OCR A Level Media Basics Bundle

A complete OCR A-Level Media Studies introductory bundle covering media basics, media language, representation, stereotypes, camerawork, mise-en-scène and key theory.

This bundle contains 8 fully editable PowerPoint (.pptx) lessons designed for students beginning OCR A-Level Media Studies. The lessons introduce students to the foundations of Media Studies, including key terminology, media forms, audience, representation, stereotypes, mise-en-scène, camerawork, narrative theory and character theory.

The bundle is ideal for the opening weeks of Year 12, GCSE-to-A-Level transition, early course induction, revision or intervention. Lessons include retrieval practice, discussion tasks, terminology activities, printable worksheets/resources, model answers, sentence starters and scaffolded exam-style writing tasks.

The sequence builds students’ confidence with the essential analytical vocabulary needed for OCR A-Level Media Studies before moving into set texts.

Suggested teaching order
Lesson 1: OCR A-Level Media Studies Introduction

Introduces students to the course, classroom expectations, media forms, audiences, representation, stereotypes, anti-stereotypes, CAGES and trailer analysis. This works best as the first lesson because it gives students a broad overview of the subject and establishes key routines.

Lesson 2: Camerawork Analysis

Introduces key camera shots, angles, framing and connotations. Students explore how camerawork shapes audience response, power, vulnerability, fear and meaning. This should come early because camerawork is one of the core building blocks of media language.

Lesson 3: Mise-en-Scène: Lighting

Develops students’ understanding of mise-en-scène through lighting terminology, including low-key lighting, high-key lighting, natural lighting, directional lighting and silhouette. Students apply this to film extract analysis.

Lesson 4: Mise-en-Scène: Acting

Continues the CLAMPS/media language sequence by focusing on acting, including facial expression, gesture, body language, eye contact and movement. Students apply acting terminology to extract analysis and exam-style writing.

Lesson 5: Todorov Narrative Theory

Introduces narrative structure through Todorov’s five stages: equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to repair and new equilibrium. Students apply the theory to music video and film examples.

Lesson 6: Propp’s Character Theory

Builds on narrative by introducing Proppian character roles, including hero, villain, donor, dispatcher, helper, princess/prize and false hero. Students apply character theory to crime drama examples including Vigil and The Avengers.

Lesson 7: Female Stereotypes

Introduces gender representation with a focus on female stereotypes, anti-stereotypes, CAGES, “The New Woman” and media language analysis. Students analyse examples from Wonder Woman, Stranger Things, Lupin, The Hunger Games and Wednesday.

Lesson 8: Male Stereotypes

Completes the introductory representation sequence by focusing on masculinity, male stereotypes, anti-stereotypes, “The New Man” and generational masculinity. Students analyse examples from Stranger Things, The Lord of the Rings and Breaking Bad.

What is included?
8 fully editable PowerPoint (.pptx) lessons
Introductory OCR A-Level Media Studies lesson
Camerawork analysis lesson
Mise-en-scène lighting lesson
Mise-en-scène acting lesson
Todorov narrative theory lesson
Propp character theory lesson
Female stereotypes and representation lesson
Male stereotypes and representation lesson
Printable worksheet/resource slides
Camerawork resource document and analysis task
Retrieval practice tasks
Key terminology slides
Teacher feedback/model answer slides
Sentence starters
Word banks
Analytical writing frames
Exam-style questions
Model responses
Peer/self-assessment criteria
Plenary and reflection tasks
Key topics covered
OCR A-Level Media Studies
Media Studies introduction
Media basics
Media language
Representation
Audience
CAGES
Stereotypes
Anti-stereotypes
Gender representation
Male representation
Female representation
The New Man
The New Woman
Mise-en-scène
CLAMPS
Lighting
Acting
Camerawork
Camera shots
Camera angles
Connotation
Denotation
Narrative
Todorov
Propp
Character theory
Audience response
Film analysis
Music video analysis
Extract analysis
Exam-style writing
This bundle can be used as:
An opening OCR A-Level Media Studies unit
A Year 12 induction sequence
A Media Basics teaching pack
A Media Language introduction bundle
A Representation introduction bundle
A GCSE-to-A-Level transition unit
A revision or intervention pack
A theory introduction sequence
A set-text preparation unit before moving into OCR texts

This bundle includes fully editable PowerPoint (.pptx) lessons and supporting printable/resource materials.

This resource is independently created and is not endorsed by OCR.