Half Term Homework Feb 2014

Below is the question I would like you to do for Fri 28 Feb:

From January 2011 exam:

Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media products in a a media area you have studied.

As is, and will always be the case, though you may not immediately realise it, you have enough noted in your books to answer this (or any other) question.

It's all about knowing what will always by expected.

1. A competent grasp of media terminology
2. Examples from at least two case studies - preferably one from a Hollywood production (Star Trek) and one from the independent sector (Shifty).
3. The ability to apply EXPLANATION/ARGUMENT & ANALYSIS to the given question.

Always ensure you know what the question is asking by identifying the key words.

Discuss - you don't have to agree or disagree with anything - you merely have to show that you understand what you've learned

Key issues - what we've been learning. In this case how and why small independent producers fare in the marketplace compared to Hollywood producers and how the rise in the use of digital technology has affected their ability to compete AND how Hollywood has responded with it's use of digital technology.

Media Ownership - this always flummoxes students. By ownership, they simply means, who owns the product at any given stage of production. So all that is being referred to is the PRODUCTION companies and the DISTRIBUTION companies (these are always different at the level of low budget independent film making).

Production and exchange -  See above. This refers to the business practices that go along with production and distribution (the course specification talks about "exhibition and exchange" all this refers to is the different outlets that now exist for consumers to get the product because of digital technology. Exhibition tends to mainly refer to cinema screenings, whereas exchange can mean anything from DVD/BLURAY to a download to your phone or laptop or straight to your SMART TV).
In regards to the distribution aspect of this question, you must also consider marketing methods and will be expected to acknowledge the importance of cross-media convergence (both in raising the film's profile through marketing methods and consumption of the products) and the influence of synergy in raising awareness but also in maximising profits. This is one of the areas where the ownership of the film will become most significant - consider the vast number of "tie-ins" with third parties for Star Trek.

Note on Audiences

Remember  this unit is called Audiences and Institutions you will therefore be expected to demonstrate your understanding of how different films are constructed with a specific audience in mind (this is an institutional practice) and are then marketed accordingly.

Also include how the products reach the audience and comment on the impact of digital technology on this. So sort of effective comparison between the the different practices of Hollywood and independent film makers will be invaluable here.

It is also worth considering how audience fragmentation may be affecting the ease with which major media producers reach their audiences and how they have adapted to that. Are independent producers and distributors more innovative in their use of digital technology to reach audiences.

You may also find it helpful to read the examiner's report in this question which can be found here - http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/59844-examiners-reports-january.pdf - on pages 11-12.

Plan well and do your best. Try to keep it to 5-600 wds as you'll likely not write more than this in the exam.

Good luck.

AS Media G322 Exam Section B Q2

Find past papers, examiner's reports and mark schemes here

Your assessment question will be selected from the ones located at the above link, as will the exam question in June.

Evaluation Question 2

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

http://galaxymediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/evaluation-question-3.html

http://a2coalition.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/what-have-you-leanred-from-your.html

Above are two different approaches you could take.

Exemplar Evaluations

The two evaluations below are created as ppts and are both based on a brief to create a pop video with the attendant ancillary tasks. There are many more examples on slideshare.

http://www.slideshare.net/mrboo1/evaluation-4082208

http://www.slideshare.net/zoecandice/advanced-portfolio-evaluation-4079878

Unit G324Advanced Portfolio in Media, Level 4 Mark criteria: Evaluation

You MUST answer the FOUR evaluation questions. Remember, these are worth asa many marks as your whole blog for planning and research, so give due attention to them. they are:

 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
 How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
 What have you learned from your audience feedback?
 How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

NB:  Note the wording of bullet points 1 and 4. They are very similar to the potential questions whihc arise in section 1a of the exam, so if you do the evaluation effectively it will also count as very relevant revision.

Level 4 16–20 marks

 There is excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation.
 There is excellent understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.
 There is excellent understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.
 There is excellent understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.
 There is excellent understanding of the significance of audience feedback.
 There is excellent skill in choice of form in which to present the evaluation.
 There is excellent ability to communicate.
It is important that you look at the other blogs to identify effective ways to convey the information required by the evaluation questions.

• You could do it as a straightforward written response, however, this will necessarily mean that you undermine your ability to get top marks for the first bullet point above. 

• you could do it as a sort of director's commentary. Eg. play parts of the movie and talk over it stopping at relevant parts to answer specific questions and demonstrating how the makring criteria are being met.

• You could create a separate text which covers the questions as Stephen did last year, very effectively.

However you go about it, keep an eye on the marking criteria to ensure you are fulfilling it to the best of your ability.

NOTE ESPECIALLY THAT ONE QUESTION REQUIRES YOU TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM AUDIENCE FEEDBACK. THIS MEANS THAT YOU MUST SHOW THE FILM TO A GROUP OF YOUR PEERS AND RECORD AND COMMENT ON THEIR VIEWS.

Unit G324Advanced Portfolio in Media, Level 4 Mark criteria: Media Texts

Main Task

Ancillary Task

Level One

0 – 14 marks

0 – 3 marks

Level Two

15 – 23 marks

4 – 6 marks

Level Three

24 – 31 marks

7 – 8 marks

Level Four

32 – 40 marks

9 – 10 marks

Above is the general mark scheme. Remember there are 2 ancillary pieces with a combined potential makr of 20.

The criteria for the Main and Ancillary tasks differs in sofar as one is a film and the other are based in print media so the criteria arew as follows:

FILM

Level 4

The candidate is expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:

shooting material appropriate to the task set; including controlled use of the camera, attention to framing, variety of shot sizes and close attention to mise en scene

editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer and making selective and appropriate use of shot transitions, captions and other effects

recording and editing sound with images appropriately.

Where a candidate has worked in a group, an excellent contribution to construction is evident.

PRINT

Level 4

The candidate is expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:

 awareness of conventions of layout and page design  awareness of the need for variety in fonts and text size  accurate use of language and register  the appropriate use of ICT for the task set  appropriate integration of illustration and text  framing a shot, using a variety of shot distances as appropriate  shooting material appropriate to the task set; selecting mise-en-scène including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting  manipulating photographs as appropriate, including cropping and resizing.
Where a candidate has worked in a group, an excellent contribution to construction is evident.

Unit G324Advanced Portfolio in Media, Level 4 Mark criteria: Planning and Research

Please note below the reference in bullet point 2 to "potential target audience".

Only if you are adhereing to all the criteria outlined below can you hope to score top marks.

Level 4 16–20 marks

 Planning and research evidence will be complete and detailed.
 There is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience.
 There is excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
 There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.
 Time management is excellent.
 There is excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.
 There are excellent communication skills.
 There is an excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.