Research: Mise en Scene: Iconography Ms Heath

Iconography

Iconography is another 1 of the five elements of Mise en Scene. It is 

the objects that you see in the scene. The meaning that these objects create to the scene. It is the visual images, symbols, or modes of representation collectively associated with a person, cult, or movement.

 

For example in a warehouse the iconography you would expect to see is:

·         Broken windows 

·         Empty boxes

·         Dust everywhere

·         Boarded windows

·         Rubbish on the floor

·         Unused machinery etc.

 

 

These objects would specifically describe an abandoned warehouse. This is what you would associate with scenery like an abandoned warehouse. It is conventional for that stuff to be in an abandoned warehouse.

If it was what iconography you would associate with someone for example James Bond you would expect:    

·         Gadgets and gismos

·         Watches

·         Weapons

·         Flashy cars

·         Cell phones etc.

This tells the audience that he is a very important person who is very ‘flash’ and has got a lot of money and gets himself into a lot of trouble.

 

This is the film trailer from the thriller film Disturbia. The main iconography (prop) used in this trailer are the binoculars the protagonist uses. After being homebound due to the tag on his leg, he ends up spending his time spying on the neighbours although he sees something that he might not have wanted to.