Media Studies Department

http://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/

MEDIA STUDIES – GCSE Single Award

Examiner AQA Specification 4810

The full course specification is available by following the below link.

http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english_med/new/media_overview.php?
id=04&prev=04

Breakdown of mark allocation:

Controlled text (exam) 40% of the total mark
Coursework portfolio 60% of the total mark

This course will be studied over two years in three lessons a week and will
lead to the completion of a number of controlled assessments (a replacement
to coursework) which are closely monitored and will need to be finished by
specific deadlines.

There will be many opportunities to create as well as analyse and discuss the
media during the course. There will be opportunities to get involved with extra
curricula media projects including film making and animation and there will be
two work placements at one of the foremost television and commercial post
production organisations available: The Farm Group the managing director of
which is the business champion for Brentford’s Young Chamber.

If you are interested in applying for one of these placements for next May, you
MUST apply in writing to Mr Holloway explaining why you think you have the
right interests and attitude to work at The Farm Group in Soho and explain
what you might hope to learn from the experience. The deadline for letters will
be announced in class.

During this year you will be expected to set up and run your own blog which
will be a place where you can post your work online. You will learn how to do
this in class and it will provide you with a useful tool for revision and a way of
getting involved and staying in touch. The Media department uses blogs all
the time to post lessons and provide information, links and support learning
away from the classroom. It will be a really important part of your course to
make use of these facilities and to add to them yourself.
Subject Content

Unit 1: Investigating the Media

Written paper: One hour 30mins

Based on pre-released topic which is made available 1
month before exam.
In 2011 the seen paper will be on
Action and Adventure Films

Task 1: Knowledge and Understanding.

Task 2: Research, Planning and Presentation; Production and
Evaluation.

60 marks 40% of overall grade

Unit 2: Understanding the Media

Controlled Assessment taken from banks of set assignments:

Three Assignments:

1 Introductory assignment. (15 marks)

2 Cross-media assignment. (30 marks)
3 Practical Production and Evaluation. (45 marks)

90 marks 60% of overall grade

N.B.
Note the different weightings for the three assignments which
escalate through the course.
Assessment

Students’ coursework portfolios and controlled test will be assessed on the

following:

The student’s ability to:

AO1 Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and

understanding of media products and the contexts in which
they
are produced and consumed 20–30% weighting of GCSE.

AO2 Analyse and respond to media texts/topics using media key

concepts and appropriate terminology 20–30% weighting of
GCSE.

AO3 Demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills 20–

30% weighting of GCSE.

AO4 Construct and evaluate their own products using creative and
technical skills 20–30% weighting of GCSE.

To complete the three assignment successfully you should apply yourself

consistently during lessons and aim to complete all homestudy on time and
to the best of your ability.

Tools which you WILL need to complete your study.

• Access to a fast internet connect for research – available at school

(even better if you have it at home too)
• Good computer based skills including word processing, some basic
DTP and for Assignment 3 video editing (this will be taught on iMacs at
school)
• The desire to succeed and lots of curiosity.

A commitment to your assignments which may entail addition out of school

hours study including attendance of the Film Academy Workshops during
October and February half terms. These workshops provide one/two days of
intensive production and post production time to shoot and edit productions.
They are also free and fun, you will find it extremely hard to complete
Assignment 3 without attending these.

Support is there in a number of forms including individual mentoring as and

when required.
N.B. You may be able to use your Assignment 1 or 2 written pieces as cross-
over pieces for GCSE English with the agreement of your English teacher.
MEDIA STUDIES GCSE Single Award
COURSEWORK PORTFOLIO
This is to be made up of three assignments which are each broken down into
two parts. These assignments test both analytical and practical skills.
COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENTS (examples):
1) INTRODUCTORY ASSIGNMENT (deadline TBA)
Topic Analytical Task
Music Analyse a music video.
Promotion How does it appeal to its
target audience?
What methods does it
use to do this?
10marks
2) CROSS MEDIA ASSIGNMENT (deadline TBA)
Topic Analytical Task
Film Promotion Compare the impact and
effectiveness of two
promotional methods
used by one film.
For example: poster;
cinema, television or
viral trailer; web page;
magazine article;
Television interview
Research and Planning
task
Present your own ideas
for a music video for a
song aimed at a specific
audience.
Ideas should be
presented in storyboard
form using drawings,
writing or photographs
to represent what is on
screen
5marks
Research and Planning
task
Print or web-based/new
media Task.
‘mock-up’ a design for a
poster, magazine
article,
DVD case, internet
home page, or other
promotional material for
a film.
Audio-visual media
Task.
Devise a storyboard for
a trailer or a script for a
television or radio
 interview promoting the
same film
20marks

10marks
PRACTICAL PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION
(deadline TBA)

Topic Production Task Collaboration

Moving Image Create a 120 second No more than four per

trailer or opening group. Each candidate
sequence, (or two 60 to edit shared images
second teaser trailers) individually.
for a feature film
or television programme Moving image
aimed a specific target confidence in handling
audience. technology
demonstrated by:
Candidates should plan careful framing of shots,
and research their appropriate editing and
production evidence of
thoroughly. Evidence of consideration being
research into existing given to lighting, mise-
products of a similar en-scene and sound.
nature and potential
audience. Each candidate must
Annotated analyses of produce a 700– 800
existing texts, charts, word evaluation which
surveys or should reflect upon:
questionnaires. how the aims of the
Candidates will need to production have been
submit evidence of met how the product
planning, perhaps in the applies appropriate
form of briefs, sketches, codes and conventions
scripts, storyboards, and uses appropriate
mock-ups. media language how the
product represents
Maximum of 12 pages people, places or events
where and when the
product would be
exhibited what
regulations and controls
might be applied to the
product and how these
have been taken into
consideration the
strengths and
weaknesses of the
product in terms of
meeting the needs of its
audience.
15marks
30 marks
UNIT 1 CONTROLLED TEST

Topic for 2011: Action and Adventure Films

Unit 1 is externally assessed and requires candidates to investigate

a pre-released media topic and to undertake research and planning
in order to respond to two or more unseen tasks. In preparation for
the external assessment candidates will be expected to have
studied a wide range of examples. Candidates will need to consider
aspects of style, presentation, values, audience and representation
and show their understanding of the relevant codes and
conventions. Candidates need to show awareness of new
technologies involved in the production and consumption of the
media.

Candidates need also to be aware of any current debates and

audience issues, as well as issues of bias and representation.
Production skills will be expected with candidates showing effective
practical skills such as storyboarding, scripting, selection and editing
and other design skills appropriate to the topic.

Candidates will be expected to spend approximately 45 minutes on

Tasks 1 (a) and 1 (b) and 45 minutes on Tasks 2 (a) and 2 (b).

ADVICE FOR PARENTS/CARERS AND STUDENTS

• Check that your daughter has completed her coursework by

the deadline dates above.
• Support your daughter by viewing and discussing movies with
her. Help her to select scenes to analyse and to research the
production companies on the internet.
• Remind your daughter to use the BLOG which has been set up
this year to provide support and to develop student’s skills.

More tips will be available on the BLOG

http://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/