mise en scène

Mine en scène is a French term for "staging," or "putting into the scene or shot." In film theory, mine en scène refers to the sum total of all the factors or elements placed (by the director) before the camera and within the frame of the film, to affect the artistic look and feel of the shot, including their visual arrangement and composition. Elements include settings, decor, props, actors, costumes, makeup, lighting, performances, and character movements and positioning. Lengthy, un-cut, unedited and uninterrupted sequences shot in real-time are often cited as examples of mise-en-scene. Contrast to "montage."