Analysis of a Film Still

Mean Girls

In the mise-en-scene from this still image from the film ‘Mean Girls’, you can tell a lot about the characters through the use of media language.

Through the use of colouring you can tell it is a very girly film. In this image there is a lot of pink’s being used, whether it is in their costumes or a tint of pink in the lighting. You can already see that all of these girls are friends, or at least know each other as they are all in within close proximity of each other. However, the girl on the far left is not as tightly integrated into the group as the others. You can see this through her costume, her t-shirt is very oversized for her shape, and she is the only wearing jeans, also her make-up and hair isn’t done to the same extent as the others. The body language of the other girls also makes it more obvious that the one on the far left isn’t as close, this is because they are all kind of huddled together and she is just on the edge, trying to get a look in.

The three girls on the right, look like what you would call your typical girly girls, as well as those who are more popular. There costumes are all very revealing by them wearing tight short skirts and tops. Their hair is all done very neatly and as though they spent a lot of time on it, as well as their make up looking perfect. The girl on the far right has a designer bag, which would be very expensive and so that shows that she has money and most likely full of herself.

Within this image the lighting is helping to tell a story as well. The lighting is giving the atmosphere of it being maybe a happy or comical scene. As it is quite a bright lighting and maybe more natural it is also allowing the girls to look bright, and helping the story line as well.

This kind of mid / close up shot is allowing you to get a lot from the image. The shot is also allowing you to see all of the characters, which allows you to see all of their reactions. This lets the audience to get a sense of how all of the characters are, and what their personalities might be like too.