8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

1/62

Section A:

Theoretical Evaluation of Production

(50 marks)

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

2/62

1a (25 marks)

1b (25 marks)

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

3/62

Section A - Question 1a

(25 marks)1a is entirely concerned about SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, but the area that comes up

will be quite specific.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

4/62

1a) (25 marks)

You will answer  a question describing and evaluating yourpractical skills development from AS to A2.

The questions will focus on one and/or two of the following:

!Digital Technology

!Post-production

!Creativity*

!Research and Planning

!Using Conventions from real media texts

You will notice that most of the above were areas that you covered in theevaluation task at the end of each of your productions.

This time, you are putting together ideas and looking back across all yourproduction work and reflecting on how you developed across the course.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

5/62

so how would you organise an answer?

paragraph 1 should be an introduction which explains which projects you did. It canbe quite short.

paragraph 2 should pick up the skill area and perhaps suggest something about yourstarting point with it- what skills did you have already and how were these illustrated.

use an example.

paragraph 3 should talk through your use of that skill in early projects and what you

learned and developed through these. again there should be examples to support allthat you say.

paragraph 4 should go on to demonstrate how the skill developed in later projects,again backed by examples, and reflecting back on how this represents moves

forward for you from your early position.

paragraph 5 short conclusion

Remember it's only half an hour and you need to range across all your work!

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

6/62

! You only have 30mins for the question and you really need to

make the most of that time by quickly moving fromdescription (so the reader knows what you did) toanalysis/evaluation/reflection, so they start to understand what you learnt!

! Practice!!!!! Try to write an essay on each of the areas, or atthe very least doing adetailed plan with lots of examples. Thefact that it is a 30 minute essay makes it very unusual, so youneed to be able to tailor your writing to that length-a toughtask!

examiners' tips

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

7/62

creativity

research/planningdigital technology

post-production

real media text conventions

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

8/62

1.

DigitalTechnology

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

9/62

Digital Technology refers to hardware, software and online

technology, so the cameras, the computers, the packages youused and the programs online that you have worked with.

It is worth considering how all this inter-links

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

10/62

David Gauntlett and Media 2.0 Theory

With the internet, broadband

YouTube, cheap cameras etc

The Audience are much more

 participatory, and less PASSIVE

Watch YouTube clips and make notes

on Gauntlett's ideas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNqgXbI1_o8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWNXg7Vt-ig&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWNXg7Vt-ig&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNqgXbI1_o8

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

11/62

Using a Website (digital technology)

How has a web based approach changed youra) organisation,b) creativityc) presentation/professionalism of work?

How has time played a factor in the relationship between digitaltechnologies, your skills, and your production work?

tape camera vs flip camera

basic tools vs advanced tools

vs

(basic)print software vs

(advanced) moving image/sound

software

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

12/62

“Digital technology turnsmedia consumers into

media producers”.

!

Discuss what you think this quote means

! How does it relate to you and your work?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

13/62

Timeline of Your Practical Skills Development

Think of each and every project you have completed since you

started media studies (way back to GCSE if you did it....you can

also include any creative production tasks that you may have doneoutside of the subject in your own time)

Draw up a timeline and start to list the technologies (inc. level,

tools etc) you used for each project.

pre-production --- production --- post-production

 You: Producer 

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

14/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

15/62

Used Publisher?

Word/Hand drawn?

Year 10 Year 11 AS practical A2 practical  plan prod post plan prod post

storyboarddrawing skills

Premier 

Premier - advanced After effects?Photoshop?Garageband?Green screen?

weebly

Timeline of Your PracticalSkills Development

GCSE Media people only

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

16/62

Post-Production

2.

pre-production production post-production

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

17/62

Post-production would actually fall under digital technology as well, so ifit comes up it would probably represent an expansion of points you'dmake in one section of digital technology (i.e Premiere/After Effects).

It is really about everything you do after constructing the raw materialsfor your production; so once you have shot your video, what do you doto it when editing (sound included!).

AS - A2:

Filming the 'edit', not thinking of the post-

production process and literately trying to

complete the film through 'raw' footage....?

Do you now film with editing in mind?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

18/62

 AS PRELIM:

! basic cutting - sequence AS FILM OPENING:• location limitations? In school?

• image manipulation (tint, colour, b/c)?

• basic titles?

• editing for effect?

AS

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

19/62

A2

•  Animated/advanced titles - motion

•  After Effects - advanced visual effects

• layering - combining Photoshop? Ident?

• Green screening

• Image manipulation

•Sound! - audio effects/manipulation

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

20/62

3. creativity

Creativity is likely to appear somewhere in the exam question, usuallycombined with one of the other 4 areas.

Therefore it's not only necessary to understand WHAT exactlycreativity is, but how it can be COMBINED with these other areas, andthen linked to YOUR AS-A2 work.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

21/62

Take notes on howcreativity is discussedin the documentary.

• Does it agree with what we have looked

at so far?• Can you see any link to your own ideas

work process?• Where did your ideas originate from?

Was there influence?

Kirby Ferguson - Everything is a remix 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ryPC8bxqE

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

22/62

For your projects it might involve considering: 

! where your creative ideas came from,

! how you worked collaboratively to share creative ideas,

! how did you respond to each creative brief?

! how you used tools like the programs to achieve something imaginative.

AS Prelim - creativity was restricted

AS film opening/A2 teaser trailer - creativity was open

A2 evaluation - creativity was demanded!!!

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

23/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

24/62

PLANNING &

RESEARCH

4.

*what's the difference?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

25/62

Research refers to looking atreal media andaudiences to inform your thinking about a media

production and also how you record all thatresearch;

Planning refers to all the creative thinking and allthe organisation that goes on putting theproduction together, and again gives you thechance to write about how you kept records of it.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

26/62

Storyboards: Did these help with creativeand original shots?

Scripts: Added realism? Made dialoguesound more professional? Actions controlled

Location/costume/props: Did getting out ofday-to-day clothes and beyond the schoolgates make your work look morecreative/believable?

Planning - links to

creativity.....

you 'create' your world!

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

27/62

! Has the research & planning demand increased since you started Media?

What result has this had on your work - see examples below:

! Has your opinion on the importance of research and planning changed?

AS A2

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

28/62

"You should feel free to acknowledge weaknesses

and to reflect upon how you learned from themand how you overcame problems. It is not a place

to be defensive about your work but to reallyreflect on it!" OCR

• Think about the marks you gained/lost for your

 AS media production and the difference inquality of your final pieces. WHY WAS THIS?!

• What mistakes did you learn from between AS

and A2 in terms of planning & research, andwhat affect did this have on the final outcome?

• Would you change your approach at AS given

the chance again?

• What would you do differently?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

29/62

Using Conventions from Real Media Texts

5.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

30/62

-

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

31/62

Use of real media conventions involves consideration of othertexts that you looked at and how skilfully you were able to

weave their conventions into your work or ways in which youmight have challenged them.

follow

challengesubvert  A2? braver, took more risks?

GCSE/AS? safer option, comfort zone?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

32/62

Was there room to challenge/subvert conventions within your chosengenre?

! Have conventions been challenged/subverted in your genre before,

if so how often?

! Did you re-challenge challenged conventions???

Horror 

Strong genericconventionshave rules!• mise-en-scene

• camera

• sound

• characters

• narrative

Thriller/Drama

Room for variety,less obviousconventions interms of• mise-en-scene

• sound

• camera

• characters

• narrative• sub genre

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

33/62

1a 1b*

but adds marks!

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

34/62

1A

creativity

post-prod

research/plan

conventions

Digi-Tech

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

35/62

def

define the skills area, put it

in to your own words.

What could it include?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

36/62

pre what knowledge/skills didyou already have in this

area before Media?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

37/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

38/62

A2what knowledge/skillsdeveloped at A2 level?

What projects?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

39/62

quotes

What quotes can you

include that relate to the

skills area?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

40/62

film opening, teaser trailer - explain differencesBriefly explain purpose of research into real media texts

What are your early experiences of film RMT openings, trailers, pre-12?

How did you use RMT openings for your own film opening?What did you look at, why, how did you apply your understanding of themExplain how research of RMT helped you create your film opening. Following conventions?

How did you use RMT trailers in your yr13 production differently from your 12 film opening?What did you look at, why did you understand them better?, did you apply your understanding of them better?How? How did you demonstrate creativity with the things you learnt through your RMT research? More so at A2?

3 0  m i ns 

(Paragraphs 3 and 4)

(Paragraphs 5 and 6)

(Paragraph 7)

Evaluate which production benefitted more from your RMT research. Did it enable you to follow,challenge or subvert conventions found in RMT research? Highlight the importance of understandingRMT to create your own products.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

41/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

42/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

43/62

Section A - Question 1b

(25 marks)

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

44/62

}? You cannot attempt to considerdiscussing these concepts untilyou can define them. A2 teaser trailer

AO1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and

critical debates, using terminology appropriately and with accurate andcoherent written expression.

AO2

 Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when

analysing media products and evaluating your own practical work.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

45/62

{   {FILMLANGUAGE(MEANING FORAN AUDIENCE)LIGHTING, COLOUR

PROPS, LOCATION,

PERFORMANCE,

COSTUME & MAKE-UP

SET DESIGN

{

{{

{{ TRANSITIONS (FADE, CUT etc)SOUND EDITINGCONTINUITY TECHNIQUESVISUAL EFFECTS

CGI, GREEN SCREEN

PYROTECHNICS/EXPLOSIONS

MODELS, STOP MOTION

SHOT SIZES & FRAMING

CAMERA ANGLES

CAMERA MOVEMENT

SHOT TYPE

DIEGETIC, NON-DIEGETIC

SOUND EFFECTS,

SOUNDTRACK,

NARRATION

•   REPRESENTATION

•  NARRATIVE

•   GENRE

• MISE-EN-SCENE

• EDITING

• SPECIAL EFFECTS

• CINEMATOGRAPHY

• SOUND

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

46/62

theoryRoland Barthes - Codes (enigma action etc)

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

47/62

• If we can come up with genres, then how are they identified?

• Subject (narrative & characters),• Intent (messages and audience pleasures),• Visual style (look, mise-en-scene)

Audience   Genre

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

48/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

49/62

CONVENTIONSFollow generic conventions: Exactly what is expected of thegenre, everything from narrative to characters to props, setting,cinematography. The 'norm'

Challenge generic conventions: Where most genericconventions are evident but with an added twist, or inclusion ofsomething new/original.

Subvert generic conventions: Deliberately go against 'the

norm' or what the audience expect to see! A complete oppositeagainst the stereotypical approach to establishing genre.

The key to unlocking the subject of genre! 

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

50/62

Warm Bodies

Film Theorist Rick Altman argues that there is no such thing as a

"pure" genre anymore and that Genre is progressive, in that it will

always change.

He says generic conventions are very much a thing of the past, as

audiences have become tired of the same formula.

He says that genre is surviving due to hybridisation - or by genres

borrowing conventions from one another.

Hybrid genre - is a text that combines orsubverts the conventions existing genres tocreate a new one.(Easiest example - Zombie film + RomanticComedy = rom zom com (Warm Bodies))

Sub-genre - a subcategory within a particular

genre.(a film type that fits in with a main genre type(thriller, Horror, western etc), but has alsodeveloped its own conventions and audienceexpectations - (see the myriad different types ofThriller: action, psychological, political. Horror:Slasher, Zombie etc).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rxPOPMxDwA

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

51/62

Other theorist ideas on genre:

'The boundaries between genres are shifting and becoming more permeable' -

 Nicholas Abercrombie

This quote brings up discussion around the idea that genres are not static, they are constantly evolving due to 1) audiencedemands and trends, and 2) hybrid films (a mix of two or more genres).

 Is your product a hybrid? Does your product reflect contemporary audience demands, rather than sticking to a classic

 genre type? 

 Repetition and Variation - Thomas Schatz This is idea that audiences want to have some idea what they are going to watch, however, in order to keep things freshthere are times when audiences need to be altered. So in short, filmmakers working within a genre need to walk a line:expand, develop, elaborate on the genre, but keep it under the overall structure of the specific genre umbrella.What elements of your chosen genre did you keep and what elements did you subvert or change in order to keep your

 product fresh?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

52/62

Narrative Structure? 

In media terms, narrative is the organisation given to a series of events.

The human mind needs a narrative to make sense. We understand narratives usingour experience of reality and of previous 'real' media texts.

In everything we seek a beginning, a middle and an end (closure)

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

53/62

!"#"$"% '""()# *+ +,) -*. /*$$*+0%)1 *$) 1+$23+2$)#4 5) 1266)1+)#

,"- 0/ 7"1+ /*$$*+0%)1 +,)$) 01 1"7) 1"$+ "8 3,*/6) +,*+ +,)/ ,*1 +"9) $)1"'%)#4•   !"# %&''&()*# +#,)%- .)(" ("# ):20'09$027 /+&0&%1#2%3'4&0)(5 #(167

•   8( -34# 93)%( )% ("# -(3'5 ("# #:;)0)+');4 )-#01$2;+)# +5 1"&%,#<

•  !")- +')%,- #01):20'09$027=

•   >3' ("# 1"&'&1(#'- &%? ("# &;?)#%1# (3 @##0 ("&( &00 )- .#00 &,&)%7 ("# #:;)0)+');4 4;-( +# $)1+"$)# 3' &

%#. 9#&1#@;0 #:;)0)+');4 1'#&(#?<

Think of a film you have seen where this

narrative pattern is evident...

!

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

54/62

• Claude Levi-

Strauss - Binary oppositions:

Constant creation of conflict/

opposition drives the narrative.

Opposites can be visual 

(light/darkness, young/old) orconceptual (love/hate, good/evil).

• How can you apply his theories

on narrative to your own work?

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

55/62

!"" &

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

56/62

 !""#$ '()*$ + ,*-."#) /#))#012(3 1$ &*$0('4*)#)5 &1$('#

A% (")- +33B7 C&4#'3% )?#%()@)#? D (59#- ?)@@#'#%( (59#- 3@%&''&()*# ("&( '#@0#1( ()4# +&-#? 3% "3. ("#5 "&*# +##%

4&%)9;0&(#? /1;(2#?)(#?6<

A4 B/*3,$"/03 C*$$*+0%)=

!")- )- ("# 43-( -;)(&+0# @3' 53;' .3'B /8E (#&-#' ('&)0#'6

8%&1"'3%)1 43?;0&' %&''&()*#- )%*30*# @0&-"+&1B- F @0&-"@3'.&'?-

9'3*)?)%, ;%1#'(&)%(5 +#(.##% ("# 1"'3%303,)1&0 3'?#' 3@ #*#%(-

&%? ("# 3'?#' )% .")1" ("#5 &'# '#0&(#? )% & 903(<

GH&490#- 3@ (")- )% 4&)%-('#&4 1)%#4& .3;0? +#I !"#$ &'()'*+ , -./.+)*<

Q: How did you manipulate time within your production's

narrative?

A di

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

57/62

Hypodermic Needle Theory

....suggests that audiences passively receive theinformation transmitted via a media text, withoutany attempt on their part to process or challengethe data.

This theory suggests that, as an audience,

we are manipulated by the creators of mediatexts, and that our behaviour and thinkingmight be easily changed by media-makers.

ie, Watching violent films can make you violent(Jamie Bulger killings)

(Adorno & Horkheimer, 1970s)

Audience

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

58/62

Reception TheoryExtending the concept of an active audience still further, the way individualsreceived and interpreted a text, and how their individual circumstances(gender, class, age, ethnicity) affected their reading.

Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model is a theory on the relationshipbetween a media text and an audience.

The text is encoded by the producer, and decoded by the reader, and theremay be major differences between two different readings of the same code.

However, by using recognised codes and conventions, and by drawing uponaudience expectations relating to aspects such as genre and use of stars, theproducers can position the audience and thus create a certain amount ofagreement on what the code means. This is known as a preferred reading.

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

59/62

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

60/62

(Blumler, Katz &

McQuail)

!

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

61/62

Richard Dyer:

Representation

S ifi R t ti

8/15/2019 1a & 1b Recap

62/62

Laura Mulvey - "Male Gaze"Mulvey argues that cinema position the audience as male. Thecamera gazes at the female object on screen often framing thecharacter watching the female.Traditionally, women in their appearance are coded for a strong

visual and erotic impact which implies 'to-be-looked-at-ness'. As we(the audience) gaze at these women they are objectified andcontrolled.

Do you believe your product positions the audience as male? Does itcontrol and objectify women? Does it represent gender in a moresubversive way?

Specific Representation -

Gender 

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

The Girl Next Door (2004)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9asrI7gFeWQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAnNvnViJpo