My analysis in finding a deeper meaning - Mise-en-scene in coming of age

Thursday January 29, 2026 

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For this blog I got the opportunity to conduct research of my choice; I chose mise-en-scene. Now mise-en-scene is one of those things that I want to be a focal point in my project. The overall look of the production plays a huge part in effecting the audiences feelings and/ or thoughts. Using a dark color pallet in sad scenes and a light color pallet in the happy scenes creates a great juxtaposition between the characters lowest and highest points. In utilizing these techniques, it further expresses the characters mental state without revealing too much, since it is a film opening and not the whole story. It will leave audiences feeling something and thats what i want. My aim is to make a hard hitting story that people can connect to; showing the real and raw realities of loss and depression throughout it. 

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Color pallet

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One of my favorite examples of this is Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012). I have mentioned this films a plethora of times on this blog, but I just can't help it. It is one of the best examples of emotional and mental distress that I have ever seen. The color pallet fluctuates to demonstrate the different feelings that the characters are feeling; in the image above, the blue, black, gray, and white all work together to show the immense sadness that Charlie is feeling, and that is communicated to the audience as well. I found the use of white through his costume really interesting because white is typically associated with innocence and purity, but it almost works to show the loss of that innocence by the end of the film.

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Costuming 

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In having majority of the costumes be white in The Virgin Suicides (1999) further pushes the "virgin" and innocent nature that the film itself has. I love that white is used, as it seemingly contrasts with the dark and sad themes surrounding the film (suicide). However, white isn't the only color used, there are also light and pastel colors within the color pallet of the costumes, but even those colors still contrast with the dark topics. The lack of individuality within the costumes for each Lisbon sisters expresses the underlying tones of their personal expressions slipping, further adding to their sad and compressed lifestyle up until each of their deaths. 

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Setting + Lighting 

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The vibe/ tone of a film is so so important. Thats why I think that the lighting and setting really can make or break a production. It can express intense emotion to the viewer just from the look alone; no need for dialogue. Like the example above from the film "Call Me By Your Name", you can feel the heartbreak and sadness through the screen while it's just a still shot of Elio crying by the fire. The cold tones of the background work to show the sadness that he is feeling even where there is warmth right in front of him, covering him in a warm yellow light. I love the use of the lighting here because you can really feel every ounce of emotion that the character is feeling, and that to me is extremely important when it comes to executing a sad film.