1. Media Studies
Induction, 25th June, 2015

2. Outline of the course AS (stand alone or 50% of the A Level)
Mest 1 – 50% of the AS (25% overall) - 2 hour exam
Section A: 4 questions about an unseen media text covering media forms, institution, audience and representation
Section B: A choice of 2 questions about a case study prepared in advance
Mest 2 – 50% of the AS (25% overall) – coursework
A response to a brief given by the exam board where you will need to research, plan, construct and evaluate a media campaign

3. Outline of the course A2 (50% of the A Level)
Mest 3 – 50% of the A2 (25% overall) - 2 hour exam
Section A: 3 questions based on two unseen texts.
Section B: One essay style response from a choice of four questions concerned with issues of identities in the media & The Impact of New Media and Digital Technology
Mest 4 – 50% of the A2 (25% overall) - coursework
Critical Investigation – 2000 word critical essay
Linked Production

4. Stationery Requirements
You will need to purchase a lever arch file and at least 10 dividers (these can be picked up really cheaply from places like ‘The Works’)
You will also need A4 hole punched paper which can be put into a file
For coursework tasks, you’ll need access to a camera (though most smart phones now have good enough cameras)
Pens (black/blue/red)

5. How is what we read in the media influenced by the world around us?
TASK 1: Look at the examples on the desk and in small groups, rank them in order of who AT THE TIME OF THE IMAGE, will have been held in the highest esteem.
TASK 2: Now, look back at this order and re-rank them using your own opinion (I’ll say no more than that!). You must be able to justify your ideas. Where does your opinion come from?
What have you learnt about how we decode images?
ENCODE: The meaning put into a media text (how producers try to make audiences think or feel a certain way)
DECODE: The meaning taken from a text by the audience, which is dependent on our experiences, media and the wider world around us

6. Bridging work – Media Studies
Over summer, you should choose a 2 minute sequence from one film of your choice (any genre) and analyse the mise-en-scene (everything in the frame). Use the sheet to help you if you’re unsure on key terms.
You need to consider the impact/effect of this e.g. The lighting is high key which suggests a positive atmosphere and comfortable relationship between the family
In September, you will present these film clips to the class with your analysis.
You must be able to supply this clip, so it could be on YouTube, DVD, Netflix etc, but you are responsible for ensuring you have it available to watch in class

7. Final Tips
Ensure you purchase your stationery before arriving in September, (lever arch files, dividers, lined and hole punched A4 pad, pens, calculator) – put the Media Language sheet I have given you in this so that it’s there as a guide at all times.
File notes after EVERY lesson
Complete all reading asked of you – we will tell you what to read in advance