Media Studies Conference

For all Year 12 students...

Don't forget to be on time on Monday - 8.45am outside school - and to bring pen/paper etc.

Homework to do this week in relation to the Media Conference...


TASK ONE

Read the three related internet articles either before or after (before is better) at the following links...

Tony Benn's views of politics and the media
He's the guy above on the right during his celebrated Ali G interview when he took offence at Ali G referring to women as 'bitches'. Do you agree with his criticisms of the media?

Fuad Omar's homepage
The Bollywood producer's site has an enthusiastic article about the pleasure to be had from movies called 'The Medium of Film' in the 'Outtakes' section. Do you share his passion about films?

Guy Cumberbatch's response to new media research
In this BBC website article, the leading researcher into media effects (the impact the media has on audiences) challenges a new finding that claims teenagers should only watch one hour a day or they will be damaged by it. What do you think?

TASK TWO

Go to the Macguffin Forum and follow the links to the discussions on Tony Benn, Fuad Omar and Guy Cumberbatch. (These won't appear until after we've been to the conference). Then respond to the questions posed, making use of your notes from the conference and the articles posted above.

Each posting needs to be at least one paragraph (so you'll write three in total) and there will be credits for the best ones. Make sure you log in before posting so that it gets counted. This needs to be done by Thursday 8th December for 12C and for Monday 12th December for 12D.

TASK THREE

Also, remember that you also need to type up your conference notes for each of the seven lectures. These have to be ready for the same time as the forum posts.

Date For Your Diary - Debate

For 12C & 12D students...

The first annual GHS Media Studies Debate takes place on Wednesday 14th December at 3.25 in the Post-16 Centre. It will be Year 12 homework that week for all students to attend - a register will be taken. For more info about the event please go to Annual Media Debate on the Year 13 page.

As Year 12 students, you are playing the part of the all-important audience but you will also get opportunities to ask questions to the debating teams and to give your opinions on the topics. In addition, we will be needing some Year 12s to act as the chairpersons during each of the three debates - to introduce speakers and to keep order. Are you tough enough? We will be asking for volunteers next week - it would look great on your UCAS form.

Crucially, you will all learn a great deal about important media issues by attending and find out how to debate for when it's your turn. Perhaps we need to have one sooner for you - before next year? 12C vs 12D anyone?

New 'Student Voice' Forums

In response to suggestions made during a recent 12C lesson, Macguffin has added two new Student Voice forums to the 'Macguffin Forum'...

Student Voice - Media Debates

This is where you can post info and discuss any media-related topics. Try to avoid commenting here on 'Film & Broadcast Fiction' and 'Documentary' - these subjects should be covered in the other forums.

Things you might want to think about here include:

New technology, like the internet, websites and video games

Music and radio

Magazines and newspapers

TV and films that don't fit into the other forums

Advertising

It's up to you - good topics that you raise we can discuss in lessons if enough people seem interested. Make sure, though, that the debate is about Media and not just something that has been covered in the media (the latter needs to go in the 'Any Topic' forum).

Don't forget - any of these areas could come up for the Module 1 exam so any of these discussions could prove to be very useful.

Get posting - there will be credits for the most prolific and most thoughtful!!

Student Voice - Any Topic

12C also requested a place where they (and 12D) could (occasionally) veer off the main topic of Media Studies to consider other things - a very good idea, I think, and who knows where it might lead.

My hope is that it will offer more opportunities to interact with other media students - some, perhaps, who you wouldn't with normally - and this will create a better, more positive learning environment at school.

Do remember, though, that you have a responsibility to post appropriate material here only. This forum is linked to the main Macguffin site so it could well be accessed by other staff and students (and possibly even members of the public). Do not let down the school or me!

• NO swearing.

• NO references to sex.

• NO personal criticisms.

You get the idea...have a good time!!

Bullet Boy Homework

For 12C students…

Mr Munro informs me that a number of people in the class didn’t follow the very clear instructions that were provided about work you had to do during my absence on Thursday and Friday (20/21-10-05).

Here is a reminder:

‘BULLET BOY’ MIGRAIN BRAINSTORM

• Take seven sheets of A4


• On each sheet, cover a different Key Concept in relation to ‘Bullet Boy’


• Try to include as detailed notes as possible on each one


• Use the Key Concepts questions from the specification (and film reviews from the internet) to help you

(pages 21,22: 9.4.1-9.4.7). Also available at Key Concepts Questions.

• Compare your ‘Bullet Boy’ MIGRAIN Brainstorms with at least three different people in the class. Add any points that you didn’t include on each of the seven pages.


• Make a list of as many points you can remember – with as much detail as possible – of the questions asked and the answers given by the Verve Pictures producer at the ‘Bullet Boy’ screening.


• Don’t forget the other homework – go to Macguffin and see the post for October 13th entitled ‘Media Awards Evening ‘05’.

All work must be completed by Thursday 03-11-05.

Your interim report grades will be informed by this!

Media Awards Evening '05

There is more anticipation than ever before in advance of this year's Media Awards Evening. Tickets are going fast and the final decisions about who will win the various prizes on offer are being kept secret - especially who will get the £1500 of prize money, kindly donated by Donal Macintyre.

But whoever wins the actual awards - everyone needs to know that the standard of productions was higher than ever this year. Year 13s - you're all winners! (Just think about the amazing results you got!)

Year 12 students...

Don't forget you have a lot to learn from this event and you need to complete the following:

• Read all the reviews in the programme booklet

• Choose your two favourite productions - one documentary, one fiction

• Post a comment to this blog entry - on the main Macguffin page - in which you say what you think the best production was and why

(You will need to register as a blogger user first: Set up your own blog by clicking on the 'Get your own blog' link at the top of this page. Keep your login details - that's your username and password - because you'll need these in future. Include your first name at the end of the posting)

• Vote in the Macguffin Poll - Best Media Production 2005 - that is on the left of this page
  

• Write a detailed review on paper for each of your two favourites - use the film review guidelines you received in September and don't forget to comment on MCCAT (Media language, Conventions, Creativity, Attention to detail, Technical Proficieny)

Produce a one page summary entitled: "What Makes A Good Practical Production"