If you’re setting out on a new cross-media story adventure, in which you’ll explore the possibilities of music, video, gaming, and the web, consider the golden phrase filmmakers and theatre professionals have come to learn and live by …

Mise en scene

Though there is a vast array of various definitions as to what this phrase actually means to stage and film pros, the gist of it is “to place in scene.”

To the audience, the story of a play or film unfolds to reveal character, plot, and theme, which hopefully includes a hero they can side with, a conflicting plot they can experience from a safe distance, and a moral commentary they can interpret and either agree or disagree with. But for the film and theatre pros, the story unfolds using various elements, such as an actor, framing, lighting, props, and other props, effects, and players involved in brining a scene to life. In essence, mise en scene is a phrase that expresses all of the elements coming together and working together to create the story as it appears on stage or film.

For those interested in cross-media storytelling, mise en scene is an important phrase to become familiar with; not only do you have to worry about the mise en scene aspects involved with the film behind your story, but you need to be sure the mise en scene of your music, game, and web experience is there as well.

On top of that, you need to be sure the mise en scene for your overall cross-media story is there. If you’re not sure how or where to start, start with the four corners of cross-media storytelling.

1. Video

As a visual medium, this platform of storytelling will require attention to lighting, camera direction, acting, props, effects, audio, and anything else that contributes to the production of a moving image. The key here is to make sure everything in the frame should be, and furthermore, that it all fits within the overall style of your project.

2. Music

This too should fit within the family of your overall style you’re bringing to the cross-media story. Ask yourself if it sets the right mood, if your target audience will connect with the music, how it effects the emotions of your audience, and whether or not it feels like it fits naturally.

3. Gaming

Much like video, gaming will require a to of attention to the visual details involved with mise en scene. In addition, however, gaming will require your attention regarding the style and depth of how your audience participates with your game. Does the overall experience fit in with the overall story?

4. Web

Here’s where you tie it all together. Use the web to spread the mise en scene you’ve created for your overall cross-media story, while abiding by the style you’ve created. In other words, don’t sell out and purchase several flashy advertisements across the web in order to get your project out there … unless that’s the style of your project. Keep it in the family.

In the end, ask yourself whether you’ve created a style that successfully stretches across the four corners of cross-media storytelling. To create a sense of mise en scene for your cross-media project, you’ll need to step back and approach the project from the audience’s point of view.

Does your music feel organic with the genre and tone of your film elements? Does the web experience tie everything together seamlessly? Will the experience of your gaming aspects gel with everything else you’ve created thus far?

If you’re touching upon these four corners with your own cross-media project, do you find it difficult to create a sense of mise in scene?