** DEADLINE!!!!

You are in the DEADLINE Zone...

Well this is it! We have come to the end of your production time. If you have not completed and submitted your coursework you are now officially late - behind - and in serious danger of losing marks. 

FINAL Grades will be finalised this week and moderated next week. By the end of this week. 

Once your folder is marked, the marks will not be changeable, modified or adapted regardless of any pleading, begging etc. - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED 

YEAR 13 your submitted folder should contain. (Please also submit work into the folders on the shared drive)

* 2000 word Critical Investigation

* Research

* Mock ups

* LINKED production - (at least 3 design pieces)

- 12 of your best research pages will be selected to send as evidence of all your work -  

YEAR 12 your submitted folder should contain (Please also submit work into the folders on the shared drive)

* Research on both areas of your brief

* Intention statement

* Mock - ups 

* Productions for Platform 1

* Productions for Platform 2 

* Evaluation 

- Make sure you include print screens of all your E-Media work 

- 12 of your best pages will be selected to send as evidence of all your work- 

Wednesday 7th March

Hi all

I won't be in your lesson today, but please go to room 022 as usual (a teacher will be there just to supervise what I have said is an amazingly capable and independently hardworking group of students!) please continue working on your productions. 

DON'T WASTE the lesson!

Year 12 - On your productions
Year 13 - On your evaluation.

Any issues - Ms Davis is in room 020.

Please write a comment below this to show you have received this message.

On Your Marks Get Set GO!!!!

The Production Window has opened!. you now have 4 weeks (including half term!) to complete ALL your design and production work.

Remember your work has to be above and beyond what you did for your AS. It needs to be fit for purpose - which means it could be used in the professional world.

You need to INVEST some time in production training. (I am verrrrrrrry fussy!) so I have subscribed to this wonderful site (www.lynda.com) and I expect you to ensure that you push your production knowledge to a standard where you LEARN new and more polished ways of doing things.


  

TASK 4 = MAKING OF MEDIA PRODUCT –                               DEADLINE = 22nd February  2012 Production Time! Keep a progress log (to be submitted on blog) of every step you take. Remember that the quality and professionalism of this production MUST be 10X that of your AS work. There can be no areas of sloppiness or average effort. Look in detail at the Mark Scheme and consider what level you are working at.

Please bring your folders - to our next lesson - ready to present everything you have done to date! 

 

YEAR 13: - You Should have started Production Now!!

Hi all,

We are here in your MEST 4 process:

TASK 3 =  Pre-Production/MOCK UP.       DEADLINE = 18th January 2012 Create Mock ups of your production. With annotations explaining your choices and showing how they link to the mark scheme. Complete varied satisfaction surveys/reviews with actual target audience and record results. Re-do Mock ups – in light of recommended changes.   DEADLINE = 25th January 2012

Therefore you should have finalised ALL your Mock ups (at least two different versions for the entire project) and completed quick review surveys to check which one audiences like better. 

By Wednesday your folders should be organised and up to date - ready for checking and you should have your image planning sheets to hand - so you can start finalising image choices (think about your photo shoots and how you are going to create amazing, professional shots!)  

Remember ANY issues ... tweet / email me! (ndidi.okezie@burlingtondanes.org)

YEAR 12 - It's PRODUCTION Time! ... Say goodbye to sleeeeep!!!!

THIS YEAR.... YOU get to select a brief... which means you have complete ownership over what you do and the pain and joy that will no doubt arise as you work through... THE MOST CHALLENGING WORK you have ever embarked on... No exaggeration - this is going to be a steep learning curve.. I fully expect tears and emotional breakdowns! Alongside moments of total glee and pride as you look at what you have produced!

So tell me below ... WHICH BRIEF do you like and WHY??

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BRIEF OPTION ONE

An independent British Film and Television production company, Prime Times Productions, has produced a feature film with a budget of £5 million pounds, partly supplied by lottery funding.

Prime Times has aspirations for its film to appeal to more than the mainstream 16-25 youth market and the distributors are looking to release the film in about twenty cinemas around the UK in the hope that it will ‘build’.Prime Times is also working on a new TV drama series aimed at youth audience and has produced the TV pilot for series.The TV pilot has been sold to the BBC’s digital channel, BBC3, which is targeting a youth audience and is hoping to challenge C4’s dominance in this market.

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BRIEF OPTION TWO

A regional newspaper is about to run a month long campaign promoting local sports. The newspaper has an online presence and is keen to use its website as a focus for information, as well as featuring a range of sports related features in its print product to broaden the reach of the promotion. Local businesses are helping to fund the promotion through advertising and sponsorship. You work for the newspaper and have been asked to produce materials to be included as part of the promotion.

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BRIEF OPTION THREE

You work for the marketing department of a small record company called Nutune Records, and are involved in the promotion of a new band/musical act for their forthcoming debut album and twelve date tour. 

As part of the promotion the act needs to create an image that will allow them to appeal to an audience with an interest in an established musical genre. The marketing materials should also contribute to constructing a recognisable ‘brand’ for the act. 

You are targeting a largely youth-based market but are keen to promote the act in a way that will appeal to more than just a niche audience. The act already has a Facebook and Myspace presence which has generated some interest and the record company now wishes to use more mainstream marketing techniques to reach a bigger and a more diverse audience.

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*** YOUR CHOICE ***  - Let me know what you're thinking..........

YEAR 13 - New Term - Let's Call it the PRODUCTION Term..

Happy New Year my dear students!!!

I hope you have all had a little rest and are ready and rearing to go on these very important production assignments.

WHERE YOU SHOULD BE NOW

As per your Production booklet - You should have
- Uploaded a re-drafted version of your CI onto your blog
- Submitted a hard copy to me - both the version with ALL your comments (and mine) and the new re-drafted version

- Updated your Intentions Statement 
- Completed a Production Planning Diary (see examples on Fronter)
- Completed the IMAGE Production Preparation plan (Collect from Fronter)
- Start working on your Mock Ups (read the booklet again to remind yourself how many versions to do and what they are meant to demonstrate...)

*Copies of All resources can be found in the Student resources section on Fronter (Room MEST4)

Remember deadlines are the latest you should do things, feel free to work ahead of them... room 022 should now be your home! I expect to see you there a lot!

* Tweet if you have any issues outside of lesson time!

Please write a comment on this blog post to confirm that you have read this and leave any questions you may have... 

YEAR 13 - Intentions Plan

INTENTIONS STATEMENT (500 Words)

REMEMBER - BE CREATIVE / DIFFERENT / INNOVATIVE. 

Don't just do the bog standard production, how can you stand out?!

Now that all your research is in and you have a real hold on this topic. 1**  Describe in detail what you intend to do for your production and HOW it is linked to your CI work. (Will you conform or subvert) 2** Use the mark scheme and discuss how your idea meets the criteria.  3** Produce a Production Diary. Write out a step by step plan of action for the completion of the Production. 4** Using the timeframe that you have been given. Set yourself interim deadlines for each step. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EXAMPLE Intentions Statement My linked production piece will be a 5 paged promotional feature in Fourfourtwo magazine on four footballers, three male and one female ranging from 16-21, who have been recently signed to Chelsea Football Club. The Promotional feature is a recent addition to the magazine and allows advertisers or football clubs the opportunity to promote products and players in a feature article. Powerade, Nike and Swindon Football club have all recently appeared in the promotional feature. For my article Chelsea FC will be using this feature article to promote their future English stars and start the rise in interest to the Women’s football. My linked production piece will conform to the codes and conventions of the magazine, whilst story and narrative will subvert the normal conventions of the magazine and sporting industry. As my critical investigation shows, sporting institutions focus on exploiting the top sporting heroes and are inclined to give female stars much less attention. I plan to subvert this by focusing my article on four new footballers and by giving the female footballer the biggest feature in the article. As they are young footballers they aren’t know yet and the focus on them is strictly on their talent. For my feature article I will need four main characters one being female and I will also need to set up a match play situation with around 14 to 22 players. Fourfourtwo use a lot of highly emotive action shots, so I’m going to need to catch shots of my characters looking intense and playing football. As well as this I’m going to need to take shots of the match play situation I’m going to organise. The content of the article will be focused around the feeling of getting signed to a premiership football club and the prejudices faced being a female footballer. Chelsea FC have been accused of buying their way to success and criticised for not producing that many young, fresh and exciting English players. This article will promote Chelsea FC’s ideologies as being hardworking and very patriotic, which my critical investigation shows is very important in sports, they will gain a positive reputation from this and in turn more fans meaning more profit. Given the fact that Fourfourtwo is a football magazine I’m going to need access to a football pitch as well as footballs and a lot of Chelsea FC gear to keep the creditability of the article. Fourfourtwo maintain a high quality of images so therefore I’m going to have to use a top quality camera and only take still images as video footage won’t produce the required quality. I plan to create my article on InDesign and edit my images on Photoshop because they are both actually used by magazine production companies and therefore allow for professional standards.

YEAR 12 - Your EXAM Case Study.. The Work Starts NOW....

Cross Media Case Study

You must walk into the exam with a thorough investigation of three media texts from the BROADCAST platform.

* They must all be linked in that they explore THE FAMILY.

* Although they are based primarily on the Broadcast platform, you must investigate how they use 'synergy' and utilise the Print and E-Media platforms also.

* Final outcome - You must submit a presentation on your case study - using media production skills (powerpoint, voice narration / audio - video clips etc)

.................................................................................................................................................................

For your presentation - ALL Steps MUST be completed fully (For each TEXT!) - How you choose to do this is up to you. (suggestions are above)

STEPS - You must show evidence of all of this work.

Choose a text that explores THE FAMILY on Broadcast Fiction.

Analyse the audience, institution, representations and media language of that text (MIGRAIN)

Then you'll need to find out all you can about how and where it was promoted, looking at print, moving image and e-media. 

Lots of close analysis of the website(s) - what audiences (note the plural) are different elements of the sites aimed at etc.

Then look at promotion in print: magazines and newspaper reviews but also any other promotions involving the stars or competitions connected. 

Then you'll need to consider any other promotions in moving image, (trailer(s) but also on-the-sofa interviews on Breakfast TV / late night shows etc. 

Add to that anything else - the use of any other e-media / new technology promotions - endorsements etc.

Keep relating all of these back to how the text is aiming for the widest possible audiences (and therefore revenues!) and how it portrays THE FAMILY

........................................................................................................................................................
Bringing all three texts together in your discussion :

How are texts in the three platforms constructed?

• Are there similarities and differences in the way the area is dealt with in each platform?

• What type of media language is used and how?

• How are genre codes used?

• How do texts within the three platforms construct narrative?


How do audiences access texts across the three platforms?

• Do the texts enable different types of audience activity and/or interaction?

• Are audiences able to play a role in the construction of media texts? (UGC)

• Are there differences in the audience gratifications offered across the three platforms?


How are representations constructed and are there similarities and/or differences across the platforms?

• What values and ideologies are communicated within the representation?


What institutional issues are raised by the topic areas?

• How are institutions reacting to change in technology?

• How are institutions attempting to reach and engage their audiences?

• What economic issues are behind the construction and distribution of contemporary media texts?


Keywords/issues:
synergy, intertextuality, cross-media promotion, public service remit and other obligations, censorship & control, news and entertainment values, the technologies used in the production and reception process.

DEADLINE - TUESDAY 13TH

YEAR 13 - DRAFT ESSAY'S DUE! & Linked Production Starts!

Hi all,

Please remember that your draft essay is due this week Wednesday 30th Nov 

- You should come to lesson with it printed out and ready to submit.
- Also have it uploaded onto your blog with the title Full Draft Essay
- Please include a word count - must be between 1900 and 2100 words ONLY
- You must have a bibliography (see example of layout in previous posts)

- Do not cut corners here - this is 50% of your final grade! Do the work!



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Next lesson you will be asked to present on your LINKED PRODUCTION IDEA! Remember your production should be directly connected to the topic you have researched. There should be a clear 'link e.g If I did a research project on the impact of music videos on girls, I could do a website/article of an obsessed fan who dreams of being a video vixen illustrating how she was influenced by videos and the negative effect they have had on her. OR I could do a website/article of an artist (that I create) and how they strive to make positive videos that inspire and motivate people.


- So you should have decided what platform you will work on.
- What text type you will be creating 
- Have at least 3 different ideas of what type of content your chosen text will have 
- Decide whether you will be subverting your topic or conforming to your topic, 

All these decisions should be made and ready for exploration.

YEAR 12 - Untouchables Editing Analysis

Watch the scene from The Untouchables at least 2 times (taking notes on the second viewings).

On your blog, write a definition for the word 'suspense'

Then answer the following questions:

1. How is editing used to build suspense in the scene?
2. How is time 'expanded' through the use of editing as the pram falls down the steps?

Consider the effect of:
Long takes
Cuts to point of view shots
Fast cutting
cross cutting

Year 12 - My Mums New Boyfriend - Trailer Analysis

Answer the following questions in detail on the following trailer

1: Media Forms: How does the trailer use media language to estabilsh the film's genre

2: Media Representations: How is 'The Family' represented in this trailer

3: Media Institutions: What Hollywood values can you identify in this trailer

4: Media Audiences: In what ways does the trailer promote the film to its target audience?

Year 12 - Should Big Media Institutions Work Together

Watch this bbc report video:


Now read this article about the launch of Murdoch's 'iNewspaper' carefully then answer the following questions in detail on your blog: (The title should be the same as this blog post)


 1: Why are Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch working together on this joint venture? What will be the benefits for each of them? Could collaborating present any disadvantages for either Murdoch or Jobs?



2: How will other media institutions be affected by the introduction of the Daily for the iPad?


3: Write a definition for the term synergy. Is the Daily an example of synergy? Explain.


4: Write a definition for the term convergence. Is the Daily an example of convergence? Explain.


5: Which other newspapers have successfully launched web editions? (Embed pictures of their websites in your answer)


6: Why is Murdoch "running counter to current thinking" regarding online newspapers?


7: The Daily is intended to combine "a tabloid sensibility with a broadsheet intelligence". Explain what this means.


8: A survey found that "...readers spent more time immersed in their iPads than they did – comparatively speaking — on the internet, where unfocused surfing is typical." Why do you think this is?


9: What are the advantages and disadvantages of this collaboration between News Corporation and Apple for the audience/consumer? Explain your ideas in as much detail as possible.


9: Has The Daily been a success? Why/Why not?

Tweet Away....The Fun and Power of Twitter....

Twitter - The Story Circle

I will start a conversation off and then in seat order you have to respond and keep the conversation going.... (make sure you are following everyone in class!) 





TWITTER is one of the most powerful social engagement tools out there. Today you will spend some time exploring how useful it can be for research and exposure.

1: If you have a smart phone - please make sure that you are signed up to recive SMS notification from Media1st (Go to my profile page and click on the phone icon under the name - right hand side - then sign up there)

2: Make sure you are following 3 key public figures/companies from
- Politics
- Press
- TV
- Film
- Education
- Reality TV
- University 
- Connected to your Career plans
- Connected to your hobbies/ interests


3:  Create a 'Media' list on Twitter
- Add all other A level students to it (you can just add everyone that Media1st follows)
- Add @Mashable  - @adage -


4: Have a look at the Public Timeline for Twitter
https://twitter.com/public_timeline

- Write about 3 things that you notice regarding the current conversations, topics, styles, on the timeline
- Is there anyone whose profile you are interested in viewing (go on) - Are they worth following...

5: Tweet 3 quotes/sayings that you find inspirational
- Retweet - 3 tweets from people you follow
- Respond to 5 tweets in your timeline

YEAR 12 - The Depiction of Family in Brick Lane

Write a 400 word analysis on the depiction of Family in the Film Brick Lane.

Please make sure you interweave ALL the Key concepts into your analysis
Remember CRITICAL AUTOMONY - so try and come at things from a fresh and unique point of view.
Add your word count to the bottom of your post.

YEAR 13 - It's CI Essay Time!

Now that you have done such amazingly thorough research work around your topic, it is time to now bring that all together and start formulating your actual 2000 word essays.

PLEASE WRITE A COMMENT UNDER THIS POST REFLECTING ON WHERE YOU STAND WITH YOUR TOPIC AND THE KEY THINGS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNT AND WILL USE MOVING FORWARD.  (Then copy and paste in the url of your blog) 

(Remember you don't have to write a straight essay! You could present your topic in an entirely different way.....)

Please look carefully at your coursework booklets as multiple deadlines are about to hit.

You have

TASK 4 =  Detailed CI Essay Plan (5 Part Formal Essay/Presentation/Commentary) You MUST address the Mark Criteria in your plan. DEADLINE = 16th November 2011 Regardless of your presentation Format. Your report must equal to approximately 2000 words. (look at examples to see expectations.) Submission of draft Bibliography (items planned to be included)

Task 5 = Submission of Full DRAFT 1. Using ALL your research, complete your Critical Investigation Essay.                                                                DEADLINE = 30th November 2011 You must use formal language/ technical language and show evidence of ALL the work that you have done. (look at examples to see expectations.)  Submission of full and final Bibliography (items actually cited)

But you also have......

Linked Production

* FINALISE IDEA:                                  DEADLINE = 30th November  2011 Your production must have a DIRECT/CLEAR link to your CI topic. (You can either demonstrate the issue or subvert the conventions you have discovered) Read the Mark Criteria for this section. Does your idea allow for level 4 marks?

YEAR 13 - Tasks 1, 2, 3 - ** DUE NOW **

Dear A2s

Tasks 1, 2 and 3 are now DUE and should be reflected on your blog.

* Please Call each blog post Task(?) and the appropriate name.

* Your blog should reflect EVERYTHING you have done to date,

* Where you have work in your folder - you should make reference to this on your blog, so we know to look there.

* By the end of today - I will give you a mark based on WHAT IS ON YOUR BLOG! Ensure that there are no gaps otherwise you will be faced with forced catch up sessions and that's just embarrassing.

ANY issues - Get in touch with me (Tweet/email/Comment below) - A reminder of what is in your assignment booklet is below:

PLEASE WRITE 'COMPLETED' as a comment when you have finished this!

TASK 1 = Contemporary TEXTUAL ANALYSIS  (+ relevant Historical textual analysis)                                             DEADLINE = 19th October  2011 Decide on the main text(s) for your CI. Do DETAILED thorough (wide date ranging) textual MIGRAIN analysis of the text(s) * Ensure that you address ALL platforms in your analysis of the text. *Gather lots of Material/track  hourly work log/keep a blog journal of reflections as you proceed.

TASK 2 = BOOK/ARTICLE RESEARCH                                            DEADLINE = 2nd November  2011 Present a detailed study on the theories and viewpoints that surround your topic. What are the issues and debates concerning your CI -Who– What- Why-How *Gather lots of Material/track  hourly work log/keep a blog journal of reflections as you proceed.

TASK 3 =  INTERNET/WEB RESEARCH DEADLINE = 9th November 2011 Present a detailed study into the online sites that contribute to your topic. They should be cross-cultural and wide-ranging in terms of ‘author’ and scope. *Gather lots of Material/track  hourly work log/keep a blog journal of reflections as you proceed.

YEAR 12 (HW) - Media Mag Conference Review - (+work for those who missed it)

Dear Students

Please complete the following for Homework: - Due Tuesday 15th November 

Blog Post Title = Media Magazine Conference 5/11/11

Formally write up (in detail) ALL your notes from the Conference: - Yes Chris! -

* Include a precise summary of the different sections/topics and speakers and then
* The Key things you took away from it.

* Research 1 speaker from the event - Present your findings.
* Research 1 topic/theme discussed - present your findings.

 Once you have finished - write "Completed" as a comment to this post! 

(I get an email notification when you do this and I will be able to check your work!)

........................................................................................................................................

Dear Jack and Rahsaan

Since you missed the conference complete the following task instead -

Blog Post Title = Student Demonstrations - The Media's Story  

Research and write a 600 word report on your findings concerning:
"How the Media's Reported The Student Demonstrations" - (that took place on the 9th November 2011) 

This is due on Tuesday 15th November. 

Once you have finished this - write "Completed" as a comment to this post! 

(I get an email notification when you do this and I will be able to check your work!)

YEAR 12 - Film Industry Questions

On your own blog, Start a new post entitled - Film Overview -

With full, exam style answers, complete the following two sections of work:

SECTION A

1: List the stages a film goes through from the initial idea to exhibition in the cinema.
Use this Website To help You 
 (DO NOT JUST COPY THE TEXT OUT)

2: What is film distribution? Write a careful explanation.

3: What was the Hollywood 'studio system' in the 1930's and 40's?

4: In what ways is the process of film production, distribution and exhibition different today?

5: Write a definition of the following and give two examples for each term:

• Horizontal integration
• Vertical integration

 6: Once you have finished - write "Completed" as a comment to this post! 

(I get an email notification when you do this and I will be able to check your work!)

SECTION B:

1. Select a film produced by Twentieth Century Fox for exhibition in the UK (www.foxmovies.com)

2. Research the many different ways it is brought to the attention of an audience through the use of other media companies associated with Fox and News Corporation. Remember, bad publicity is often as useful as good publicity.

3: Also consider what additional tie-ins are used to promote the film, for example, links with fast-food chains, toy companies, mobile phone companies and/ or computer game manufacturers. Post all your research on your blog.

4. Prepare a visually creative 3 minute powerpoint presentaton about your findings to present to the class.

5: Save your slides as images (You press cmd/shift/3 to take a print screen on a Mac computer)  - CROP them and upload to your blog post

 6: Once you have finished - write another "Completed" as a comment to this post! 

(I get an email notification when you do this and I will be able to check your work!)

Under no circumstances is any of this work to be left undone - If you get stuck, FIND a WAY around it! I expect that this work is all completed by the end of your Lesson Today!  If I do not get two "Completed" from you, and do not see the quality results on your blogs, I'm afraid you will have some serious explaining to do - in CCC

YEAR 13 - Assessment Week - Tasks

Hi all

This week is your first assessment week. My expectations are:

1: That your blogs are up to date and show a weekly digest of work and progress made (since the start of term) - You can work backwards and reflect on what you have covered in Media each week (in both classes)

2: That you have been using Twitter/Blog regularly and effectively.  (Make sure you have followed all Media students on both the blogs and on Twitter)

3: That you have met the following deadline for your MEST 4:


BLOG Submission TITLE = Contemporary TEXTUAL ANALYSIS (+ relevant Historical textual analysis)  

Show evidence on your blog that you have done this. (You should take print screens / pictures of your work and upload them as images into the blog post) 

DEADLINE = 19^th October   

Do a DETAILED thorough (wide date ranging) textual MIGRAIN analysis of the text(s)

* Ensure that you address ALL platforms in your analysis of the text.

*Gather lots of visual material both hard copy and online.

* Track  hourly work log/keep a blog journal of reflections as you proceed. 

YEAR 13 - MY Investigation will be on

Create a Blog Post with this title: (My Critical Investigation Idea)

*Answer the following questions

1:  What were your three possible investigation options
- Why did these three interest you?

2: What have you settled on

**Lay out your initial ideas for your Critical Investigation and Linked Production.

1: Outline the Text and Topic to be investigated

2: Outline an idea for a linked production piece

3: List at least 3 Media texts that you could bring into your investigation

4: Apply a quick overview of MIGRAIN to your idea.

5: What are the issues and debates surrounding these two texts?

6: State why you believe the 2 texts fit the 'contemporary media landscape'.

7: Discuss the reason this topic area resonates so deeply with you?

(add a MEST4 label to your post)