Mise-en-scene

     I decided to study the mise-en-scene of the TV show Riverdale because the lighting and costume and mood of the show is constantly changing. In season 3 episode 1 the mood is at first calm but then tense. Archie Andrews just got his freedom back after running for so long. The setting is daytime, the end of summer and at first the mood is fairly happy as there is non-diegetic sound, a voice over, of one of the main characters explaining the fun times they had over the summer. Then the mood suddenly shifts to a courtroom, where one of the main characters, Archie, is on trial for murder. The mood is now scary and tense and the costume changes from summertime bathing suits to serious business suits. The whole courtroom is sweating because it is so hot in the town, making the scene even more tense.

After a few minutes, the scene changes to the inside of a milkshake shop. The mood is still tense but a little happier as the four friends drink milkshakes. The audience hears diegetic sound of dialogue between the four of them as they conspire to find a way to get the judge to believe Archie did not commit the murder he is on trail for. The costumes are more relaxed, no more black and dark colored suits. Now the four wear casual clothes in bright blue colors to represent a feeling of relief of not being in the courtroom anymore. The lighting is also much brighter in the milkshake shop. This also alludes to s sense of happiness and relief, even now the audience nods deep down the discussion the four friends are having is stressful.

This is just one example of many mis-en-scene changes that goes on throughout the show. These sciences were from the first ten minutes of one episode. Considering there are about 40 episodes all together you can only imagine how many other mis-en-scene changes there are throughout the entire show.