MEDIA STUDIES AS/A2 Entry requirements: English C, English Literature C

What does Year 12 involve? Exam Preparation A 2 ½ hour exam worth 50% of your overall grade. Three questions. The first of which is based on unseen material. Coursework Production coursework worth 50% of overall grade. This includes: Pre- production, Production and a 1500 report. Magazine covers, film posters, DVD covers.

Yeah, OK, but what do I study? For the exam: Various media texts (Film, TV and Advertising for example) in different forms in order to learn about the three key concepts: GENRE REPRESENTATION AUDIENCE

So, for example… You could be focusing on the representation of women in Black Swan and Dolce & Gabanna’s (banned) advert.

Or… representation of social issues in Slumdog Millionaire and This is England

What about coursework? It is likely that you will undertake one of the following options should you choose Media Studies. For example: A script or story board for the opening sequence of a teen horror film (preproduction) and a marketing campaign for a new teen horror film, to include at least the DVD cover and one poster (production) Draft designs for two magazine front covers (pre- production) and a double page spread for one of those magazines (production)

Creative work and written responses Your exam will be handwritten. In preparation for your exam, you will have to write short essays (exam responses). You must be equipped to write a solid exam response and this does require practice and a good level of literacy skills. Coursework is completed using Photoshop. Art and Photography are excellent subjects to complement Media Studies.

Termly visiting speakers as part of Media in the Real World Every half term you will have a speaker from the world of media. Last summer term, a double BAFTA award winning Film and TV Director. Last half term, founders of ‘The Wire’, Digital Media PR and Marketing business. Next Thursday, an ex-national newspaper news journalist who is now a successful ghost writer (incl: Long Way Down, Route 66 with Billy Connolly) and author.

In the longer term… A sixth form trip to London to the BFI, National Film theatre and a magazine publishing house. The opportunity to organise and run your own Media Studies magazine.

What can I do with Media Studies at A2 and undergraduate level?

MEDIA STUDIES… You know it makes sense. (If you want more info or a chat about the course, come and see me in E6.) Thanks for your attention.