Exam preparation - Q1aYou could be asked to describe and evaluate your skills development in any of the following areas:• Research & Planning• Using conventions of real media texts• Digital technology• Post-production• Creativity

Today, we are focusing on research and planning.

Research and Planning1. In pairs, use post-it notes to write down

as many things as you can remember doing as part of the research and planning for your A2 production work.

One aspect of research and planning per post-it.You have 4 minutes…

Research and Planning2. Now divide these Post-it notes into those

that you think come under research and those that you think come under planning.

3. Go through the following slides to check, and add to, your Post-it notes.

Research and Planning

Research refers to looking at real media and also audiences to inform your thinking about a media production.

Planning refers to all the creative and logistical thinking and all the organisation and record keeping that goes on in putting the production together so that everything works.

ResearchResearch can be further broken down into the following areas:

1. Research into conventions of real media texts

A large part of this research will have involved textual analysis of a range of teaser trailers, posters and film magazine covers. This is primary research.

You may also have carried out some secondary research, for example to learn about conventional features of your chosen genre, or perhaps to learn more about the use of technical aspects, e.g. use of sound in film.

Research2. Audience research• Primary research (feedback questionnaires, vox pops, etc.)• Secondary research (Pearl & Dean data, IMDB info, etc.)

3. Technical research, e.g.:• How to achieve a particular camera shot• How to use features in the software to achieve a particular effect (many

of you found YouTube video tutorials to find out how to do something in Final Cut Pro or Adobe Photoshop)

4. Logistical research, e.g.:• Researching suitable locations• Research to find the best props, costume, etc.

PlanningPlanning involves a wide range of creative and organisational skills, for example:

• developing ideas• writing a synopsis• Planning and drafting shots/storyboards• creating shot lists• creating animatics• organisation of equipment, costumes, props, locations, actors,

crew - compiling filming schedules and call sheets helped with this.

• carrying out risk assessments

Research and PlanningYou should have been able to add a few more Post-it notes to each section.

4. Access your Foundation Portfolio journal on Mahara and look back at what research and planning you did in your AS year and what it was like.

What research and planning skills did you learn during AS? Write a ‘learnt during AS’ list.

How did this help your AS final production? What were you able to achieve? Write a brief summary.

Now look back at your Post-it notes, did you do any additional research and planning at A2 that you didn’t do at AS? Write a ‘learnt during A2’ list.

Have you improved any of your skills in research and planning since AS? (If not, can you at least now do the same tasks more independently?) Write a brief summary. The following slide may help…

Skills in Research and PlanningExamples of skills you may have

developed in research:

Skills in using the internet to find relevant and reliable materials (e.g. skills in using search engines and in selecting and evaluating sources)

Skills in referencing and understanding issues around copyright

Textual analysis skills (the ability to break down a text, identify how it is constructed and interpret the messages that are communicated to an audience). You were analysing the micro elements (camerawork, mise en scene, editing and sound) to consider the macro features (meaning created in terms of genre, narrative, representation and audience).

Skills in using technology to collect information or organise, share and present your findings

Examples of skills you may have developed in planning:

Skills in drafting and storyboarding (ability to visualise and clearly communicate your ideas/vision to others).

Ability to create accurate and effective planning documents (e.g. shot lists, call sheets, schedules, risk assessments, etc.)

Working as part of a team to complete your production to a good standard before the deadline (may involve skills in leadership, delegation, mediation, co-operation, time management, etc.)

Research and PlanningWatch your AS opening sequence.

Now look back through your A2 final products.

Has your improved level of skills in research and planning led to an improvement in your production work? How is this demonstrated? Note down examples from your final productions.

Research and PlanningUse your notes to write an essay plan

for this Q1a exam question:

Describe how you developed research and planning skills for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to creative decision making. Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time.

Refer to Liz’s Q1a page on Mahara for guidance on structuring your answer.