Saturday, March 29, 2008

Mock Exams & Revsion

Don't forget...mock exams are straight after the holiday and you should all be revising hard for them NOW! This is your only chance to practise these questions and develop these skills under full test conditions so make the most of the opportunity - if you haven't prepared you'll be wasting both your own and your teacher's time as the only feedback you'll get is 'do some work' - not very helpful when the purpose is to help you improve for the real thing on June 2nd.

The dates/times are (in case you've not been listening in lessons)...
  • MODULE 2 Mock for 12C1 & 12C2 - Wednesday 23-04, periods 1 & 2
  • MODULE 1 Mock for 12C1 & 12C2 - Friday 25-04, periods 5 & 6
  • MODULE 2 Mock for 12D1 - Thursday 24-04, periods 5 & 6
  • MODULE 1 Mock for 12D1 - Friday 25-04, periods 1 & 2
Your revision/preparation should be...

MODULE 1
  • Revision of MIGRAIN - key questions to ask, keywords/glossary + film language worksheets.
  • MIGRAIN analysis of moving image texts...
  1. extracts, title sequences and opening sequences from any genre of TV programme, film or video game (soap, sitcom, documentary, news, gangster, thriller, etc.).
  2. TV adverts, film trailers, or music videos.
(Remember to spend 15 minutes note-taking/planning; one hour writing).

MODULE 2
  • Read through all notes and handouts on the key texts...
  • Film & Broadcast Fiction - 'Bullet Boy', 'Kidulthood'.
  • Documentary - 'Bowling for Columbine', 'Man With a Movie Camera', 'Triumph of the Will' + the history of documentary.
  • Read through all 'Film & Broadcast Fiction' & 'Documentary' past questions.
  • Use the AQA Past Question Papers & Mark Schemes website (and this includes Module 1 papers too).
  • Write essay plans for as many different questions as possible.
  • Complete at least one timed essay for each topic (Film, Doc - 45 minutes/question).
Good luck and make sure you turn up on time!!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Med 3 Blog Links

You'll notice in the sidebar that - finally - you can access many of your Practical Production blogs by clicking on the links. There are some really impressive ones and the following three (at the moment) deserve special mention...

Pyar Ki Ek Kahani
Really detailed accounts of the production process with lots of stills from the shoot make this an interesting and informative blog.

Sound of the Underdogs
A nicely customised blog showing good IT skills and featuring regular posts.

Face of Fear
Lots of ongoing research and loads of shots of work in progress...well presented too and demonstrating loads of commitment.

The other superb blog at the moment is the one that's all about you...

The Media Mentors' Blog 2008
You should be checking back on this one every few days because it has some excellent feedback about your productions that you should be listening to carefully. Remember...the mentors have already been through the process and they all know exactly what is required to get a top grade.

It will also be really useful for deciding what to say in your 1000-word evaluations because they help identify both strengths and weaknesses in your work, using the technical media terminology that will get you good marks. And, from what they're saying, you're getting on really well with the editing...so well done! But don't forget...your films must be finished by the next holiday (in two weeks' time!)

If your blog isn't listed up here yet, or if there are any mistakes (wrong class, title, etc.) then let me know by leaving a comment at the end of the post. Make sure you have all provided this info by next Tuesday when we return after Easter. And make sure each and every one of you keeps posting to your blog at least once a week!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Hitman Advert

For 12 c2, to be completed by Monday 10-03-08...

This is a version of the text that appeared in the January Module 1 exam. Please carry out a MIGRAIN analysis of it (at least two sides) remembering to include a decent introduction (covering form & function) and conclusion, and not forgetting 'concept flow' (especially M-R-A-I) or to include some background institutional info that you researched last week.