GCSE Support Handbook 11

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Media Studies Departmenthttp://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/

MEDIA STUDIES GCSE Single AwardExaminer 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 markCoursework portfolio 60% of the total mark

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

There will be many opportunities to create as well as analyse and discuss themedia during the course. There will be opportunities to get involved with extracurricula media projects including film making and animation and there will be

two work placements at one of the foremost television and commercial postproduction organisations available: The Farm Group the managing director ofwhich is the business champion for Brentfords Young Chamber.

These placement have been taken for this year. If you are interested inapplying for one of these placements for next May 2012, you MUST apply inwriting to Mr Holloway explaining why you think you have the right interestsand attitude to work at The Farm Group in Soho and explain what you mighthope to learn from the experience.

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 dothis in class and it will provide you with a useful tool for revision and a way ofgetting involved and staying in touch. The Media department uses blogs allthe time to post lessons and provide information, links and support learningaway from the classroom. It will be a really important part of your course tomake use of these facilities and to add to them yourself.
http://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english_med/new/media_overview.php?id=04&prev=04http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english_med/new/media_overview.php?id=04&prev=04http://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english_med/new/media_overview.php?id=04&prev=04http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english_med/new/media_overview.php?id=04&prev=04


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Subject Content

Unit 1: Investigating the Media

Written paper: One hour 30mins

Based on pre-released topic which is made available 1month before exam.In 2011 the seen paper will be onAction 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 whichescalate through the course.


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Assessment

Students coursework portfolios and controlled test will be assessed on thefollowing:

The students ability to:

AO1 Recall, select and communicate their knowledge andunderstanding of media products and the contexts in which

theyare produced and consumed 2030% weighting of GCSE.

AO2 Analyse and respond to media texts/topics using media keyconcepts and appropriate terminology 2030% weighting of

GCSE.

AO3 Demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills 2030% weighting of GCSE.

AO4 Construct and evaluate their own products using creative andtechnical skills 2030% weighting of GCSE.

To complete the three assignment successfully you should apply yourselfconsistently 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 basicDTP and for Assignment 3 video editing (this will be taught on iMacs atschool)

The desire to succeed and lots of curiosity.

A commitment to your assignments which may entail addition out of schoolhours study including attendance of the Film Academy Workshops duringOctober and February half terms. These workshops provide one/two days ofintensive production and post production time to shoot and edit productions.They are also free and fun, you will find it extremely hard to completeAssignment 3 without attending these.

Support is there in a number of forms including individual mentoring as andwhen required.


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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.


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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 (November-December)

Topic Analytical Task Research and Planningtask

MagazineAnalysis

Analyse two magazinecovers. How do theyappeal to their targetaudiences?What methods do theyuse to do this?

10marks

Present your own ideasfor a magazine frontcover aimed at aspecificaudience.

Ideas should bepresented usingdrawings, writing orphotographs.

5marks

2) CROSS MEDIA ASSIGNMENT (Jan-April)

Topic Analytical Task Research and Planningtask

Advertising Compare the impact andeffectiveness oftwoadverts for a specificproduct.

For example: TV advertand Poster compaign,website, social media,online event

Print or web-based/newmedia Task.

mock-up a poster, to

advertise a specificproduct to a chosenaudience.

Audio-visual mediaTask.

Devise a storyboard fora new TV advert for thesame product to a

specific audience.


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20marks10marks


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PRACTICAL PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION(July- December)

Topic Production Task Collaboration

Moving Image Create a 120 secondtrailer or openingsequence, (or two 60second teaser trailers)for a feature filmor television programmeaimed a specific targetaudience.

Candidates should planand research theirproductionthoroughly. Evidence ofresearch into existingproducts of a similarnature and potentialaudience.Annotated analyses ofexisting texts, charts,surveys orquestionnaires.

Candidates will need tosubmit evidence ofplanning, perhaps in theform of briefs, sketches,scripts, storyboards,mock-ups.

Maximum of 12 pages

15marks

No more than four pergroup. Each candidateto edit shared imagesindividually.

Moving imageconfidence in handlingtechnologydemonstrated by:careful framing of shots,appropriate editing andevidence ofconsideration beinggiven to lighting, mise-en-scene and sound.

Each candidate mustproduce a 700 800word evaluation whichshould reflect upon:how the aims of the

production have beenmet how the productapplies appropriatecodes and conventionsand uses appropriatemedia language how theproduct representspeople, places or eventswhere and when theproduct would beexhibited what

regulations and controlsmight be applied to theproduct and how thesehave been taken intoconsideration thestrengths andweaknesses of theproduct in terms ofmeeting the needs of itsaudience.

30 marks


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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 planningin order to respond to two or more unseen tasks. In preparation forthe external assessment candidates will be expected to havestudied a wide range of examples. Candidates will need to consideraspects of style, presentation, values, audience and representationand show their understanding of the relevant codes andconventions. Candidates need to show awareness of newtechnologies involved in the production and consumption of themedia.

Candidates need also to be aware of any current debates andaudience issues, as well as issues of bias and representation.Production skills will be expected with candidates showing effectivepractical skills such as storyboarding, scripting, selection and editingand other design skills appropriate to the topic.

Candidates will be expected to spend approximately 45 minutes onTasks 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 bythe deadline dates above.

Support your daughter by viewing and discussing movies withher. Help her to select scenes to analyse and to research theproduction companies on the internet.

Remind your daughter to use the BLOG which has been set upthis year to provide support and to develop students skills.

More tips will be available on the BLOGhttp://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/
http://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/http://mediastudiesgcsebrentford.blogspot.com/

Documents

GCSE Support Handbook 11