• Its that time of the year again. You have finished your amazing coursework productions. You are feeling happy with yourself, no stress, no more filming or photoshop, no worries !

     But then you realise you have to write, at length, about what exactly it is that you have created and all those accidental mistakes you thought looked kind of nice need to be explained and justified as if you are the new Media demi-god of 2015.  That CD cover that took you exactly 3.5 minutes to make (see above) needs to be talked about as if it was made over a creative process lasting decades not seconds!

     Fear not! There are a variety of ways in which you can approach this task :
    - Essay style answers
     - Video Diaries
    - Focus Groups (think about how you will evidence what is said)
    - Presentations
     - Animations
    - Interviews
     and loads more!

     The first thing you need to do is find 4 or 5 other student evaluations from the internet and read / watch them and think about why you think they are successful 
    To do this type in to google either:

     G321 AS MEDIA EVALUATION (maybe add 'foundation portfolio')
     or

     G324 A2 Media evaluation (maybe add 'advanced portfolio')
     -------------------


     The next step is to actually think about the questions:

     So what are the questions?

    At AS there are seven:

    1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of film openings)
     2. How does your media product represent particular social groups ?
     3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
     4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
     5. How did you attract/address your audience?
     6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
     7. Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?


     and at A2 there are four, which as you can see, contain some overlap with AS, but for which there is an expectation of a greater level of sophistication.


     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 new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?


     A great article to help you get started with this is here : http://petesmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/evaluation-for-ocr-coursework.html

    Another great place for help if you are an AS student is the current year13s' last year blogs which can be found on this blog on the right hand side (look at Safwana's , Yagmurs and Selcan's in particular)




    You need to have a rough copy of your answers for each question written out by the time we come back from Easter.

     You will eventually be presenting your final product and your evaluation as a whole class presentation.

     If you have any questions then leave a comment on this post

     Thanks

  • Task 1:

    Read this Article: 


    Then briefly  explain what the author has talked about in each of these sections. (Write thsi down in a sort of essay plan


    1. Intro: 
    2. Main arguments 'For the internet'
    3. Main Arguments against the internet
    4. Case studies?
    5. Conclusion

    Do you agree with her arguments ? The next thing you need to do is leave a comment on the bottom of the page. Yes that's right comment ! Actually use web2.0 to say something ! 

    the person who's comment gets the most likes or generates the most online response by next week is the winner! 

    TASK 2 :

    Read this article (and look at the amazing photos!)

    https://medium.com/matter/is-the-internet-good-or-bad-yes-76d9913c6011

    Make notes under these headings


    1. Surveillance
    2. Protest
    3. Gezi Park case study


    Before you read decide your answer to the initial question. By the end have you changed or altered your opinion.


    Machines of loving grace documentary:

    https://vimeo.com/groups/96331/videos/80799353



  • Here is another useful resource for we media, worth a read

    http://www.hypergene.net/wemedia/download/we_media.pdf

    I will try and post up here more we media theories and links when i get time, especially counter arguments.

    But you know , you could actually do this yourselves !

    Crazy idea i know !

    you could try this as an interetsing case study: the hacking group anonymous and how they are trying to take down ISIS:

    http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/10/anonymous-claims-victory-over-jihadi-twitter-accounts-in-opisis

    Forget democracy a full war over the internet!



  • During the first half of period 5today you need to : Use your phones to capture 5-6 phone interviews people talking about the content of your blog and the pages you have made so far.

     In TV News these are called 'Vox-pops' just little clips of people giving their opinion to camera. If they don't want their faces to appear on camera then just record their voices.

     You will need these clips in the following half of the lesson so its important you do this well.

     Ask them questions that will lead to constructive answers about your work so far and the work you hope to do in the future.


     NOTE: You need to work in places that are away from the corridors as this doesn't give you permission to walk around schools using your phones as you please.


    EXTENSION WORK: 

    If you finish this then try and upload them to your blog and leave 5 comments on other student blogs.
  • Over half term you shoudl be starting to research your Double Page Spreads.

    Find 10 examples you like. There about 5 or 6 in every magazine issue, so this shouldn't be difficult.
    Post them on your blog and underneath


    1: Explain what appeals to you about them.
    2; What do you think are the main conventions used on a DPS?
    3: What, in your opinion, does not work well on a DPS?


    If you want to start doing your sketches and plans for a DPS then fine. But remember we also have to write the article / interview for this, so make sure you read lots of DPSs also !






  • unconditional rebel - siska from Guillaume Panariello on Vimeo.


    Just saw this on vimeo and thought it might provoke some ideas.

    How do you think they made it?
  • THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER


    So we have talked about Andrew Keen before but now he has a new book out about why he still really hates the internet. Its essentially writing your essay counter arguments for you so you could do with buying his book and memorising it !

    Instead here is an article about it:
     Read it !

    http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/09/andrew-keen-internet-not-answer-interview


  • So last week we looked at arguments against the Rise of We Media:

    From THE LAST WORD
    At the 2005 TED Conference, Kevin Kelly told the Silicon Valley crowd that we have a moral obligation to develop technology. “Imagine Mozart before the technology of the piano,” he said. “Imagine Van Gogh before the technology of affordable oil paints. Imagine Hitchcock before the technology of film.”
    But technology doesn’t create human genius. It merely provides new tools for self-expression. And if the democratized chaos of user-generated Web 2.0 content ends up replacing mainstream media, then there may not be a way for the Mozarts, Van Goghs, and Hitchcocks of the future to effectively distribute or sell their creative work.
    Instead of developing technology, I believe that our real moral responsibility is to protect mainstream media against the cult of the amateur. We need to reform
    rather than revolutionize an information and entertainment economy that, over the last two hundred years, has reinforced American values and made our culture the
    envy of the world. Once dismantled, I fear that this professional media—with its rich ecosystem of writers, editors, agents, talent scouts, journalists, publishers, musicians, reporters, and actors—can never again be put back together. We destroy it at our peril.
    So let’s not go down in history as that infamous generation who, intoxicated by the ideal of democratization, killed professional mainstream media. Let’s not be remembered for replacing movies, music, and books with YOU! Instead, let’s use technology in a way that encourages innovation, open communication, and progress, while simultaneously preserving professional standards of truth, decency, and creativity. That’s our moral obligation. It’s our debt to both the past and the future.


    But today we looked at Edward Snowden and the discussion aroudn whistleblowers in a social media democracy:



  • Here you can ifnd ideas, links and resources to help you build up decent arguments against the positive, collaborative, web 2.0 culture :

    http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/

    http://consumerist.com/2009/02/15/facebooks-new-terms-of-service-we-can-do-anything-we-want-with-your-content-forever/


    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/books/29book.html?_r=0







  • These are a couple of years out of date. Read them so you understand the main arguments but then try and find up to date examples and stats.


    useful link for terminology :





    revision-booklet-film-industry from mrsloan

    You want your essays to be like the one below !!




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

    I thought i may as well put the TV drama revision book in again just for good measure !!

  • So using this type of chart for your notes try and analyse this clip in exam conditions


    Here is the vid of me talking you through the exam: 
    Hotel Bablyon analysis from Mr Sloan on Vimeo.





    Here is the clip i want you to try and analyse for homework: 


  • Contents page Must haves ! :
    1.                       5 professional examples with description of why this is useful for you.
    2.                       List of conventions of contents pages
    3.                       Flat plan design sketches (at least 3)
    4.                       Plan of photo shoots for contents images

    5.                       Fonts and house style design choices 

    Try not to rip this idea off too much though as every year people steal this (see below) contents page layout idea. 

    Be creative ! 




  • So as a follow up to the analysis and conversations we had today around different effects in contemporary videos here is another example:



    How have they used :

    Narrative

    Colour ( filters)

    Post production effects

    Lighting

    Performance


    ???

    Could you use any of these techniques?
  • Ancillary Tasks for the Music Video Project:

    Your overall brief is :
    1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together
    with two of the following three options:
    • a website homepage for the band;
    • a digipak for the album’s release;
    • a magazine advertisement for the digipak.

    They are worth 10 marks each (of your overall mark out of 100).

    “Within the section of the main task, centres should consider the relationship between the tasks and ensure that a sense of brand identity across the package is evident”

    Level 4 (9 – 10 marks)
    The candidate is expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:
    • shooting material appropriate to the task set; including controlled use of the camera, attention to framing, variety of shot sizes and close attention to mise en scene
    • editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer and making selective and appropriate use of shot transitions, captions and other effects
    • recording and editing sound with images appropriately.


    Where a candidate has worked in a group, an excellent contribution to construction is evident.

    There are some examples of student work below, although not necessarily level 4 stuff ! 





  • Probably the most ysueful resource available for students of AS media preparing for a film industry essay

    Go through this and pick out 10- 20 statistics and facts that you can use to wow the examiner!




    If you cant view what you need to here you can use this link to acces the pdf:

    http://www.emagcloud.com/incorporatedesign/BFI_StatisticalYearBook_2014/pubData/source/BFI%20StatisticalYearBook_2014.pdf


    I have also put here a really useful overview of teh course from another school which you could lok through at your leisure as it explains most elements of the course quite nicely (their case study of shifty though is outdated so we need another:





  • Its clear that that Film Distribution is an area you guys are struggling with:

    Sloan is here to help... here are some links.. again to find this information what i did was an incredibly difficult series of challenges..

    1. type in google : 'Film Distribution'
    2. Done

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/distribution/distribution
    THE BEST INSIGHT INTO WHAT DISTRIBUTION ACTUALLY  IS . READ THIS


    http://www.indiewire.com/article/a2e-at-the-2013-san-francisco-international-film-festival


    Is Direct Distribution the Future for Indie Film? Notes From A2E at the 2013 San Francisco International Film Festival



    How to distribute independent films internationally

    An industry insider perspective of how to get the best deal for your film

    The 'nitty-gritty' of how distribution actually works





    OK, so there is no reason now for you to ever complain that you dont know what film distribution is.
    What you need to do know is ...

    Can you explain how your case study films were distributed?
    Can you show a difference between how hollywood films and independent films are distributed?
    Can you find interesting and unique examples of any films that have been distributed in interesting new ways ?
    Can you explain any problems in distribution film companies are having ?


    This website is excellent for up to date case studies :
    http://www.launchingfilms.com/


  • So for all of you who couldnt be bothered to research a single independent film for your recent exam here is my attempt. Can i just also make you aware that this took me less than 10 minutes and all i did was type in :
    'Selfish Giant case study' into google. Its not exactly rocket science and you are expected, as an A level student. to be able to 'research' as opposed to 'copy what you teacher gives you' !!

    The Selfish Giant came out in 2013, here is the trailer:

    You can actually watch the film on youtube for £1.99 if you go here : its brilliant and well worth the money
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kQ9GwBGTEY

    There is a good prezi here  too:
    https://prezi.com/kpls_fdsd-g2/the-selfish-giant/#

    The Selfish Giant Case Study

    1. UK release date? 25th October 2013
    2. Institutions behind the film’s production and distribution?

    Production Companies

    BFI Film Fund
    Film4 (Funding)
    Moonspun Films

    Distributors

    Cinéart (2014) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
    Pyramide Distribution (2013) (France) (theatrical)
    Sundance Selects (2013) (USA) (theatrical)
    Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2014) (United Arab Emirates) (all media) (Middle East, North Africa & Iran)
    Kurmaca Film (2013) (Turkey) (all media)
    Rialto Distribution (2013) (Australia) (all media)
    Rialto Distribution (2013) (New Zealand) (all media)
    3. What’s the film’s production budget? £1.4 Million
    4. Nationality of the film? British
    5. What kind of production is it? Indie Film
    6. Any connection with other films? None
    7. Who’s the director? Clio Barnard
    8. Any star names in the cast? No well known names
    9. What’s the film about? A contemporary fable about two scrappy 13-year-old working-class friends in the UK who seek fortune by getting involved with a local scrap dealer and criminal, leading to tragic consequences.   

    What marketing techniques does the Selfish Giant film use? Posters, social media, website etc.
    Facebook




    Twitter



    Official Website


    Posters



    Which cinemas was this film exhibited in?

    The first exhibition was on the 16thMay 2013 Cannes Film Festival in France. These are the current plays to watch the film in the UK.



    What is the release pattern for this film i.e. when did it open in the countries it was shown?

    The release date in the UKand Irelandis 25 October 2013. Other than the showing at film festivals it is also is being released in France (18thDecember 2013) Netherlands(30th January 2014) and Sweden (14th March 2014). 

    Find examples of some positive quotes from film reviews.

    The Selfish Giant is a stunning film, almost literally so in the sense that it leaves you dazed with its forensic and uncompromising depiction of Britain on the breadline, as well as it’s achingly sad ending- Daily MailThe Selfish Giant is one of the great modern British films- Finical Times


    A terrific human drama about two boys about to be consigned to the scrapheap, with standout performances from its young leads-Empire Magazine



    What is the budget?    The budget for the film was£1.4million.

    Who are the distributors of The Selfish Giant and what other types of films have they distributed?The production companies are BFI Film Fund, Film 4(The main Funders) Moonspun Films. The distributors are Cinéart (Netherlands) Pyramide Distribution (France) Sundance Selects (USA) Front Row Filmed Entertainment (United Arab Emirates) Rialto Distribution (Australia) Rialto Distribution (New Zealand). Genuinely the distributors are for short films, they showcase new directors and actors for film festivals. Most of the distributors were theatrical specialising in dramatic pieces.


    What awards has it won?

    Cannes Film Festival 2013




    Won
    Label Europa Cinemas

    Clio Barnard


    London Film Festival 2013


    Nominated
    Best British Newcomer
    Actor
    Conner Chapman
    Actor
    Shaun Thomas
    Nominated
    Best Film
    Clio Barnard


    Warsaw International Film Festival 2013


    Nominated
    Competition 1-2 Award
    Clio Barnard


    there are some very useful links to slides below: 


    This one below in the link looks good although its blocked in school for some reason. :

    http://www.slideshare.net/Katrinabrookes/selfish-giant-production-notes?related=1





  •  This is a shark trying to eat a man . Its not real... its a film .. your exams however are real... very real and they are coming for you  !
    To help here are some examples of student who did well.. read them and do what they did !!


    Look and learn !

















  • Hi chaps, so this is some help for you in preparing for the section 1 part of the exam.

    Remember in the exam:

    §Section A- Theoretical Evaluation of Production
    ú2 compulsory questions
    úQ1a – about YOU – reflective evaluation of your skill development – AS & A2
    úQ1b – about THE WORK – concept analysis of either AS or A2 projects
    ú30 mins to write each answer – at least 2 sides per answer – write fast!
    §Section B – Contemporary Media Issues - Postmodern Media
    úChoice of 2 questions on WeMedia
    úAnswer 1 only
    ú1 hour to write answer – at least 4 sides
    úAnswers must focus on at least 2 media e.g. film and music video
    úAnswers must refer to the past, the present and predict for the future


    Below is a specimen paper from Question 1a and b and an example answer from a student who did fairly well. I have also put a slideshow that explains the basics of the exam (its from another school but its all the same information really).

    Remember the different categories of things that could come up are as follows :


    1a ) how have your skills developed in relation to :
    Digital Technology / Creativity / Planning + Research / Post production / Using conventions of real media texts

    1b) How has your product demonstrated use of :
    Genre  / Narrative / Representation / Audience / Media Language


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