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1050 words
Examine The Mise-En-Scene Of The Opening Sequence Of ‘Sixth Sense’ (1999). Analyse Specifically Setting, Lighting, Costume And Makeup, Props, Figure Expression/Movement
Mise-en-scene is the term used to indicate what the director allows to appear in the shot
(Bordwell & Thompson, 2001) and so only allows the audience to see what he/she would
like. In the case of ‘Sixth Sense’ the film writer and director is M. ...
One crucial aspect of mise-en-scene is the setting because it is via this medium that the
audience are able to get a feel for the ambience of the film, also the backdrop can support
the narrative development (Bordwell & Thompson, 2001). An example of such is the
setting for the first scene in ‘Sixth Sense’ as it begins in the cold dark and dank basement,
a place in a home that has been so often been associated with horror and thriller films;
this instantaneously gives the audience an insight into the possible genre of the film. The
next setting is of stark contrast to the first as it shows what appears to be a large warm
room in an equally large house with a long hallway lit by an exquisite chandelier, I
believe here Shyamalan is intending to portray a financially well off couple with a lavish
of sense of style. ... I believe a notable
prop used is the bottle of red wine as first of all it connects the first scene to the next but
also it because I believe it starts a pattern and the red element of the wine is used as a
motif for danger, as it is only Malcolm that is shown drinking the wine and it him that
dies also further on in the film it is after following the red balloon up the staircase that
Cole is locked the small room. ... I believe during this
sequence the final relevant prop is the gun used by the killer which displays his anger at
Malcolm and his desperation which is shown when he shoots Malcolm and himself, the
gun is also used as a ploy to further the narrative and begin the next segment of the film. ... From the first scene the basement is dark and only being
slowly lit by a dim light bulb, this dark room also appears to be cold because of the lack
of light, which in turn creates a spooky atmosphere. Then in the next scene the burning
log fire and many candles establishes a warm, comfortable and intimate atmosphere. I
believe this also brings the audience at ease, as with this degree of light it is difficult for
something scary to occur as all is visible unlike the previous dark scene in which the
audience may have been anxious about what might happen to the woman. ...
Like other aspects of mise-en-scene, the costume worn by the actors and the acting itself
is created in order to be filmed (Bordwell & Thompson, 2001). From the first scene in
which the lady is visible, she stands out as she is looking glamorous in a bright dress and
wearing a lot of makeup which insinuates that she is celebrating and so it is
understandable from the audiences’ point of view why she is in the basement looking for
a bottle of wine. ... He acts drunk in the scene
that he is introduced; I believe this reinforces the idea of a celebration and not as him
being a drunkard because of the way he is dressed. ... The lady is shown to be literally scared stiff as she is hardly moves during
this final sequence until Malcolm is shot.
The mise-en-scene of this opening sequence bombards the audience with information
which will be relevant later on in the film and so helps further the narrative with the
audience knowing all that there is to know about the characters.
Approximate Word count = 3202
Approximate Pages = 12.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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