Exam Revision for A Level Mock

Ho Ho Ho!

Here is the information regarding the A Level Media mock exam.

This will take place at your base site between 7th and the 13th January - please check your timetables carefully!

The exam will be as follows and will be all about Music Videos and your production work so far.

The examination is two hours. Candidates are required to answer two compulsory questions, on their own production work, and one question from a choice of six topic areas. The unit is marked out of a total of 100, with the two questions on production work marked out of 25 each, and the media theory question marked out of 50.

There are two sections to this paper:

Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production (50 marks) 

Section B: Contemporary Media Issues (50 marks) 

Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production
Candidates answer two compulsory questions. The first requires them to describe and evaluate their skills development over the course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The second asks them to identify one production and evaluate it in relation to one theoretical concept.

Question 1(a) requires candidates to describe and evaluate their skills development over the course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The focus of this evaluation must be on skills development, and the question will require them to adapt this to one or two specific production practices. The list of practices to which questions will relate is as follows:

• Digital Technology
  
• Creativity
  
• Research and planning
  
• Post-production
  
• Using conventions from real media texts 

Where candidates have produced relevant work outside the context of their A Level media course, they are free to additionally refer to this experience.

Question 1(b) requires candidates to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media concept. The list of concepts to which questions will relate is as follows:

• Genre
  
• Narrative
  
• Representation
  
• Audience
  
• Media language

Section B: Contemporary Media Issues

One question to be answered from a choice of  two questions.

The topic areas require understanding of contemporary media texts, industries, audiences and debates. For the purposes of examination a contemporary media text is defined as being a media text that was published or released within five years of the examination date. 

Through specific case studies, texts, debates and research of the candidates’ choice, prepare to demonstrate understanding of the contemporary issue. There should be emphasis on the historical, the contemporary and the future in relation to the chosen topic, with most attention on the present.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Revising!

Mr Coppard

Final Planning Push!

Hi All

Here is the tracker updated from todays lesson. Please use it to to finish all the work missing and sort your tasks into an order that shows your progression.

Updated 18/12/13

Remember YOU SHOULD BE FILMING!

Mr Coppard

Production Logs

Hi All

Here are the links from todays lesson and a template to help structure your production diary. You need to keep a clear record of everything you do in your production as this will help you show the journey of your products and how you have learnt across the course

Simple Diary:

Production Log from Zoyia

Video Diary:

Backstage Video:

Keep working hard and remember to anticipate deadlines - its much easier to hand in work early!

Mr Coppard

Youtube's Top Trending Videos

Hi All

Youtube recently compiled its annual review of the year - they not only looked at number or views but also reviews and comments left on it.

The articles can be found here, which also discusses localised trends;

http://www.buzzfeed.com/krisandres/the-2013-most-trending-domestic-music-videos-on-yo-6qn0

Enjoy - and comment!

Mr Coppard

Pop Sex and Videotape

Hi All

ITV had an interesting documentary on the cultural impact of sexual music videos. In POP, SEX and VIDEOTAPE, artists and commentators all discussed the impact of music videos on young people

I will put the link here when its due but heres a clip:

TV Catchup Show Link

http://www.tvcatchup.com/programme/243288

Remember to post this - it is important to show your finger is on the pulse!

Mr Coppard

Example Blogs

Hi All

Here are the blog links from todays lesson. Use them to help you update your blogs to a Level 4!

Example Blog 1

Example Blog 2

Example Blog 3

D'Mee's Blog - A

Gaaron's Blog - A

Sonia's Blog - A

There are only 15 Days to go - keep working hard!

Keep Posting!

Hi all,

Sorry i didn't see you today. I hope you are making progress on your blogs! Remember, keep working hard on your preproduction, you should be filming from next week onwards! 

Also, keep your eyes open - there are opportunities for short posts everywhere (such as Heat magazine) 

Keep up the good work!

Mr Coppard

Just a bit of fun!

Hi Folks

I was having a wander around the internet tonight and discover what might be my new favourite website to get lost in: http://www.whosampled.com. If you fancy a break from your coursework (only a small one mind!) then have a look around - you never know what you might discover!

Keep up the hard work - your Planning is looking great so far!

Mr Coppard

Pre-Production

Hi All

Here are the notes from todays lesson - remember that you must use your own time effectively to maximise your marks

Level 4 =

‘Time management is excellent.’

‘There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.’

Treatments and Catch Ups

Hi All

You should be using this time to complete your treatment and get your blogs up to date - there is lots of work but the more your complete the better chance you have of achieving a top grade!

Next week we begin your planning in detail so bring your creative heads to each lesson!

Music video institutions for exhibtion

Powerpoint from today's lesson.

Ensure your post investigating the institutions on slide 5 is uploaded to your blog by Tuesday the 26th.


Mrs Jones

Children in Need - Harry Hill remakes a video

Hi All

Children in Need has come and gone for another year, but it featured some excellent music video related stuff - have a look below and comment on your blogs!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01ln6m1

Intertextuality & Parody

Hi All

Here is the video discussed in todays starter - remember to comment on it on your own blog!

Parody and Intertextuality is not uncommon in Music Videos - have a look at some more below:

Audience Research

Hi All

Here are the notes from todays lesson - we are focusing on Steps 8-10 on your checklists!

Target audience research from hasnmedia

Think carefully about your research structure and question designs - WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO FIND OUT?

Some very detailed information about audience research can be found here

This needs to be completed and on your blogs by next Wednesday 20th November!

Tips and Tricks from an Expert

Watch how you can make a really good looking video for a minimum budget

 its all about being creative!

You Should Be Planning...

Here are your current tasks - Don't forget to get them finished asap!

Also - remember to look at the inspirational posts and comment on your blog!

Inspiration: Mise En Scene

Some Mise En Scene inspiration for you to consider for your videos - don't forget to comment on your blogs!

Lighting:

Costume:

Make Up:

Props:

Location:

Enjoy and remember to post if any of them inspire you!

It's all about the performance...

You've had a practice at lip syncing but did you put any thought into your performance or your interaction with the camera?

Check out Stephen Merchant and Joseph Gordon Levitt competing in a lip syncing competition....


Mrs Jones

Inspiration: Performance & Dance

Some Performance Inspiration for you all - remember to consider these in your planning (you could even blog about any you like!)

No look at performance would be complete without some iconic dance routines!

Inspiration: Intertextuality

Some Intertextual Inspiration for you all - remember to consider these in your planning (you could even blog about any you like!)

Enjoy!

Inspiration: Animation

Some Animated Inspiration for you all - remember to consider these in your planning (you could even blog about any you like!)

Enjoy!

Inspiration: Black & White/Colour

Some Colourful Inspiration for you all - remember to consider these in your planning (you could even blog about any you like!)

Enjoy!

Inspiration: Narratives

Some Narrative Inspiration for you all - remember to consider these in your planning (you could even blog about any you like!)

Enjoy!

Technical Workshop

Hi All

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the hard work you put into the workshop today!

Keep working hard on your blogs!

Mr Coppard

Lip Syncing

Hi All

Today was your last formal lesson of this term and I hope your enjoyed it. Below are the notes for today - make sure you post up about what Lip Syncing is, what you did and how you got on!

 


We will finish your work on Wednesday - I expect you from 9am in S112!

Remember its DEADLINE time soon - keep posting!

Todays Lesson and Double Blog Posts

Hi Everyone,

Unfortunately, those of you who were absent today missed quite a lot :(

You will need to put up TWO posts about the lesson today!

Part 1:

Explain Mr Ayoola coming in and what his advice was - what did you learn from his advice? What inspired you?

Here is his video:




Part 2:

Explain how you edited your video to fit the music track I gave you. How confident do you feel about editing to Music? How happy are you with your sequence? Remember to include your finished video in this post and use the key terms: Rhythm, Cut, Pace, Irregular Cutting, Slug.

And below are your lovely faces during the talks - copy these images for your blogs!

Mr Coppard

Music Videos in the News

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24528022

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24442268

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24432329

Remember - these are the kind of things that will help you get marks if you post to your own blog and add some comments of your own!

FInding a Song & Finalising Work

Hi Everyone

Here is a link to the blog tools I showed you in todays lessons, along with the worksheet for choosing your song and the upcoming Production checklist.

Blog Tools

Choosing a Music Track

You can find music online in lots of places but remember it MUST be COPYRIGHT FREE!

Have a look at this article for some places to go!

Make sure you are posting lots of small posts to your blog to keep me informed of your independent study - they only need to be short!

Keep up the hard work - the first deadline is just over the horizon...

Mr Coppard

Final Research Task - In Depth Video Analysis

Hi All

Here is you final research task for your coursework - it is the big one!

Please ensure your scripts are written and you are ready to begin filming on 

FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER

See the example below to help you structure your script

Interesting Articles

Hi All

On my way home this evening I stumbled across these two articles in the metro. These are the kind of things that you can add to your own blogs quickly (especially using you phone) and can bag you extra marks with a quick commentary post. Keep your eyes peeled and your phone handy!

Mr Coppard

Student Video Evaluations

Hi All

Here is the task from todays lesson and the links to my videos - Also attached are the marking criteria for your reference





Keep working hard on your blogs!

Mr Coppard

Narrative theory recap

An overview of the narrative theory lesson. Mrs Jones

The Auteur theory

A copy of the Auteur theory lesson for your reference. Mrs Jones A

Autuer in music video from hasnmedia

Richard Dyer STAR Theory

Hi All

Please find attached the notes from todays lesson and also your homework from me. The Blogs are all looking good and we are almost complete in all our research - the hard part is next!

Keep watching lots of videos and posting them to your blogs - you can never have enough research!

Mr Coppard

A2 g324 l7 sept blog from hasnmedia

Also your FOLDER CHECKLIST is below

a2 Student Tracker Folder Copy

Half Way There

Hi All

Just a quick reminder that we are now half way through term 1 and therefore your 1st deadline is coming up in 4 short weeks!

You have worked really hard so far and need to keep it up until the end of this term

Keep working on those blogs!

Mr Coppard

Goodwin's Theories!

Hi all

Here are the notes on Andrew Goodwin from last lesson - use them carefully to help you create your own analysis!

Music Video Timelines

Here is the timeline notes for your interactive timelines, and the tutorial video from our Youtube channel.

Remember to include plenty of examples and detail in each post!

No Lesson Notes BUT some useful inofrmation

Hi All, 

Due to the unfinished nature of your current timeline research (and your homework needing to be finished!) I wont be putting up the class notes from last lesson.

I will take an oppurtunity to remind you of the brief and share with you some example blogs to help you all get a Level 4!

The Advanced Portfolio 's chosen brief is: Music Video.

This will be managed in a similar way as the Foundation Portfolio through a blog which the moderator will then have access to.


Your blog for: individual (and group-based) research and ideas, reflections and evaluation, planning and production work.

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES for the coursework:


1. Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing media products and processes and evaluating your own practical work, to show how meanings and responses are created (20 marks)
2. Demonstrate the ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills (60 marks)
3. Demonstrate the ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research (20 marks)

PROJECT BRIEFThe unit requires you to engage with contemporary media technologies, giving you the opportunity to develop in these technologies. It also enables you to develop the skills of presentation that are required for further study at higher levels and in the workplace.

Candidates will produce:
• a media portfolio, comprising a main and two ancillary texts
• a presentation of their research, planning and evaluation in electronic format


Brief: A promotion package of the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with 2 of the following 3 options:

• a website homepage for the band
• a cover for its release on cd

Note: Original imagery, (including publicity stills for the ancillary products) must be included on all products. You are expected to shoot stills specifically for use on your print materials rather than merely relying on extracts from your MV footage.

MARKING CRITERIAAssessment: to achieve Level 4 in Research and Planning, you must demonstrate:

• excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience
• excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes and props
• excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding
• excellent time management
• excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and plannning
• excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation
• excellent communication skills

Assessment: To achieve Level 4 in Production you are expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:

• holding a shot steady, where appropriate
• framing a shot, including and excluding elements where appropriate
• using a variety of shot distances, where appropriate
• shooting material appropriate to the task set
• selecting mise-en-scene including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting
• editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer
• using varied shot transitions, captions and other effects selectively and appropriately for the task
• using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task

Assessment: to achieve Level 4 in Evaluation, you are expected to demontrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:
- understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.
- understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.
- understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.
- understanding of the significance of audience feedback.
- choice of form in which to present the evaluation.
- ability to communicate.
- use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation.

In the evaluation the following questions must be answered:

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

Where a candidate has worked in a group, an excellent contribution to construction is evident. Differences in the contributions made by individual candidates must be clearly indicated on the teacher marksheets. When marking the production, teachers must focus on the quality of the brand identity across the promotion package as a whole, as well as on the indidvidual productions.

In other words, a lot to think about and lessons to be learnt from last year and along the way.

Enjoy it!

FOR INSPIRATION - STUDENTS' BLOGS AS EARLY EXEMPLARS:

This is not perfect but demonstrates well how to embed technologies and really document your journey over the whole production process.
See Emma's music video blog.

This blog got a top level 4 for research/planning and for evaluation. Do have a look.
Alex's music video blog.

KEY FEATURES OF MUSIC VIDEOS - GETTING TO KNOW CONVENTIONS...


The points below should help you to analyse your chosen videos in a more focused way. Use them to get started. Start building up marks by posting regular updates to your blog from your daily lives.

• Music videos work around 3 codes - music, lyrics and iconography. The relationship between these codes is key to understanding how music video work. Take some time looking at whether the video illustrates the lyrics or not, and in which ways, as well as whether the video helps you to understand the lyrics better or not, and in which way. Does the song belong to a particular music genre and does it come across in the video?


• Music videos are designed to provide pleasure in order to keep the viewer (particularly the intended audience) watching and to encourage repeat viewings. How is it achieved? How are the performers shown? What do YOU LIKE about the video? Can you screengrab favourite shots and comment?


• Explain whether the video is primarily performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based, or is it a hybrid? Explore how it is done and presented. Look at Lauryn Hill's Everything is Everything for example.


• Does the video refer to / draw upon other texts (book, film, other video, advert...)? Is it a parody or tongue-in-cheek video?

Regards

Mr Coppard

Producers strategies and Infographic homework

Homework details are on the last slide of the powerpoint. Make sure you have found some interesting statistics and facts about the music video industry ready to create your infographic in Mrs Jones lesson on Tuesday the 17th of September. Mrs Jones

Producers strategies from hasnmedia

Codes and Conventions

Hi All

Here are the notes from todays lesson. Read them carefully and have a watch of the videos in there to help reinforce your learning. Don't forget your SUMMER HOMEWORK and MS JONES HOMEWORK!

Mr Coppard

 

A2 g324 l3 sept blog from hasnmedia

Purpose of Music Videos

Hi All

Please finad attached the notes from the lesson today. Remember your notes need to be typed up and presented on your Blog in your choice of form such as PPT, Prezi or as a post.

• Complete your Write up of Purpose of Music Videos using PEA for each catergory:

–Promotion

–Synergy

–Extension of Income

–Extension of Outlets

–Producers Strategies

• Upload this write up to your blog

Due: WEDNESDAY 11th SEPTEMBER

A2 Handbook

Hi All

Please find a link below to your new Media Studies Handbook. You will be given a hard copy in September when you return.

Have a great summer and remember your Homework!


Read HASN A Level Handbook 2013_2014
Self Publishing with YUDU

Year 12 Summer Homework: The Soundtrack to your Summer

Hi All

You have successfully made it through the first term of your A2 studies and I hope you are excited about studying the A2 course in September. To keep you creative over your 6 weeks off we would like you to put togther an alternative music video for these summertime classics. 

This will help you prepare for next year’s coursework, and gives you an opportunity to show off your creative flair and skill. Hopefully you will feel inspired by what you have seen this term so far!

Fingers crossed the sun comes out for your filming…

Due: FRIDAY 6th SEPTMEBER 2013

Sad News

Hi All

As the news broke today that John David Wilson, the man responsible for the video below sadly passed away today, I thought it would be pertinent to share it with you.

Mr Coppard

Music video structure homework

Hi all,

A little reminder about your homework:

TASK 1: Create a blog post presenting your favourite music video. Explain why it is your favourite and embe d the video.

TASK 2: Present the four music video structures. Include:
- a definition (include embedded videos and screen grabs to support)
- conventions for each structure. (with screen grabbed examples from videos to support)
- can you draw any connection between music genres and music video structure? Does the rock genre use a particular structure for example?

DUE - TUESDAY 2nd JULY

Ms Bryant

Mr Coppard & Ms Bryant's Favourite Videos

Hi All

If you haven't explored the Youtube channel yet (http://www.youtube.com/user/hasnmedia), then what are you waiting for?!

Ms Bryant and I will be uploading useful videos to the channel every so often, as well as these two playlists which we will be adding too as we both think of more videos we like:

Ms Bryant's Favourite Music Videos: http://bit.ly/13Vkt9j

Mr Coppard's Favourite Music Videos: http://bit.ly/14Gyquk


Please have a watch and consider setting up your own playlist of videos that you like and those that inspire you!

Welcome Back!

Hello Year 13!

Welcome back to studying your new and exciting A2 course. This year will prove to be exciting and challenging in equal parts and I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am.

Some useful links:

HASN Media Channel: https://twitter.com/hasnmedia
HASN Twitter: https://twitter.com/hasnmedia
HASN Media Email: hasnmedia@gmail.com
HASN Media Equipment Email:

Below are the key notes from your first lesson including key dates and information about the course for this year.

Don't forget you already have homework to present in Ms Bryant's lesson on Tuesday:

Create a short presentation - (no more than 5 minutes) where you show your favourite music video to the group and explain why you like it. Make sure you upload this to your blog as RESEARCH

EXT: Use correct terminology and explain its appeal to a target audience

Due: Tuesday 18th June 2013

A2 G324 Lesson 1 from hasnmedia