Media students in Years 10 and 12 have visited Beamish Museum to study how sets, props, costume, hair and make-up are combined to reflect a specific time period; in the media industry this is called mise-en-scene.

Producers regularly use mise-en-scene techniques in film making, and Beamish offers an excellent opportunity to see how sets are created for period dramas. Popular TV productions such as Downton Abbey, Dark Angel and the many televised Catherine Cookson dramas have all used Beamish Museum as a film location in the past.

As students made their way around the various sections of the museum, they were able to fully appreciate the work that goes into ensuring that each external and internal ‘set’ provides an authentic representation of the era through appropriate architecture, landscaping, vehicles, furniture and small props. Museum staff also wear authentic costumes and sport appropriate hair styles.

The group visited the 1820s Pockerley Old Hall, the 1900s pit village, colliery, drift mine and town, the 1940s farm and Land Girls’ cottage, and the 1950s town. They also discussed some of their favourite TV shows and movies that they had seen which rely on effective mise-en-scene to reflect a particular period in time such as Bridgerton (1813), War Horse (1912), Dunkirk (1940) Elvis (1950s), Grease (1959), Dirty Dancing (1963) Bohemian Rhapsody (1970-80s) and Rocket Man (1950s-80s).

Students realised that mise-en-scene does not just apply to period pieces; they also considered the importance of sets, make-up, costume and props in all movie genres such as sci-fi or horror. This will help them in their current coursework units.