GCSE MEDIA STUDIES

What is Media Studies? Television Film Radio Internet Newspapers Magazines Advertising Music Industry

Would I enjoy Media Studies? Yes, if you … have an interest in the world of the media. would like to know more about the organisations that produce the media and the audiences who consume it. would like to understand the huge influence the media has over every day life. would like to produce your own media texts.

What skills will Media Studies Develop? The ability to analyse any media text with a critical and inquiring eye. The ability to demonstrate your understanding of the media both theoretically and practically. The confidence to express your views in both small group and whole class situations. The ability to carry out individual research and to present your findings in a variety of ways. The ability, both individually and as part of a group to use a variety of technical equipment to produce your own media texts. The ability to evaluate the success of your own work.

How is the course structured? 60% controlled assessment 40% exam This is the last year when so much of the grade will come from coursework

What will the controlled assessments be? In year 10 you will produce; - 2 smaller assignments which make up 15% of your final grade. - 1 practical assignment which makes up 15% of your final grade. In year 11 you will produce; - 1 big assignment that combines a practical production with a detailed research and planning portfolio and makes up 30% of your final grade.

What sort of topics will I study for these assessments? Each of the four assignments will cover a different area of the media. Year 10 Assignment 1 – advertising Assignment 2 – the film industry. Assignment 3 (practical) – a music video. Year 11 The practical work and presentation will be in response to a brief relating to the contemporary media world e.g. Challenging the negative representation of young people in the media.

Assignment One Advertising

Assignment Two Film Promotion

Assignment Three Music Video Example

Unit 4 Responding to a Media Brief

Pros and cons of living your life ‘on line’

Linked TV Ad

What happens in the exams? Unit 1 – Investigating the Media (20% of final mark) You will be tested on one topic which you have studied in detail. You will be given the paper 4 weeks ahead of the test day. You will be expected to fully prepare your response which, like everything you have done before will be a mixture of theory and practice – Marketing and promotion of Computer Games TV News 2016 – Sci-fi film genre Unit 3 – Exploring Media Industries (20% of final mark) Section A – short answers based on a local media organisation you have visited and studied. Section B – slightly longer answers based on media stimulus (e.g. newspaper article).

Bonus prize! This is a double award course which means ….. You get TWO GCSE’s at the end!