Cover Work (VAN) Th Dec 16 (single) & Fr Dec 17 (double)

Go to and view 3 times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU3G7EEFnwQ
This is a film trailer for London to Brighton.

Post your textual analysis of the trailer to your blog. Ensure that you have answered the following questions in detail (300 words on each):

Media Forms: How does the trailer use media language to estabilsh the film's genre?
Media Representations: How is gender represented in the trailer?
Media Institutions: In what ways is the film London to Brighton typical of a low budget British film?
Media Audiences: In what ways does the trailer promote the film to its target audience?

Due January 3rd 2011 on your blog.

ALSO, you need to independently research your three primary texts for the Case Study and be ready with brainstorming and good solid knowledge of your issue/area of study by the first lesson back (Thursday Jan 6th). You can show this brainstorming on the blog or bring it onpaper to class.

12C1 Self Evaluations

To be completed by 12C1 students by Thursday 16/12.

SELF EVALUATION

Write an evaluation of your progress on the Media course so far.
Post the work up on your blogs.

a. Comment on each of the following, giving yourself a grade with an explanation outlining why:

(Grading should be1-5: 1 = excellent, 2 = v. good, 3 = good/average, 4 = poor, 5 = v. poor)

• Attainment
• Effort
• Punctuality
• Submission and quality of homework
• Ability to work independently
• Quality of writing
• Organisation of blog
• Oral contributions in class

b. Make a list of three achievements (www) and three targets/areas for improvement (ebi) over the next half-term.

12C Cross Media Case Study HW - Due 4/1/11

Create a 5 minute presentation on one of your three primary texts for the Cross Media Case study to be delivered on 4 January 2010. You will need to refer to one primary text and at least 3 related texts over the 3 different platforms (broadcast, print, e-media)

Answer the following questions in your presentation:
How are texts in the three platforms constructed?
• Are there similarities and differences in the way the area is dealt with in each platform?
• What type of media language is used and how?
• How are genre codes used?
• How do texts within the three platforms construct narrative?

How do audiences access texts across the three platforms?
• Do the texts enable different types of audience activity and/or interaction?
• Are audiences able to play a role in the construction of media texts? (UGC)
• Are there differences in the audience gratifications offered across the three platforms?

How are representations constructed and are there similarities and/or differences across the platforms?
• What values and ideologies are communicated within the representation?

What institutional issues are raised by the topic areas?
• How are institutions reacting to change in technology?
• How are institutions attempting to reach and engage their audiences?
• What economic issues are behind the construction and distribution of contemporary media texts?

Keywords/issues: synergy, intertextuality, cross-media promotion, public service remit and other obligations, censorship & control, news and entertainment values, the technologies used in the production and reception process.

Post all your research to your blog and email your presentation to lwigley before the lesson on 4/1/10

MEST 2 Film Pitch

For all Year 12 students...

Organise yourselves into the groups that you want to work in for your practical productions (remember that the maximum number allowed by the exam board in a group is four) and complete the MEST 2 blogs task (see posting below).

Look carefully at the following documents, making notes to help you...

• The brief you have been issued with for your practical production coursework.
• The specification outline of the unit.
• The MEST 2 mark scheme.

Your first task is to prepare a film pitch (where you would try to sell your idea to Prime Time Productions to get the budget you require of £5m).

Prepare a presentation in which you can make use of PowerPoint, video, multimedia (Moviemaker) etc. to include the following for your pitch:

• Overview of the idea (film treatment) explaining the genre of your film (its use of conventions, iconography, etc.); a synopsis of the narrative (referring to narrative theory, e.g. Todorov, Barthes, Levi Strauss); details of setting (mise en scene); characters (use Propp's character terminology, refer to stereotypes: challenged/reinforced?), etc.. Ensure you also discuss some film language ideas (cinematography, lighting, sound, editing) and employ competent use of the key concepts (MIGRAIN) and media terminology.
• Explore fully how your film would appeal to more than the mainstream 16-25 youth market. Refer to audience demographics (gender, class: socio-economic group, ethnicity) and psychographics. Use Young & Rubicam's 4Cs.
• Address what content is likely to be in this film that would mean the trailer could only be shown in cinemas showing films that have been classified as 15 or 18. Use the BBFC Classification Guidelines to help you.

Bear in mind that in order to make a meaningful trailer (where you condense the narrative using a montage of shots) you must understand the full narrative structure of your film.

After Xmas - on 4th January 2011 - you will pitch your ideas to the 'film board' to see if they consider your idea suitable for funding. You must all play a part in the pitch process!

Remember from here on in this is all about being CREATIVE, let's see the creativity start flowing now and not just have people reading from the whiteboard! Use this guide about how to prevent Death by PowerPoint, especially the checklist on slide 58.

To get an idea of how NOT to pitch a film please see the Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn attempt!

MEST 2 Blogs

For all Year 12 students...

In your production groups, set up a new blog that will record your progress in MEST 2 (Creating Media).

We expect this to help you because...

• It will be a place where your group can suggest ideas, make decisions and draw up action plans.
• As a result you will be clearer with each other about what needs to be done - how, when and by whom.
• You will receive comments, feedback and peer assessment about your ongoing work from other groups, as well as reflecting on it yourselves - writing weekly progress reports, carrying out self-assessment by identifying www/ebi and next steps.
• Over time it will serve as on online record of your achievements (the group's and yours, as an individual) that you can use as evidence of the pre-production work - research and planning - needed for submission to the examiner.
• This will be monitored by your teachers and will ensure you are rewarded fairly when it comes to assessment.
• It will be helpful to refer back to when writing your formal 1500 word evaluation (for the examiner).

Once the blog is set up you each have the following tasks to complete and submit as separate posts on your blog before Tuesday 4th January 2011...

• A short outline of your project so far (obviously this may change but use info from the film pitch - above - you're also doing for homework).

• Information about the research that you have done so far and the ideas it has given you.

Remember - every individual in the group must make their own separate posts. Also, make sure you include your name at the end of each one so you can be identified. And, crucially, make sure that one person in the group posts up the blog web address, project working title and group members at the end of this message so that a quick link to it can be added on this page.

You will be required individually to add to this on a weekly basis, to cover the following...

• outlining the work planned and equipment to be used;
• reporting on what was achieved;
• reflecting on the outcome and whether it was different from what was planned and why.

It will also be expected for there to be photos and stills from your shoot and production as it starts to take shape...storyboards, still frames from the footage you've shot, print production drafts, etc.. The whole thing should eventually look like a big online scrapbook of your project that will culminate in the finished piece - uploaded and streamed into people's homes via the internet. Of course there will be credits, commendations and perhaps even prizes for the most committed and interesting bloggers.

Also, for homework, check out the MEST2 Blogs from last year (MEST2 CW Blogs 09-10) and the year before (12C1 Groups 08-09) that you can get to via the links on the sidebar to the left (scroll down a bit). In particular, look at the outstanding examples from last year: The Night Has A Thousand Lies, Screwed and One Step 2 Far; and from the year before: the group that produced the horror trailer, Obsession - all of these, understandably, got a grade A.

It's also worth looking at some Med 3 blogs from earlier years (when the specification was a bit different but where they still completed a video production). Particular good ones include Lost is a Reflection, Teenage Daze, Guilt, A Life of Grime, and Three Shades of Red. Get going!!

Buddy Mentor List

YR13 - MENTOR	YR12 - BUDDY
Vardan	Aftab & Farhan
Ranjot	Ramita & Kevin
Sejal	Shna
Megan & Osman	Jehpal & Sonam
Fuad	Herprit
Bianca & Raminder	Uzair
Anaam	Lalit & Sivagowsi
Raheam	Tanveer
Sonia	Shukri
Kalbir	Mark
Madhia	Sital
Videk	Masud
Joel	Ameet
Jason	Natalie
Amardeep	Shahid
Herprit	Farhiyo
Dilwinder	Zainab
Manpreet	Prabhmeet
Mariam	Rabia
Parminder	Hardepp
Nikki	Nida
Ricki	Pavan
Sonal	Jason
Bilaal	Amar
Yusra	Naomi
Ahmed	Waqas
Asha	Kulsoom
Hassan	Harpreet
Shaurav	Olivia

12C - New Moon Analysis - Due 13/12/10

Answer the following questions in detail on the trailer for New Moon which we analysed in class:

Media Language: What techniques does this trailer use to persuade an audience to see the film?
Representation: How is gender represented in the this trailer?
Audience: What target audience would be attracted to this film? Give evidence.
Institutions: What Hollywood values can you identify in this trailer?

Write at least 1000 words

Due on your blog: 13/12/10

12B - Trailer Analysis HW - Due 13/12/10

Post the trailer for your favourite british film on your blog. Then answer the following questions in no less than 600 words:

Which trailer conventions are present and what is their effect on the audience?
How does the trailer use media language (camera, mise-en-scene, editing, sound) to the establish the film's genre?
Who is the target audience and how do you know?
How effective do you think the trailer is in promoting the film? Why?

Due on your blog: 13/12/10

12C London to Brighton Trailer - Textual Analysis HW - Due 7/12/10

Post your textual analysis of the London to Brighton trailer you completed in class to your blog. Ensure that you have answered the following questions in detail:

1. Media Forms: How does the trailer use media language to estabilsh the film's genre?
2. Media Representations: How is gender represented in the trailer?
3. Media Institutions: In what ways is the film London to Brighton typical of a low budget British film?
4. Media Audiences: In what ways does the trailer promote the film to its target audience?

Due on your blog 7/12/10

Year 12 Film Language Essay

For 12C, to be submitted on Tue 7/12...

Analyse a two minute sequence from a film of your choice (any genre: horror, thriller, action, comedy, etc.), using the media terminology you've covered in the Film Language pack (see below)...

















Tips:

• Don't just describe the techniques but also analyse them.
• Explain WHY particular techniques have been used - what is the intended effect on the audience?
• Include other media terminology and other Key Concepts as well as media language.

Requirements:

• Must be hand-written: TWO SIDES of A4 minimum.
• Also type it up and post it on your blog.
• Include the embedded clip on your blog if possible.

12B Editing Analysis HW Due 6/12/10

Watch the scene from The Untouchables at least 3 times (taking notes on the second and third viewings).

On your blog, write a definition for the word 'suspense'

Then write at least 500 words answering the following questions:

1. How is editing used to build suspense in the scene?
2. How is time 'expanded' through the use of editing as the pram falls down the steps?

Consider the effect of:
Long takes
Cuts to point of view shots
Fast cutting
cross cutting

Due on your blog 6/12/10

12C - HW due 30/11/10

Read this article about Murdoch's new 'iNewspaper' carefully then answer the following questions in detail on your blog:

1. Why are Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch working together on this joint venture? What will be the benefits for each of them? Could collaborating present any disadvantages for either Murdoch or Jobs?
   
2. How will other media institutions be affected by the introduction of the Daily for the iPad?
3. Write a definition for the term synergy. Is the Daily an example of synergy? Explain.
4. Write a definition for the term convergence. Is the Daily an example of convergence? Explain.
5. Which other newspapers have successfully launched web editions?
6. Why is Murdoch "running counter to current thinking" regarding online newspapers?
   
7. The Daily is intended to combine "a tabloid sensibility with a broadsheet intelligence". Explain what this means.
8. A survey found that "...readers spent more time immersed in their iPads than they did – comparatively speaking — on the internet, where unfocused surfing is typical." Why do you think this is?
9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this collaboration between News Corporation and Apple for the audience/consumer? Explain your ideas in as much detail as possible.
10. Do you think the Daily will be a success? Why/Why not?

Due on your blog: 30/11/10

12B Cover Work Thurs 2nd & Friday Dec 3rd (VAN) Due Fri Dec 3

Thursday Dec 2:
Case Study
Begin researching your area of interest for the Case Study. Write initial notes about your 3 primary texts and create a brainstorm or mind-map showing how these 3 texts cover all three platforms - eMedia, Print and Broadcast. What "branches" do each of these have?

Friday Dec 3:
Textual Analysis:
View the attached trailer (New Moon) several times then answer the following questions on your blog. I will be checking your blogs over the weekend of Dec 4&5 so make sure it is done during the lesson time we would normally have:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs79_5n848Q (Paste it into a new browser page)

What techniques does this trailer use to persuade an audience to see the film?
How is gender represented in this trailer?
What target audience would be attracted to this film?
What Hollywood values can you identify in this trailer?

Write in full sentences and paragraphs (not notes and/or bullet points) Aim to write 300 words on each question.

12B Homework GHD Textual Analayis Questions Due Wed Dec 1st (VAN)

Based on the discussion in lesson on Friday November 26th, write up your answers to the following questions for the GHD Textual Analysis: (sentences and paragraphs, NOT notes or bullet points). Post your answers on your blog.

GHD Straighteners – broadcast end of Nov/beginning of Dec on E4 and E4+1 channels.
1. Codes & Conventions of advertising: What techniques does the ad use to persuade the audience to purchase GHD straighteners?
2. Representation: How is gender represented in the ad?
3. Media Institution: What issues of regulation and censorship does this ad raise and what does it tell us about the values of the channels on which it was broadcast?
4. Audience: On the basis of this ad, who does the GHD brand appeal to?

12B HW Due 29/11/10

On your blog, make a detailed list of trailer conventions

Watch the trailers for Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting several times.

Then answer the following questions on your blog. Write at least 600 words.
Which trailer conventions are present in these trailers?
How are the trailer conventions used to promote the film to an audience?
Which trailer do you think is more successful? Why?

Due 29/11/10

12B Homework Due Wed Nov 24th

Find a contemporary film trailer on the internet. Paste the link into your blog and answer the follwing questions on the trailer:

Media Forms:
What techniques does this trailer use to persuade an audience to see the film?
 
Media Representations:
How are men represented in this trailer?
 
Media Audiences:
On the basis of this trailer, what target audience would be attracted to this film?
 
Media Institutions:
What Hollywood values and characteristics can you identify in this trailer?

Write at least one detailed paragraph on each question. If you don't know what Hollywood characteristics are, look it up!!

12C HW - Due 22/11/10

On you blog, list the stages a film goes through from the initial idea to exhibition in the cinema.

Use this website if you need help

What is film distribution? Write a careful explanation.

What was the Hollywood 'studio system' in the 1930's and 40's? In what ways is the process of film production, distribution and exhibition different today?

Write a definition of the following and give two examples for each term:

• Horizontal integration
• Vertical integration

Also ensure that you have completed this HW
Due on you blog: 22/11/10

12B HW due 22/11/10

Watch the scene from Bladerunner carefully at least 5 times. While watching make notes on the following:

Shot type: Long shot, medium shot, point of view shot etc

Camera Angle: High angle, low angle

Camera movement: Track, pan, tilt

Mise-en-scene: All that is in the frame - this includes: colour. lighting, costume, actors and their body language, props. What are the connotations of all things you see?

Sound - Diegetic sound (sound which seems to be part of what is occurring on screen). Non-diegetic sound (sound that we know is not part of what is on screen, such as music and voice-over/narration)

Editing - How are the shots placed together to create a certain effect?

Genre - What is the genre? What iconography is present?

Now on your blog post an analysis of the scene which explains the effect of all the above elements on the audience. Use as much media language as possible and highlight all the media language you use in a different colour. Your analysis should be at least 600 words. Ensure that your work is posted on your blog by Monday 22/11/10.

12B Homework Due: Wed Nov 17th by 5pm

Please go to your school email and read the two attached articles. Write a summary of each article (post on your blog) taking special consideration of how new technology impacts the contemporary media landscape.

12C - HW Due 15/11/10

1. Select a film produced by Twentieth Century Fox for exhibition in the UK (www.foxmovies.com)
2. Research the many different ways it is brought to the attention of an audience through the use of other media companies associated with Fox and News Corporation. Remember, bad publicity is often as useful as good publicity. Also consider what additional tie-ins are used to promote the film, for example, links with fast-food chains, toy companies, mobile phone companies and/ or computer game manufacturers. Post all your research on your blog.
3. Make a 3 minute powerpoint presentaton about your findings to present to the class. Email it to Ms Wigley by 14/11/10.

12B - Work for Monday 8 November and HW

Watch the scene from 'Kill Bill' carefully at least 5 times. While watching takes notes on the following:

Shot type: Long shot, medium shot, close-up, point of view shot etc
Camera angle: High angle, low angle
Camera movement: Track, pan, tilt
Mise-en-scene - all that is in the frame - this includes: colour, lighting, costume, actors and their body language, props.
Sound - Diegetic sound (Sound that seems to be part of what is occurring on screen).
Non-diegetic sound (sound that we know is not part of what is on screen, such as music and voice-over)
Editing - how are the shots placed together to create a certain effect?
Genre - what iconography is present?

Now, on you blog, post an analysis of the scene for which explains the effect of all the above elements on the audience. Highlight all the media language you use in a different colour. Your analysis should be at least 600 words. Ensure that your work is posted on your blog by Thursday 11 November.

12B Film Homework: Due before Thurs Nov 11 (VAN)

Part A:
 What film genres are the most popular at present? Why do you think this is? (Consider technology, social & economic context)
 What genres do you think were popular back in the 1930’s and 1940’s? Why? Give examples and show evidence of research

Part B:
 Select a film produced by Twentieth Century Fox for exhibition in the UK (www.foxmovies.com)
 Research the many different ways it is brought to the attention of an audience through the use of other media companies associated with Fox and News Corporation. Remember, bad publicity is often as useful as good publicity.
 Also consider what additional tie-ins are used to promote the film, for example, links with fast-food chains, toy companies, mobile phone companies and/ or computer game manufacturers.
 Make a poster or a multi-media presentation about your findings to present to the class. Either email it to Ms VDS or bring it on your USB - do not come to class wihtout it on USB or having emailed it BEFOREHAND. (Do not ask to log on in the lesson)

DUE: All answers to questions due on your blog before class on Thurs Nov 11th and the PowerPoint or poster should be brought to class on paper (if doing a poster) or emailed to Ms VDS or brought on USB (if doing a multi-media presentation)

12C Media Ownership Research Task for 1/11/10 and 2/11/10 and HW

Read the Media Ownership Sheet

1. Media texts are profit motivated. Consider this in the light of TV news. What issues does this raise?

2. Which media companies do you think could be accused of having too much power and control in our society?

Task: First answer the 2 questions above in as much detail as possible on your blog. Then research the following 5 media institutions and post all your findings to your blog. Use pictures to illustrate your findings. Then create a 10 minute powerpoint presentation summarising your findings for all 5 institutions (2 minutes on each institution). Be ready to present to the class. All work is due on your blog by 4/11/10.

· Time Warner

· News Corporation

· Viacom

· Sony

· Vivendi

Find out:

· Which brands/products are owned by these 5 media institutions?

· Which media platforms (print, broadcasting, e-media) do the brands/products operate on?

· Which products is the media institution currently developing/promoting?

· Which alliances/mergers is the institution currently involved in? Why?

· What profits did the institution make in 2009? What this more or less than usual? Why?

· Who owns Fox News, Sky News and CNN News?

· As a result of your research, do you think it is important to have a public service broadcaster like the BBC to provide news? Why/Why not?

· Write a paragraph answering the following question: ‘Do you think media ownership should be regulated? Why/why not?’