Mice-en Scene #2 (Setting)

 Hey Cambridge! Every story has a setting and it plays a very crucial role, so this post will be dedicated to the setting of my film opening!

A setting is the time and place of a narrative world, whether it is fiction or not. Since a setting can be anywhere, as long as it has a time and place, it only matters how it influences a story. The setting can: reflect something (about characters or their situation), prove a point, or just be there to prove a point. In my film opening, we want to take a more realistic approach and it will have two settings. Gianna's room, and the gym. As for the gym, I have asked permission from my boss and we got it! Here is what the gym looks like: 

This opportunity to use the equipment will be amazing since it only makes sense since it is a movie about gymnastics and our main character's journey. We will get to show Gianna's true talent with gymnastics and I cannot wait to bring this to life next week!

Our other setting is Gianna's room. Someone's room will say a lot about the kind of person they are. Gianna is a teenager who is obsessed and in love with her sport, gymnastics so we will use some elements to portray this. For instance, we will display my old gymnastics medals around her room to illustrate the amount of skill she has and how successful she is. In addition to this, we will put up photos of famous gymnasts like Simone Biles on her walls. Due to Gianna's poor performance in school, we will also place school work with visible grades (bad ones) on her desk all scrambled out to show her lack of care for academics. These aspects enable the audience to gain a deeper understanding of Gianna, creating context and further heightening their engagement with the film. 

Why is a setting important?

The setting shapes the way the audience experiences the narrative. A setting that is well-chosen and developed will overall enhance the mood you are trying to give off. Whether it is an eerie scene, using dim lighting and weather would aid in portraying that, meanwhile, in a comedy it typically would be the opposite with vibrant colors and bright lighting. The setting also aids in character development and their actions since each setting provides its own unique challenges the character(s) must face. As stated previously, the setting can reinforce themes, symbolize specifics, or simply help tell the story proving the crucial role it plays in filmmaking. Overall, having a well-made setting that accurately portrays the film, can enhance the audience's engagement and leave a longer impression on them. 

Abreu, R., Rafael Abreu                                                                                                                                                                                Rafael Abreu received his M.A. in Cinema Studies from New York Univ, & Rafael Abreu received his M.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University. He’s written reviews. (2022, December 4). Setting examples - how to use time and place in Film & lit. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/setting-examples/#:~:text=A%20setting%20is%20the%20time,widely%20from%20work%20to%20work.