Mise En Scene- Superstore
I chose to journal on the mise-en-scene of the NBC show, "Superstore". I've been watching this show lately and it has brought a lot of laughter to my muse. The setting, acting, lighting, and staging makes the comedic show a success.
In Season 4 Ep. 11, the workers just received their new “Superwatches”, a watch that counts their steps and counts them altogether as a store. The setting takes places in the usual break room where everyone huddle around each table and await Glenn’s annoying speech. This break room setting mirrors a typical American break room with the placement of the fridge, the cabinets, tables, and sink. After the usual morning meeting, the workers head out into the store to begin their day. The high-key lighting is quite obvious in the store to represent a comedy. Also, this high-key lighting matches well with the show since bright lights are expected in American grocery or convenience stores. The lighting is constant throughout the entire episode and roughly changes in the following or previous episodes.
The costumes are another consistency in this show since these workers are required to wear uniforms. After the workers head out into the store, they all wear their blue vests and any shirt under them. After one of the floor managers, Amy, learns that having the most steps can get her lunch with the Regional VP, she encourages and manipulated her coworkers to gain more steps by posing as a Bel-Ridge worker (one of their most hated stores) and trash-talking the workers at the Superstore (1217) in the show. The workers begin walking faster and changing shirts to minimize the sweat. Also, the environment becomes more hectic and the setting switches back and forth to different sections of the store to highlight each worker’s contribution to achieving that goal. The modern costumes also reflect the modern era that the show is shot with the advanced technology and products available at the store.
The acting embodies the show and brings it more to life. Each character portrays what they’re supposed to represent. For example, when Amy lies to Mateo about how Corporate can see how many individual steps workers take, he begins to work harder and walk faster to make up for the lost time. Mateo is a perfectionist and an overachiever, so he tries to be that in everything, especially in this situation. Another character that embodies his role is Jonah. In the show, Jonah portrays an annoying and know-it-all character. His mannerisms and different hand gestures as well as his extra input in any conversation conveys his annoyance. Additionally, Glenn’s voice sounds like Kermit, so his character is very preppy and positive in literally anything. He does a great job acting it and rarely goes out of character, even in a tornado situation.
Staging is also important in this show. Dina is the assistant manager and her constant yelling and negative feedback on each character’s work performance exerts her dominance. Blocking is used in this show to place Dina in front of the other workers in meetings and job assignments, especially when Sandra is there. Sandra is always in the back in most audiences and tries to participate in the conversation but her shyness and low self-esteem doesn’t allow her to do. When everyone is talking about how many steps they took, Sandra raises her hand to speak but quickly puts it down once another worker begins speaking. Another form of blocking is Amy and Jonah’s relationship. When the camera cuts to Amy or Jonah, they’re usually with one another or coming in the conversation. Since they’re dating, the blocking is used to show their relationship and work performance.
In Season 4 Ep. 11, the workers just received their new “Superwatches”, a watch that counts their steps and counts them altogether as a store. The setting takes places in the usual break room where everyone huddle around each table and await Glenn’s annoying speech. This break room setting mirrors a typical American break room with the placement of the fridge, the cabinets, tables, and sink. After the usual morning meeting, the workers head out into the store to begin their day. The high-key lighting is quite obvious in the store to represent a comedy. Also, this high-key lighting matches well with the show since bright lights are expected in American grocery or convenience stores. The lighting is constant throughout the entire episode and roughly changes in the following or previous episodes.
The costumes are another consistency in this show since these workers are required to wear uniforms. After the workers head out into the store, they all wear their blue vests and any shirt under them. After one of the floor managers, Amy, learns that having the most steps can get her lunch with the Regional VP, she encourages and manipulated her coworkers to gain more steps by posing as a Bel-Ridge worker (one of their most hated stores) and trash-talking the workers at the Superstore (1217) in the show. The workers begin walking faster and changing shirts to minimize the sweat. Also, the environment becomes more hectic and the setting switches back and forth to different sections of the store to highlight each worker’s contribution to achieving that goal. The modern costumes also reflect the modern era that the show is shot with the advanced technology and products available at the store.
The acting embodies the show and brings it more to life. Each character portrays what they’re supposed to represent. For example, when Amy lies to Mateo about how Corporate can see how many individual steps workers take, he begins to work harder and walk faster to make up for the lost time. Mateo is a perfectionist and an overachiever, so he tries to be that in everything, especially in this situation. Another character that embodies his role is Jonah. In the show, Jonah portrays an annoying and know-it-all character. His mannerisms and different hand gestures as well as his extra input in any conversation conveys his annoyance. Additionally, Glenn’s voice sounds like Kermit, so his character is very preppy and positive in literally anything. He does a great job acting it and rarely goes out of character, even in a tornado situation.
Staging is also important in this show. Dina is the assistant manager and her constant yelling and negative feedback on each character’s work performance exerts her dominance. Blocking is used in this show to place Dina in front of the other workers in meetings and job assignments, especially when Sandra is there. Sandra is always in the back in most audiences and tries to participate in the conversation but her shyness and low self-esteem doesn’t allow her to do. When everyone is talking about how many steps they took, Sandra raises her hand to speak but quickly puts it down once another worker begins speaking. Another form of blocking is Amy and Jonah’s relationship. When the camera cuts to Amy or Jonah, they’re usually with one another or coming in the conversation. Since they’re dating, the blocking is used to show their relationship and work performance.
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