Mise-en-Scène Case Study

February 4, 2026

In this blog I will be analyzing one scene from a very popular show in my generation: "The Summer I turned Pretty". Instead of doing a slight analysis on three different scenes, I think it will serve me to analyze just one in depth. Mise-en-Scene is very important in the film and theater industry therefore it is important for me to understand it well.

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In this scene, Conrad confesses he still has feelings for Belly, right after her bachelorette party. She is marrying his brother, Jeremiah. Conrad and Jeremiah have both been in love with Belly since they were kids. However, Belly was always obsessed with Conrad. This scene is naturalistic. Now let’s analyze the Mise-en-Scene behind this scene.

Set design: The beach background sets a romantic and nostalgic mood. In season one, they had their first kiss at the beach. In season two, Conrad and Belly officially ended their relationship at the beach. Their history at the beach hints at the confession that is about to be made.

Hair/Make-up: Belly's hair was neat until she got their. The wind immediately ruined her hair, symbolizing her emotions that Conrad stirred up, as the wind did to her hair. The shadows made Conrad's under eyes pop, representing how tired he is of being unhappy and his vulnerability. 

Props: The lack of items around them (jackets, phones, etc.) puts all the focus on their words and facial expressions/body language as there are minimal distractions.

Blocking: Conrad leans in emotionally and physically, showing vulnerability. Belly steps back and crosses her arms. She shows signs of inner conflict because it is known that she still loves him. But out of defense, she tells him that what they had was not real.

 Lighting: The dim, blue lighting casts shadows on their faces, making the moment raw. The darkness around them can represent their doubt, while the moonlight on them represents the faint love they still feel for each other.

Sound: The waves and wind make the moment feel exposed and opened for anything. There are points where its just silence, leaving room for the audience to feel the rawness of the moment. It is silent until Belly walks away, drops to the sand and cries.

Color: The blue makes the beach look cold, and harsh, contrasting the romantic moments they have usually shared on the beach. The low saturation makes the whole scene seem nostalgic, but it ends up being a harsh moment.

Costume: Belly was dressed casual, after the bachelorette party, this signals she wasn’t prepared for such an intimate confrontation. Conrad's clothes are dark and blend into the background, this puts the focus on his words.

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In conclusion, this assignment truly let me see how much purpose goes into Mise-en-Scene. Every little detail has a deeper meaning behind it that I never noticed was there but would have noticed if it went missing. I don't think I can ever watch a movie and look at it the same again. This may be good or bad but at least I am very knowledgable on the topic.