Phantom of the Opera: Mise en Scene

In Phantom of the Opera mise en scene is very important in order to make the audience feel as if they are watching a drama set in France, 1919.

The opening credits are pictured in gold writing. The gold colour may have been used due to the fact that gold is often connected with wealth and success, and often operas are usually attended by the Upper class, or those who have money.

The film begins in black and white: which represents the present day. This, to the audience also gives the impression that the film is not set in the last 20 years or so, it was in fact set almost 100 years ago, where media was in black and white.

The shot of the theatre contains low key lighting, which creates a dark and mysterious atmosphere. Also adding to the mysterious atmosphere is the cobwebs and insects flying around the spacious theatre, which indicates it is abandoned and not many people visit it.

During the auction, there is a white light which shines down onto the man in the wheelchair and the monkey toy. This indicates that this man may have some significance to the film as a prominent light shines onto him, as well as the toy which also may have great significance.

All the characters in the scene are all dressed in suits or grand clothing. This is important to emphasize the time period it was set in and the class of the people: the prominent speaker, the man on the podium is very well spoken. All males are dressed in suits and top hats, and the female wears a dress, hat and over coat. This could indicate their social class and wealth.

As the chandelier lifts into back into the ceiling, and the dust sweeps away the cobwebs, the primary colours used in the theatre are gold, and red. These colours represent warmth, wealth and royalty. This creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, it indicates how grand and spectacular the theatre once was.

As the camera cuts to a shot of Paris in the 1800s, the street is very clean and a horse and carriage pulls up. Horse and carriages often are associated with royal families, and the characters that get out are dressed in fine clothing which is connected to the time period. During the 19^th and 20^th century people who had wealth often dressed more extravagantly than what they do today.