scène

Scène is a French noun meaning scene. In theatre, film, and narrative, a scène is a unit of action defined by a specific setting and time frame. It can refer to a division of an act, the place where performances occur (the stage), or a moment depicted within a story. The term also appears in phrases such as scène de crime (crime scene). In everyday French, it can denote both the event being depicted and the physical space where it takes place.

Etymology and origin: The word derives from Old French scene, from Latin scena, which itself comes from Greek skēnē meaning tent or stage. The English word scene retains this heritage, though its usage has broadened in many contexts beyond theatre.

In theatre and cinema, a scène functions as the basic building block of a dramatic work. A change of location or a shift in time typically marks a new scène. Important distinctions exist between scene and sequence: a scene is a discrete moment in one place, whereas a sequence is a larger unit that may contain several scenes linked by a common action or objective. The term mise en scène refers to the overall staging—how the setting, lighting, costumes, and movement are arranged—while scenography covers the broader study of stage design.

Uses and phrases: Scène can describe various kinds of depicted moments, from dramatic to mundane. It appears in phrases like scène historique (historical scene) or scène de vie quotidienne (everyday life scene). In non-theatrical contexts, it may denote the viewing of a particular moment or event, such as a city street scene or a crime scene, translated as crime scene in English.

See also: mise en scène, scénographie, script, screenplay, film scene.