Class lesson on reading representations of gender in media using mis en scene and camera work.

1. Representations
of GENDER
How to read
representations
of gender in mise
en scène and
composition

2. Mise en scène
Literally means “placing on stage”
in French – and is a common term
used in film analysis/criticism to
describe the arrangement of all the
elements within a visual scene.
This arrangement frames and
attempts to “fix” meaning. Includes
costume design, styling, location,
props, and lighting. Binary
opposition is often used to
highlight differences between
places, characters, or objects.
scène

3. Camera angles
& Composition
In addition to mise en scène, camera
angles and composition work to
communicate information in a visual
scene.

4. How are
representations of
gender framed through
mise en scène and
camera work?

5. Analyze this series of shots from the infamous
shopping scene in the blockbuster hit romantic
comedy Pretty Woman. Describe the shot. Identify
how gender is communicated using camera work
and mis en scène. How are gender stereotypes of
masculinity/femininity depicted or countered? How
are gender hierarchies communicated? How are the
gender scripts also racialized? Classed?

11. Write down a paragraph analyzing this next
shot from Gone with the Wind. Describe the
shot. Identify how gender is communicated
using camera work and mis en scène. How are
gender stereotypes of masculinity/femininity
depicted or countered? How are gender
hierarchies communicated? How are the
gender scripts also racialized? Classed?