Details of KS4:
Coursework 50%
Controlled Test 50%
Coursework
- 3 written assignments including creative components. For example, you may study advertising, focusing on why fast food adverts aimed at children have been removed from television. You will learn how to analyse an advert and discuss the effects it may have on an audience, and how it may shape social values and attitudes. You may then be asked to create a storyboard for an advert and film and edit your own. (Total 25%).
- 1 Practical Production, for example a film trailer or music video. You will have access to the camcorders and i-macs to film and edit your production. This is accompanied by pre-production tasks and a supporting account (Total 25%).
- Controlled Test: It is called a controlled test and not an exam because we receive copies of the exam paper approximately 2 weeks before you sit the test. During this time you may study for and prepare your responses to the tasks.* The test lasts for 3 hours (usually undertaken in 2 sessions of 1.5 hours) and includes 4 tasks. These are a combination of written and practical tasks.
* You may not take any of this preparation material into the Controlled Test.
The type of topics which are set for the Controlled Test change every year. Over the past four years they have been:
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Advertising
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Children's comics
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The music press
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Situation comedies
What skills are being tested?
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Knowledge and understanding: e.g. can you use media terminology appropriately?
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Analysis and interpretation: e.g. can you analyse and evaluate the opening sequence of a film?
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Production skills: e.g. Can you create a poster advertising a new film?
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Quality of written communication: e.g. can you write clearly, with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar?
In order to demonstrate the above skills, you must apply all four of the following key concepts:
MEDIA LANGUAGE AUDIENCE INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTATIONS
Results
2007 89.4% of students achieved a grade C or above
Details of KS5:
A level Media Studies
The course offers you the chance to analyse texts from a huge range of media products including film, soap operas, documentaries, magazines and advertising campaigns.
You will lean how and why media producers created these texts by looking at issues such as editing, lighting, target audiences, narrative structures, and apply media theories to these different areas.
Examination Units:
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Med1: Reading the media: 1 hr 15: Analysis of an unseen media text, using the Key Concepts.
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Med2: Textual topics in contemporary media: 1 hr 30: 2 questions on topic areas such as film and broadcast fiction, documentaries, British Newspapers, Advertising and marketing.
Coursework Units (Med3)
Creation of a product based on one of the areas from Med2. For example, students will have access to the camcorders and i-macs to film and edit their own advert, short film, documentary etc.
Examination units 30% (of A Level) A2 Level
Coursework unit 20% (of A Level)
Examination Units
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Med4: Texts and Contexts in the Media: 1 hr 30 - 2 questions on topic areas such as genre, representation, audiences.
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Med6: comparative critical analysis: 2 hrs - a synoptic unit which requires textual analysis and comparison of two texts.
Coursework Units
This piece of coursework allows you to research and explore an area of the media you have a specific interest in, producing a 3000 word independent study.
Forthcoming Events:
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Film Club - we watch and discuss a range of mainstream and independent films
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Student Magazine - get involved in writing articles for the student-led magazine
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The Oscars - an evening's celebration of Y11 and Y12 practical work
Web Links:
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Site |
Info |
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www.imdb.com |
Movie database, the best site to find out who made a film, how much it made etc. Also includes a review database. |
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www.cinemedia.org |
The Internet's largest film and media directory. Also good links to world wide media industry. |
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www.bfi.org.uk |
British Film Institute site, good for film information. |
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www.bfi.uk/sightandsound |
Film reviews, features and commentaries on film and television. |
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www.mediaed.org.uk |
The UK's Media Education Website. Good links. |
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www.mediaknowall.com |
Excellent explanation of Key Concepts and topic areas (please note that it is specifically for the WJEC exam board, we use AQA, however there are many similarities and it is an excellent site). |
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www.mediauk.com |
Contains full listing of all UK media websites |
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www.cultsock.indirst.co.uk |
Infobase of resources for Media Studies students at school or early University. |