One of the most important concepts to master is mise-en-scène, a French term meaning “placing in scene,” which refers to everything that appears within the frame. The 5 main elements are –
1. Setting and Props
The setting is the environment in which the action occurs, and the props are the objects that are part of the scene. In order to fully immerse the spectator in the story’s universe, both set the tone, context, and time period. For instance, whereas a comfortable space with soft furnishings communicates comfort, a dark alley with dirty props may imply danger. The inner states of the characters or the story’s themes might also be reflected in the location.
2. Costume, Hair & Make Up
These components establish a character’s emotional state, personality, and social standing. While makeup and hairstyles provide more personal information about characters, costumes aid in character differentiation by emphasizing their roles or purposes. While a character wearing shabby clothing could signify hardship, a character dressed in elegant gear might suggest professionalism. Exaggerated features can highlight symbolic roles or personality qualities in animation.
3. Facial Expressions & Body Language
Without using words, characters’ emotions, ideas, and reactions can be inferred from their body language and facial expressions. Tension, dread, or grief can be conveyed by a slouched posture or a furrowed forehead. These components are frequently amplified for dramatic effect in animation. Whether a scene is tight, relaxing, or humorous, the way a character moves or holds their body affects the tone and directs the audience’s emotional reaction.
4. Lighting and Colour
The mood, ambiance, and visual tone of a scene are determined by the lighting and color choices. While shadows and harsh lighting may imply danger or mystery, bright, warm lighting may create a pleasant atmosphere. Blues imply serenity or melancholy, while reds might convey danger or passion. Color selections can have symbolic meanings. The emotional effect and thematic depth of a scene in animation can be greatly impacted by the way light and color are manipulated.
5. Positioning of characters/objects within the frame
Character and object placement within the frame affects the scene’s emotional dynamics and directs the audience’s attention. Characters toward the periphery may imply fragility or loneliness, while those in the center can communicate significance or authority. Characters’ spatial interactions might reveal their power or emotional dynamics; for example, close closeness can suggest intimacy, while distance can convey estrangement or tension. The capacity to adjust visual storytelling in animation is enhanced by the flexibility of positioning.
Types of Shots
Extreme Close-Up: Draws attention to minor elements, such a hand, eye, or small object, to accentuate the focal point or express symbolic meaning.
Close-up: Draws attention to a character’s face or a significant detail, highlighting significant objects or actions in a scene, or expressing emotion.
Medium-shot: Character and background are visible in a medium shot, which frames the character from the waist up and is frequently employed for discussion or interaction.
Long Shot: Presents the character from head to toe, maintaining them as the main subject of the scene while giving background information about their environment.
Extreme Long Shot: This technique creates a big setting or scene, frequently displaying the figure in juxtaposition to a vast world, either a bleak wilderness or a sweeping urban.
Over-the-Shoulder Shot: This shot, which is frequently utilized for stressful situations or talks, places the viewer behind a character and lets them see what they see.
Point-of-View Shot: Provides intimacy or subjectivity by allowing the viewer to see the scene through the eyes of the character.
High Angle Shot: A high angle shot looks down on the subject and is frequently employed to provide a scene’s overview or to make the subject appear small, helpless, or vulnerable.
Low Angle Shot: Often utilized for dramatic emphasis in animation, this shot is taken from below the character, giving them an air of dominance, strength, or imposingness.
Further shots can be categorised in context of number of characters in a frame namely, one-shot, two-shot or group-shot. Or for a moving camera Pan shot, Tilt shot, Traveling shot (dolly shot) or Crane shot.