In the opening scene of Bridge of Spies, the characters are placed underneath a subway sign saying “WALK DO NOT RUN” when they start running from the chase. Regardless of how subliminal it might seem, it is still a piece of set décor intentionally framed to anticipate the action and move the story forward. In this sense, what might be considered background, whether it takes on an active narrative role or not, is also part of the mise-en-scène intentionally composed in front of the camera.