for a while and the hotel is being evacuated without them being found. Relating back to makeup when Donna is crying and mascara runs down her face, this shows the viewers how terrified she is in that moment.

Most teenagers can relate to the plot as they have or are going to have there prom. With this, it will grab there attention and want them to watch and see what happens next. Although the film is very jumpy and gives the audience a thrill its not overly horrific or too scary which means it can vary to a wide range audience. Some characters may feel connected with the victim Donna as they feel sympathy towards her and want her to be safe.