Critical Perspectives in Media Theoretical Evaluation of Production Aim: To understand the requirements of Section A of the Critical Perspectives Exam

The Exam There are 2 questions: The first requires you to describe and evaluate your skills development over the course of your production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The second asks you to identify one production and evaluate it in relation to one theoretical concept.

Question 1 (a) Question 1(a) requires candidates to describe and evaluate their skills development over the course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The focus of this evaluation must be on skills development, and the question will require them to adapt this to one or two specific production practices. The list of practices to which questions will relate is as follows: Digital Technology Creativity Research and planning Post-production Using conventions from real media texts In the examination, questions will be posed using one or two of these categories. Where candidates have produced relevant work outside the context of their A Level media course, they are free to additionally refer to this experience.

Question 1 (b) Question 1(b) requires candidates to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media concept. The list of concepts to which questions will relate is as follows: Genre Narrative Representation Audience Media language In the examination, questions will be set using one of these concepts only. In some circumstances, candidates will be expected to select the production that appears to relate most effectively to the specific concept that arises in the exam question. However, the requirement for candidates to evaluate one of their productions in relation to a concept does not assume that the concept will necessarily always fit easily and in an orthodox way.

Question 1A The focus of this evaluation must be on skills development.

What are the skill areas? In groups- Identify your own skills; strengths and weaknesses. E.g. Strength: time management Weakness/difficulty: ability to analyse existing media products.

Questions to reflect on. In groups, with a main skill area, brainstorm questions you should ask of yourselves. For example with Digital Technology: How did the software allow be to achieve my ideas/concept? Feedback.

BE REFLECTIVE Some reflective phrases. In hindsight…. I took inspiration from…. Upon reflection…. An area I could have developed….. An aspect I would like to pursue…. A possible strength of the work A possible area of weakness of the work

Other top tips for question 1A My tip would be to compare the AS magazine and A2 film trailer. I wouldn’t really focus on the ancillary tasks. Discuss the skills you developed and how they might cross over (e.g. creativity developed through using digital technology). Talk in lots of detail about your work (e.g. describe the design and layout of your front cover). Reference some theory (subverted real media conventions = my work was post-modern? Mention “real” media you were influenced by Provide relevant specific detail, for example: –details of websites used for research and planning –camera types used for digital technology –software used for editing

Question 1B Select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media concept.

TIME FOR A TEST!

Genre Genre works within conventions…..and what two other aspects? What are the repertoire of elements? What is iconography? What is the problem with iconography for some film genres? What does subvert and conform mean? What is a sub-genre and what is a hybrid genre?

Narrative How would you define narrative? What does linearity mean? What does exposition mean? What is Todorov’s theory of narrative? What about Levi-Strauss? And Propp?

Audience What are socio-economic demographics? What are psychographics? In films, what kinds of film need little marketing? What is Hall’s reception theory? What is use and gratifications theory? What about the hypodermic needle? How has web 2.0 had an impact on 21 st century audiences?

Representation What are stock types/archetypes? What does ‘representational construct’ mean? What does dominant ideology refer to? What is the difference between overt and covert messages? What is post-feminism and what impact has it had on gender issues? What is post-colonial theory and what impact has it had on ethnicity?

Media Language Briefly define postmodernism. What is the difference between parody and pastiche? Name 3 other postmodern aspects that you can apply to media products. What is the difference between denotation and connotation? What does metonym mean? What do we mean by micro aspects?

Know Your Work! Both questions in this exam require you to really know your work. By now you should have copied your print work and pasted it onto a word or PowerPoint doc (or printed them off). You should also have your trailer easily accessible so that you can compare. Your work is the basis of this exam- so revise it!!!

Read A grade question 1A and 1B.