An example of how we teach media theory so all levels can understand it.

1. WJEC GCSE Media Studies
Practice Analysis Unit: application of
learning and theory
Lesson 3 – How Representation is
Created; media language
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2. Shot types, camera angles and characters
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In earlier lessons, we looked at the way the
things we see in a media text on/around the
character make us draw conclusions about what
they are like.
The collective term for all elements you see on
the screen is symbolic codes. A major symbolic
code is mise-en-scene, which is all the physical
things in the text.
But technical codes, such as shot types and
camera angles, also contribute to representation.

3. Answers to worksheet
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Bird’s eye view/Indomitus
POV as it attacks boys in
pod in Jurassic World.
A shot that shows when
characters have ‘gone too
far’ or are in big trouble.
High angle shot of James
Bond aiming upward in
Skyfall.
A character is shown as
weaker or more
vulnerable.
Low angle shot of Bane in
The Dark Knight Rises.
A character can be made
to seem dominant and
powerful.
Worm’s eye view from The
Adventures of Tin Tin.
A character has been
overcome by a superior
force.
High angle shot of Tobey
Maguire in The Great
Gatsby.
This shot can show that a
character is standing apart
or is in victory.
Low angle shot of the
gang in Attack the Block
A character seems like a
bully or unpleasant
person.
The dutch tilt (in MCU) of
The Joker
A shot that shows a
character is crazy or
devious.
The use of foreground and
background characters in
the Inception poster.
Multiple characters are
positioned to show their
power relationship.

4. Problems with representation
Difficulties arise, and stereotypical images are created, when the
same groups of people are filmed the same way all the time, or are
presented with the same mise-en-scene.
That way, media producers have the power to very easily make
people look good or bad according to their real-life relationship with
that group. For example, how easily can TV producers stereotype
Arabic characters as mad, hate-filled terrorists bullying the world?
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5. Camera behaviour - gender
There is a second theory about the representation of women, which
was theorised by Laura Mulvey and is called Male Gaze Theory.
Here’s an example. Pay careful attention to the relationship between
the camera and Nigella Lawson.
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6. What is Male Gaze theory?
Can we write a definition yet?
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Yep Nope

7. Representationof women
How do the female characters come across in these two clips.
Supergirl clip
Agent Carter clip
Which do they provide evidence for? Mulvey, McRobbie or both? 7

8. Write up your ideas
Put the statements you have been given in an order YOU agree with
and use them as a framework for writing your ideas from this
lesson’s texts.
Develop your response by adding descriptive evidence (specific
examples) from the texts.
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9. Male Gaze key points BACK
• How much emphasis is put on various parts of Nigella’s body
rather than the subject of the programme (the food)?
• What happens when she tastes the food and why is this not just
‘tasting the food’?
• How does she look at the camera?
• What appeal does this create for her products (which this
programme is designed to advertise)?
• Link to McRobbie – what is her role in the programme?
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