Mise en Scene

Mise en Scene

13 Going on 30

    Hello there! Today we will be exploring the 'mise en scene' of a beloved rom-com titled, "13 Going on 30." You may be questioning what the meaning of mise en scene is. Well, it is a French term that refers to everything that the viewer can see in a frame. Without further ado, let us dive right in!

 

    To analyze the mise en scene, let us discuss their costumes first.  To elaborate, Jenna is 13 years old however, she abruptly woke up and was 30! Throughout the film she makes immature decisions, clearly with the mind of a 13 year old. Their were many scenes in which she chooses childish outfits however something changes in this particular scene. Jenna Rink (the lady on the right) is suddenly wearing very mature and proper clothes. This conveys the melancholic feeling of growing up. Next, the location is set in New York City. Specifically, the setting being near the water at night sets a calm mood, as they are simply having a nice conversation. The scenery consists of a beautiful outdoorsy park that works with the setting to convey serenity. Props consist of Razzles candy that convey a nostalgic mood since they ate those candies as children. The lighting used is low key which contrasts with the dark background, highlighting their importance. Next, another element would be the actors, Jennifer Garner perfectly resembles an older Jenna Rink as she has fantastic emotional range and skills. Adding on, the background characters further add to the scene. Lastly, the framing perfectly sets them within the middle of the screen, again conveying a sense of importance.

    Moving on, the costumes within this scene consist of formal attire, excluding Jenna in which she is dressed in a colorful, childish outfit. The colorful stripes throughout the dress convey her happy nature and give the scene a cheery feel. The location is New York, conveying a home-like area, specifically, the setting takes place in a party room. The fact that this is a party gives a livelier feel to the film and creates a sense of unity. The high-key lighting adds a focused insight on the dancers, as the lights fully show all the characters.

    Within this particular scene, the actors play an important role. Jennifer Garner's character is wearing a bright outfit and wears a bright smile on her face, adding to the good nature of the scenes. Not only does her character convey mood, but the several dogs further add to the causes of her happiness. Also, the framing is important to discuss as it seems they are placed at a bit of a tilt. Many may argue this conveys chaos, however, in this scene it suggests a stroll on a beautiful day! Additionally, the setting being a well-known park, 'Central Park', everyone gathers there and it seems to bring joy.

    Moving on, this particular scene consists of setting, props, and costumes. The setting taking place at his house would imply that they have a close bond, giving a warm feeling of nostalgia. Zooming in, the props that are used are particularly important to the film. The doll-house that Matt builds for her was originally not important to her at all, but by the end of the film she cherishes it with all her heart. Having these props allow nostalgia and sentimental feelings to emerge. As for costumes, her outfit is heavily influenced by the trends of the 80's. While she is living in the future, she is wearing clothes that she'd most likely wear during the 80's, this is because even though her body has changed, her mind hasn't. Thus, their costumes strongly convey nostalgia and the feelings of change. 

    Lastly, this scene emphasizes the utilization of costumes, setting, and lighting. Clearly, the girls are all having fun while wearing pajamas, and clothes that would normally not match. However, they purposefully do this since it demonstrates their immature mind of being young and free. Now, the actors consist of Jenna Rink hanging around people that would understand her, remember she is a child! The child actors play a happy expression on their face since they are singing their lungs out! But having these contrasting actors essentially drives Jenna closer to what she was used to before her development. Next, the lighting used would be considered high-key lighting, as the room is moderately bright in which you can clearly see the hosts.