mise-en-scène

noun

ˌmē-ˌzäⁿ-ˈsen 

-ˈsān

plural mise-en-scènes ˌmē-ˌzäⁿ-ˈsen(z) 

-ˈsān(z)

1

a

: the arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage for a theatrical production

b

: stage setting

2

a

: the physical setting of an action (as of a narrative or a movie) : context

this ordinary house that became the mise-en-scène of an extraordinary drama

—E. M. Lustgarten

b

: environment, milieu

enjoyed the mise-en-scène of suburban Miami

Did you know?

In French, mise en scène literally means “the action of putting onto the stage.” The term originated in stage drama, where it refers to the way actors and scenery props are arranged; as its usage expanded into other narrative arts, its meaning shifted. In film production, mise-en-scène refers to all of the elements that comprise a single shot; that includes, but is not limited to, the actors, setting, props, costumes, and lighting. (The director of a play or film is sometimes called the metteur en scène—literally, “one who puts on the stage.”) In general use, mise-en-scène can refer simply to one’s environment or milieu, as in “we spent our vacation enjoying the mise-en-scène of the Tuscan countryside.”

Synonyms

• decor
• scene
• backdrop
• scenery
• set

Choose the Right Synonym for mise-en-scène

background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs.

background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

Examples of mise-en-scène in a Sentence

an era in which the mise-en-scène of Broadway musicals became ever more spectacular

the movie captures the mise-en-scène of strife and desperation in a country torn apart by civil war

Recent Examples on the Web

The mise-en-scene towards the end feels clumsy, even a bit limp, and the plotting becomes forced. —Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025

The mise-en-scene towards the end feels clumsy, even a bit limp, and the plotting becomes forced. —Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025

The back and forth feels distracting rather than revealing at times, a showy move that feels out of step with the overall mise-en-scene. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024

Andersson’s mise-en-scene owes some obvious debts to the likes of Tati and Fellini, but his tragicomic deadpan remains entirely his own. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024

The full mise-en-scene of Biles, Lee, Chiles, Carey, and Rivera wearing their final look beneath a cascade of red, white, and blue confetti communicated a distinct narrative from Minneapolis’ central arena where the games were held. —Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 2 July 2024

And last night, between 50th and 49th Street, a festive spectacle took place as Saks Fifth Avenue and Dior unveiled their mesmerizing mise-en-scene window display, Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks. —Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023

But the mise-en-scene suffers inexplicably and lacks resonance with our more recent era. —Bonnie Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023

Here, an amusing if chaotic mise-en-scene is what’s at center stage. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French mise en scène

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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